Designers residing in the European Union can register from today for a competition to design the new euro banknotes. The European Central Bank is assembling a professional jury to evaluate the best designs later this year.
All EU residents can apply for the competition. However, there are strict requirements for participation, writes the European Central Bank (ECB). Candidates will be assessed based on their “qualifications and achievements”. Only then does the competition truly begin.
For the second phase of the design competition, the ECB has assembled a professional jury of experts. They will evaluate the design proposals from the candidates.
The race is not over yet. In early 2026, the professional jury will present a shortlist of the best designs for the banknotes. After that, the public can vote for the winners. At the end of next year, the Governing Council of the ECB will make the final decision and the definitive designs will be revealed.
Earlier this year, the central bank already revealed two themes for the new banknotes: European culture and Birds and rivers. The ECB has already determined which famous Europeans and European birds will appear on the notes.
According to the bank, it will take years after the competition before the new euro banknotes are put into circulation.