A banknote is one of the hardest design objects in the world. An object that passes through the hands of hundreds of millions of people has to be recognized in a second, be hard to forge, and on top of that carry identity.
Fact
The facts: On 23 July 2026 the ECB announced the ten approved design proposals for the new euro banknotes under the two themes - 'European culture' and 'Rivers and birds'. An independent jury of 21 experts shortlisted them from more than 1200 entries in an EU-wide competition. A public online survey runs until 21 September 2026, alongside a representative study. The final decision is expected toward the end of 2026, with circulation following in the coming years; current banknotes remain valid and in circulation. This is the first full redesign since the introduction of euro banknotes in 2002. Source: ECB, 23.07.2026.
There's something here that rarely happens with public design: they're asking the user before printing. Usually it's the other way around - the design comes down finished and people get used to it by force.
Money is the one design all of us carry in our pockets.
And since we in Bulgaria are just getting used to these banknotes, the irony is nice: we're settling into a design that's already on its way out. No harm done. This way the new series will be ours from day one - chosen with our vote too. The survey is open to everyone and takes minutes. How many times in your life have you gotten to choose what your money looks like? I can't remember another case like it.
Official primary sources
ECB - the ten designs and the public survey, 23.07.2026The visual is generated code-art, no third-party images.