French scientist Marie Curie among faces being considered for euro banknote redesign
The new notes will have two themes - nature and European culture
Cash remains widely used in the Eurozone, accounting for 52% of transactions - and 43% in France
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Marie Curie is among the historical figures being considered for a new series of euro banknotes.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing its first full redesign in more than a decade, with a final decision on designs expected by the end of 2026. The new notes are then expected to enter circulation several years later.
The revamp was announced in 2021 and aims to keep euro banknotes “available and accessible” while ensuring they remain “a secure and efficient means of payment”, the ECB said. The redesign is also intended to make notes more inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
Two new themes for the euronote
The ECB has narrowed the redesign to two themes: European culture, and nature under the banner “rivers and birds”.
Draft concepts for the cultural series pair major historical figures with everyday scenes. A €10 note, for example, could feature composer Ludwig van Beethoven alongside a youth choir performing at a music festival, while a €20 note may show scientist Marie Curie in a classroom setting.
Other proposals include Miguel de Cervantes on a €50 note linked to libraries, and Leonardo da Vinci on €100 note associated with museums and exhibitions. A €5 note could feature opera singer Maria Callas and street performers, while €200 may highlight peace campaigner Bertha von Suttner in a public garden setting.
The alternative theme focuses on wildlife and landscapes across Europe. “Fleuves et oiseaux” was chosen as a symbol of freedom and unity, as rivers and birds “do not recognise borders”, the ECB said.
In these designs, EU institutions would appear on the reverse of each note. All concepts remain provisional and no final selections have been made.
Final ruling due in 2026
The redesign process combines public consultation with input from several groups of independent experts on themes, motifs and graphic design.
More than 360,000 people took part in an ECB survey in 2023 to help select the themes.
A design competition launched in July 2025 has now entered its final stage, with the shortlisted proposals due to be assessed by a jury before a further public consultation later this year.
The ECB’s Governing Council is expected to make a final decision by the end of 2026. The timing of production and issuance will then be set, meaning it will be several years before the new notes enter circulation.
“We want to slightly change the vision of the euro so that everyone can see themselves in it,” ECB president Christine Lagarde said in a 2025 interview.
Despite the growth of digital payments, cash remains widely used. It accounted for 52% of transactions in the euro area in 2024 (43% of transactions in France) underlining its continued role in everyday spending.
The next series is also expected to include updated security features and new materials aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of euro banknotes, although details have yet to be confirmed.
