The ECB will unveil new euro banknote designs at a public concert in Frankfurt on August 20, 2026, as part of its ongoing currency modernization effort
Executive summary: The ECB announced it will unveil ten finalist designs for new euro banknotes at a public concert in Frankfurt on August 20, 2026. The event advances the euro’s redesign process, which affects public perception, currency usability, and anti-counterfeiting measures across the eurozone.
Who is involved: European Central Bank, design firms Rubio & del Amo and Cruz más C, and the public via upcoming consultation.
Likely next: Public feedback will be collected via an online survey open until September 21, 2026, after which the ECB will select a winning design for production.
The European Central Bank announced it will present ten finalist designs for the next series of euro banknotes during a public event in Frankfurt on August 20, 2026. The designs include submissions from Spanish firms Rubio & del Amo and Cruz más C, among others. This follows a multi-year process that began with a public consultation and design competition, aiming to refresh the euro’s visual identity while maintaining security and accessibility standards. The unveiling marks a key step toward selecting a final design, which will be informed by public feedback and technical evaluation.
Timeline
- — El BCE mostrará los diseños de los nuevos billetes en un concierto (Expansión)
- — El BCE revela los billetes del futuro: así son las propuestas para los nuevos euros (Expansión)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Public survey on new euro banknote designs runs until September 21, 2026
- ECB to announce winning design in Q4 2026
- Production of new banknotes expected to begin in 2027
Sectors affected
- Currency printing and security printing industry
- Retail and cash-handling businesses
- Eurozone financial institutions
Regulatory implications
- ECB Governing Council to approve final design based on public and expert input
- New designs must meet EU accessibility standards for visually impaired users
- Anti-counterfeiting features will be updated in line with latest technological standards
Historical parallels
- Euro banknote redesign process similar to 2013 ‘Europa’ series launch
- Previous public consultation for euro coins in 2006
- Deutsche Mark redesign ahead of euro adoption in 1998–2001
Key entities
Sources
- El BCE mostrará los diseños de los nuevos billetes en un concierto — Expansión
- El BCE revela los billetes del futuro: así son las propuestas para los nuevos euros — Expansión
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