The European Central Bank (ECB) has narrowed down its selection of themes for the upcoming series of euro banknotes. The selected themes must align with two predefined concepts: “European Culture: Shared Cultural Spaces” and “Rivers and Birds: Diversity Means Resilience.”
The first theme emphasizes shared cultural spaces and notable Europeans, while the second highlights diversity, resilience, and the European Union’s commitment to nature conservation.
According to the ECB, the decision was based on an inclusive process, including input from two multidisciplinary expert groups from across the EU and suggestions gathered from over 365,000 EU citizens in a public survey.
Among the cultural figures selected for the banknotes are Maria Callas on the €5 note, Ludwig van Beethoven on the €10 note, Marie Curie on the €20 note, and Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Bertha von Suttner on the €50, €100, and €200 notes, respectively.
On the reverse of these notes, themes related to culture and art will be depicted, including street performers, classrooms with teachers and students, libraries, children and young people admiring modern street art, and a square covered by trees where adults and children walk, play, and converse.
For the “Rivers and Birds” theme, the €5 note will feature a mountain spring or a wagtail bird on a mountain landscape. Additional motifs include a waterfall with possibly a dragonfly over a river lake, and a €20 note showing a colony of bee-eater birds on a riverbank. Alternative designs for the €50, €100, and €200 notes will include a winding river with a white stork flying over it, a river delta with a marsh harrier flying over wetland terrain, and a maritime landscape with a northern gannet soaring above high ocean waves.
On the reverse of these notes, landmarks such as the European Parliament, the ECB itself, the European Court of Justice, the European Council, the Council of the EU, and the European Court of Auditors will be represented.
The ECB announced that a competition for the final visual design of the chosen motifs will be held later this year. Artists and designers from across the EU will be invited to participate, with the final decision on the designs to be made by the ECB’s Governing Council in 2026.
In addition to security considerations, the new series will aim to reduce the environmental impact of euro banknotes throughout their lifecycle and improve recognizability and inclusivity for all generations, particularly vulnerable groups such as the visually impaired.
