The new euro banknotes are not yet in circulation. The European Central Bank has selected ten finalist proposals and plans to choose the final design by the end of 2026. Testing, technical development and production will then begin, so several more years will pass before the new banknotes reach businesses and consumers.
The change will not be purely aesthetic. The new series will incorporate enhanced security features, aim to make banknotes easier to recognise, and take into account aspects such as accessibility, durability and environmental impact.
For businesses that handle cash, the redesign also raises a practical question: whether their banknote counters, value counters and detectors can be updated to recognise the future series.
Overview of the new euro banknotes
| Aspect | Current status |
|---|---|
| Finalist designs | Ten proposals |
| Themes | European Culture and Rivers and Birds |
| Public consultation | Until 21 September 2026 |
| Final selection | Expected by the end of 2026 |
| Entry into circulation | Several years later |
| Planned denominations | €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200 |
| Current banknotes | Will remain valid |
| Sizes and colours | Likely to remain similar |
The ECB intends to retain the six denominations of the Europa series. It also expects to keep the main sizes and colours broadly similar to facilitate the transition and limit the cost of adapting banknote-processing machines.
Why are euro banknotes being redesigned?
Central banks periodically renew their banknotes to stay ahead of new counterfeiting techniques. Developing a complete series requires years of design, testing, production and adaptation of the systems used by banks, retailers and businesses.
The ECB identifies four main objectives for the future series:
- Introduce new security features.
- Make authenticity checks easier.
- Improve accessibility, especially for people with visual impairments.
- Increase durability and reduce environmental impact.
The redesign forms part of the strategy to keep cash secure, efficient and available as a means of payment for citizens.
What will the new euro banknotes look like?
The ten finalist designs are divided between two concepts: European Culture and Rivers and Birds. There are five different graphic proposals for each theme.
The winning series has not yet been decided. Therefore, the images published during the competition should be regarded as proposals rather than final designs.
European Culture
This theme represents shared cultural heritage through figures who have made notable contributions to European music, literature, science, art and thought.
The motifs assigned to each denomination are:
| Banknote | Figure | Cultural space or activity |
|---|---|---|
| €5 | Maria Callas | Performing arts |
| €10 | Ludwig van Beethoven | Music |
| €20 | Marie Curie | Schools and universities |
| €50 | Miguel de Cervantes | Libraries |
| €100 | Leonardo da Vinci | Museums and exhibitions |
| €200 | Bertha von Suttner | Public squares |
The five finalist proposals interpret these elements in different ways. Some focus on portraits, while others highlight the figures' work, cultural spaces or the relationship between historical figures and present-day European society.
Rivers and Birds
The second theme uses river landscapes and European birds to represent natural diversity, freedom, cooperation and the connections between European countries.
The planned motifs are:
| Banknote | Landscape and bird | European institution |
|---|---|---|
| €5 | Mountain spring and wallcreeper | European Parliament |
| €10 | Waterfall and kingfisher | European Commission |
| €20 | River valley and bee-eaters | European Central Bank |
| €50 | Meandering river and white stork | Court of Justice of the European Union |
| €100 | River mouth and avocet | European Council and Council of the European Union |
| €200 | Seascape and northern gannet | European Court of Auditors |
The proposals combine illustrations of birds, waterways, maps and European institutions. Some even include visual information about the flight or calls of the species depicted.
When will the new banknotes enter circulation?
The planned timetable is divided into several stages:
- The ECB presented the ten finalist proposals on 23 July 2026.
- Citizens can express their preferences until 21 September 2026.
- The ECB Governing Council plans to choose the final design by the end of 2026.
- The selected design will then undergo development and testing.
- Production and the gradual introduction of the new series will follow.
There is not yet an official issue date. The ECB has only confirmed that several years will pass between the selection of the design and the arrival of the banknotes in citizens' wallets.
It is therefore incorrect to claim that the new banknotes will begin circulating immediately in 2026 or 2027.
Will current banknotes stop being valid?
No. The ECB has confirmed that banknotes from previous series will remain valid and circulate alongside the new series during the transition.
This means that businesses may receive the following banknotes at the same time:
- Banknotes from the first series, issued from 2002 onwards.
- Banknotes from the current Europa series.
- Banknotes from the future series once distribution begins.
Banknotes from the first series remain legal tender and retain their value indefinitely. Even the €500 banknote, which is no longer issued, retains its value and can be exchanged at the national central banks of the euro area.
Will the denominations, sizes or colours change?
The ECB intends to retain the current denominations:
- €5
- €10
- €20
- €50
- €100
- €200
A new issue of the €500 banknote is not planned.
