ECB unveils shortlist of new euro banknote designs
Bank invites public to share their views, offers vertical designs for first time
The European Central Bank has unveiled the 10 finalists in its banknote design competition.
ECB president Christine Lagarde showed off the proposals during a livestream on July 23, shortly after announcing the bank’s decision to hold rates at 2.25%.
Five of the new design sets feature the theme of “European culture”, while the others display “rivers and birds”. The ECB had narrowed the new designs down to these categories in 2023 and picked the final motifs in July 2025. The new notes are expected
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