The EU Shows its Cash Commitment
Feb 19, 2024
Europe is keeping its cash friendly and accessible! The European Central Bank has announced plans for new euro banknotes intended to ‘reassure the public cash is here to stay’ and introduce designs that will ‘connect citizens.’
Following a survey to establish citizen preferences by the European Central Bank (ECB), Reuters reports the fresh designs will be based on ‘European culture, birds and rivers’, and will appear towards the end of the decade at the soonest. The cultural theme ‘could depict monuments, works of art, literature, music, scientific discoveries and inventions’ while the nature theme may include ‘rivers crossing borders’ or images of regional birds.
Both [themes] share a common thread of connecting Europeans and this is very much in keeping with our goal of making banknotes more relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The redesign is also an opportunity to reiterate the ECB’s support of cash as a pillar of payment choice and a physical symbol of the European Union and the unity of its member states.
Banknotes are a symbol of our European unity, now and in the future. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can choose how they pay, be it using cash or digital payments.
Final designs are expected to be selected in 2026, replacing the current, classic notes depicting bridges, gateways and windows that ‘symbolise the European spirit of openness and cooperation’. Coins will continue to feature national designs particular to each European Union member country.