To reduce adaptation costs and make each denomination easier to recognise, the main sizes and colours will probably be similar to those currently in use. However, the final technical specifications will not be known until development of the new series has been completed.
What will the change mean for retailers and businesses?
Businesses do not need to replace their equipment now. The new series will take years to enter circulation, and its final technical specifications have not yet been published.
However, any business that handles a significant volume of cash should review three areas.
1. Software update capability
Detection and recognition systems use different sensors and software to analyse each banknote.
When a new series is issued, the manufacturer may need to update the software to include its features. For this reason, before purchasing a machine, it is advisable to check:
- Whether updates are available.
- How the new software is installed.
- Whether technical support is available.
- Which currencies and series it can process.
- Which detection systems it includes.
Countermatic's counterfeit banknote detectors are designed to authenticate the current Europa series, and the range includes software update options for new issues.
2. Banknote counter compatibility
A basic counter may simply count the number of banknotes. A value-counting machine identifies the denomination of each banknote and calculates the total amount, even when mixed banknotes are inserted.
The future series will probably retain similar sizes and colours to limit the cost of adapting this equipment. However, recognition and authentication will need to be validated once the ECB publishes the final specifications.
Countermatic's banknote counting machines can count mixed banknotes, display the total amount and provide a breakdown by denomination. Current models are designed for the Europa series and earlier banknotes.
3. Training for checkout staff
Even when detection machines are used, staff should know the basic security features of banknotes.
The Bank of Spain recommends using the “feel, look and tilt” method:
- Feel the paper and raised print.
- Look at the banknote against the light.
- Tilt it to check the holographic features and visual changes.
This manual check can be supplemented with an automatic detector whenever there is any doubt about a banknote's authenticity.
How to prepare cash management for the new series
Although issuance is not imminent, this is a good time to review cash-handling processes.
Assess the volume of cash
A business with few transactions does not need the same equipment as a supermarket, bank, petrol station or hospitality business operating several shifts.
It is advisable to analyse:
- Number of banknotes processed each day.
- Range of denominations.
- Volume of coins.
- Number of cash register closures.
- Time spent counting.
- Frequency of errors or discrepancies.
Manual counting takes time and can lead to errors. An automated solution helps calculate cash totals, separate denominations and prepare bank deposits.
Automate the counting process
Manual counting takes time and can lead to errors. An automated solution helps calculate cash totals, separate denominations and prepare bank deposits.
Countermatic brings together its counting, sorting and authentication equipment in its cash management solutions section. The range includes equipment for small, medium and large volumes of coins and banknotes.
Manage banknotes and coins together
The redesign only affects banknotes, but a complete cash register closure also requires coins to be managed.
Coin counters and sorters can calculate the total value, display a breakdown by denomination and physically separate coins into trays, bags or tubes.
Integrating both processes reduces the time spent closing the cash register and helps maintain a more accurate record of all the business's cash.
Check before replacing equipment
It is not advisable to replace a machine solely because the redesign has been announced. First, check whether the current model can be updated.
Once the final specifications have been published, the supplier should be asked:
- Whether the equipment is compatible.
- Whether it requires an update.
- Whether the update will be carried out through software or technical support.
- Whether it will be able to process old and new banknotes simultaneously.
Cash management prepared for the change
The arrival of a new banknote series will be gradual. Businesses will have time to update their processes and adapt their equipment, but they will need to manage different series simultaneously and correctly identify any suspicious banknotes.
Updateable machines, technical support and clear counting procedures will help reduce errors, speed up cash register closures and maintain cash security.
Explore Countermatic's cash management solutions and find equipment for counting, sorting and verifying coins and banknotes according to your business's workload.
Frequently asked questions about the new euro banknotes
Are the new euro banknotes already available?
No. As of July 2026, only ten finalist proposals have been presented. The ECB plans to select the final design by the end of 2026, and the banknotes will enter circulation several years later.
Will Miguel de Cervantes appear on the new banknotes?
Miguel de Cervantes is the figure assigned to the €50 banknote under the European Culture theme. He will only appear in the future series if the ECB selects one of the five proposals associated with this theme.
Will there be new €500 banknotes?
No new issue is planned. The future series will retain the €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200 denominations.
Will current banknotes expire?
No. The ECB has confirmed that previous series will remain valid and circulate alongside the new series.
Will banknote counting machines need to be replaced?
Not necessarily. The ECB will probably retain the main sizes and colours to reduce adaptation costs. Even so, some equipment may require a software update to recognise and authenticate the new banknotes.
What should a business do to prepare?
It should check whether its counters and detectors support updates, remain in contact with its supplier, train staff and wait for the final technical specifications to be published.
