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European Central Bank asks residents for input on new banknote designs

Residents across the EU, including in the Netherlands, can vote on a shortlist of 10 proposed designs for the next series of euro notes.

Essentially Amsterdam staff · Published July 26, 2026 at 8:50 a.m. CEST · 2 min read

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The European Central Bank has released a shortlist of 10 design concepts for a new series of euro banknotes and is asking the public for feedback.

Selected from more than 1,200 entries submitted during an EU-wide competition, the potential designs focus on two primary themes: European culture, and rivers and birds.

An online survey open to all residents is available through September 21, running alongside an independent survey restricted to EU citizens.

A complete redesign for security

This initiative represents the first comprehensive redesign of euro notes since the currency was introduced in 2002.

Officials state that updating the visuals and integrating advanced security features will make counterfeiting significantly harder.

The upcoming notes are also intended to be more durable and produced using more environmentally sustainable materials.

Cash usage in the Netherlands

While cash remains widely used across much of the euro area, residents in the Netherlands have largely shifted toward digital payments.

According to research from De Nederlandsche Bank, cash accounts for only about one in five transactions at Dutch retail checkouts.

Despite the high adoption of contactless debit cards and mobile apps in Amsterdam and across the country, access to physical currency remains a priority for European monetary authorities.

Final decision coming this year

Once the consultation period ends, the ECB Governing Council will review public feedback, jury reports, and technical assessments to select the final concept.

The winning design will be announced by the end of the year, with the new notes entering circulation in the coming years.

Source: I am Expat

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