The ECB has launched a public consultation on future euro banknote designs, inviting citizen input on motifs such as birds, rivers, and European cultural figures, with more than nine million ballots submitted so far.

Voters have until September 21, 2026 to weigh in on ten design proposals that aim to gradually replace current notes over the coming decade.

The two themes guiding the designs are 'European culture' and 'rivers and birds,' with six notes from 5 to 200 euros featuring selected designs under each theme.

Daëron’s design identity is rooted in her connection to her origins and the sea, which informs her approach.

Cash remains valued for privacy, simplicity, and direct citizen ownership, even as usage declines and electronic payments face potential disruption.

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Some common river birds are notably absent from the proposals, prompting discussion of alternative species that might better represent river ecosystems.

Notes discuss portrait versus landscape formats and potential improvements to security features, while preserving color and size guidelines.

Analysts highlight strategic autonomy concerns as US-dominated Visa and Mastercard handle a large share of eurozone payments, motivating Europe to strengthen its own payment infrastructure.

New notes will feature enhanced security to combat counterfeiting, longer durability to reduce environmental impact, and improved accessibility for visually impaired users.

Enhancements to security are a central goal of the redesigned notes.

Experts assess candidate species against criteria like representation of river ecosystems, aesthetic appeal, migratory behavior, European distribution, and alignment with EU protections.