Since Monday, July 10, 2023, citizens of the euro zone can vote for the future design of their banknotes. At the end of 2021, 20 years after the first euro banknotes were put into circulation, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced that it wanted to renew their design.

In the 1990s, the choice of motifs for the first series gave rise to fiery debates. The current banknotes feature fictitious architectural elements because member states could not unanimously agree on which figures would best represent the Old Continent. “After 20 years, it is time to review the look of our banknotes to make them more understandable for Europeans of all ages and backgrounds,” said Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB.

“We want Europeans to recognize themselves in the graphics of euro banknotes”, which is why “they will play an active role in the selection of the new theme”, declared Christine Lagarde on Monday by launching the citizen consultation.

rel=”nofollow”>Until August 31, 2023, all inhabitants of the euro zone can vote on the ECB website for the theme that seems most relevant to them for future banknotes. Thereafter, a design contest will be organized for which Europeans will also be able to vote according to their preferences. The new banknotes should then return to circulation in 2029-2030.

The Board of Governors of the Monetary Institute, taking into account the suggestions of a group of experts, has pre-selected 7 themes from which the design of the new banknotes will be imagined. Find out in the slideshow below what it is all about.