ECB invites Europeans to vote on future banknote designs as deadline approaches

The European Central Bank (ECB) is inviting citizens to vote on the future designs of euro banknotes, with the survey set to close next Monday. Over 9 million people have already cast their votes for the ten shortlisted designs, which include various cultural elements such as birds, rivers, and notable figures from European history.

ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone emphasized that cash remains an essential part of daily life, even in an increasingly cashless society, and that European citizens can contribute to shaping the appearance of future banknotes. The ECB has consulted Europeans about banknote redesigns before, but this is the first time it is conducting a survey to assess the ten shortlisted designs.

The proposed designs differ significantly from those currently in circulation. Despite the rise of digital payments, cash continues to play a crucial role, particularly during outages or disruptions to other payment methods. The ECB's Single Currency Package aims to strengthen the legal-tender status of cash and its mandatory acceptance throughout the EU.

The ECB is investing in both the redesign of banknotes and the development of the digital euro, which is expected to launch in 2029 if EU negotiations are completed by the end of 2026.