Leonardo da Vinci may appear on new euro banknotes
The European Central Bank has launched a public consultation to redesign euro banknotes for the first time since 2002. Among the finalist proposals is a series celebrating European cultural heritage, with Leonardo da Vinci on the €100 note, Maria Callas on €5, and Ludwig van Beethoven on €10. An alternative theme, "Rivers and Birds," features European fauna and landscapes with EU institution buildings on the reverse. The redesign marks a shift from the original neutral design, which avoided specific national references. ECB President Christine Lagarde stated the new look aims to combine symbolic value and aesthetic appeal to strengthen a sense of belonging. The public consultation runs until September 21, 2026, with the ECB Governing Council making the final decision by year-end. New banknotes will enter circulation after several more years, incorporating updated security features and accessibility improvements.
Key facts
- First redesign of euro banknotes since 2002
- Public consultation open until September 21, 2026
- Leonardo da Vinci proposed for €100 note
- Maria Callas proposed for €5 note
- Ludwig van Beethoven proposed for €10 note
- Alternative theme 'Rivers and Birds' features European fauna and landscapes
- ECB President Christine Lagarde commented on the redesign
- Final decision by ECB Governing Council by end of 2026
Entities
Artists
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Maria Callas
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Marie Curie
- Miguel de Cervantes
- Bertha von Suttner
- Joost Grootens
- Jan Robert Dünnweller
- Myrsini Vardopoulou
- Rudy Guedj
- François Girard-Meunier
- Isabelle Daëron
- Ville Tietäväinen
- Pierre Curie
- Alfred Nobel
- Aristotle
- Virgil
- Queen Hatshepsut
- Francis I of France
- Studio Joost Grootens
- Neue Gestaltung GmbH
- Rubio & del Amo
- Cruz más Cruz
- PunktFormStrich
- Atelier Goppel-Toperngpong
- Christine Lagarde
- Piero Cipollone
Institutions
- European Central Bank
- Banco Central Europeu
- Conselho do BCE
- European Union
- ECB Governing Council
- European Commission
- European Parliament
- Court of Justice of the European Union
- European Council
- Council of the European Union
- European Court of Auditors
- European Central Bank (ECB)
- Studio Joost Grootens
- Rubio & del Amo
- Cruz más Cruz
- Neue Gestaltung GmbH
- PunktFormStrich
- Atelier Goppel-Toperngpong
- Sorbonne
- Arena di Verona
- Banque centrale européenne
- Smithsonian
- Colossal
- Banca d'Italia
- Artribune
- designboom
- Ancient Woods Foundation
- Governing Council of the ECB
Locations
- Europe
- European Union
- New York
- Athens
- Verona
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Bonn
- Germany
- Flanders
- Belgium
- Vienna
- Austria
- Warsaw
- Poland
- Strasbourg
- Brussels
- Frankfurt
- Luxembourg
- Vinci
- Tuscany
- Florence
- Milan
- Venice
- Rome
- Clos-Lucé
- Prague
- Caucasus
- Algiers
- Lepanto
- Mediterranean
- Eurasia
- Africa
- Indian subcontinent
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Eurozone
- Lithuania
- Euro area