Finnish euro banknote design has reached the final stage of a major European competition after the European Central Bank (ECB) selected a proposal by Finnish graphic designer Ville Tietavainen as one of ten shortlisted concepts for the next generation of euro banknotes. If chosen, his work could shape the appearance of euro cash used by hundreds of millions of people across Europe for decades.
The shortlist marks an important milestone in a redesign process that will give euro banknotes their first complete visual update since they entered circulation in 2002. While the new notes will not appear immediately, the competition offers a glimpse into how Europe wants its currency to reflect its identity in the years ahead.
The ECB received more than 1,200 applications from designers across Europe before narrowing the competition to just 25 participants. Those finalists were invited to develop complete banknote concepts based on two themes selected through public consultation.
An independent panel of experts reviewed every proposal before selecting ten complete banknote series for the final round. Finnish art historian Timo Huusko represented Finland on the judging panel.
The finalists are evenly divided between two themes. Five focus on European culture and shared public spaces, while the other five celebrate rivers and birds as natural connections that cross national borders.
Tietavainen’s proposal belongs to the rivers and birds category.
Rather than treating each banknote as a separate design, Tietavainen created a connected visual story.
Each denomination follows the path of a river from its source in the mountains to its final destination at the sea. The lower-value notes begin with narrow streams high in the mountains, while higher-value notes gradually move through larger rivers, wetlands and coastal landscapes.
The five-euro note starts at a mountain spring. By the time the series reaches the 200-euro note, the river has reached the ocean.
The concept creates a sense of movement across the entire collection instead of presenting unrelated images on each note.
Every denomination also features a different bird that naturally lives in that stage of the river’s journey.
The proposed five-euro note includes a wallcreeper, a bird commonly found in rocky mountain areas. The 20-euro note features the colourful European bee-eater, while the remaining notes highlight species linked to rivers, wetlands and coastal environments.
Importantly, the landscapes do not represent any real location.
Competition rules required designers to avoid using places that could be identified with one specific country. The goal is to create banknotes that represent Europe as a whole instead of promoting national landmarks.
The reverse side of each note includes public buildings connected to the European Union.
According to the ECB, the buildings and natural landscapes work together to create one continuous visual narrative across every denomination. The result is a banknote series designed to feel connected from beginning to end.
This storytelling approach is one of the features that distinguishes Tietavainen’s proposal from many traditional banknote designs, where each denomination often stands on its own.
The second design theme takes a very different direction.
Instead of focusing on nature, these proposals highlight Europe’s cultural heritage through famous historical figures and public institutions.
Some designs include portraits of composer Ludwig van Beethoven and artist Leonardo da Vinci. Others celebrate libraries, museums, scientific achievement, music and public gathering places that have shaped European history.
Although each finalist uses different colours, layouts, typography and security features, every proposal follows the technical requirements needed for modern euro banknotes.
The ECB has opened an online public consultation to gather opinions on all ten shortlisted designs.
People living across the euro area and other European Union countries can review the proposals and vote for their preferred concepts until 21 September.
Public opinion will form part of the decision-making process, although it will not be the only factor.
The ECB Governing Council plans to announce the winning design before the end of 2026 after reviewing feedback from the public, recommendations from the expert jury and the results of technical assessments.
Even after a winning design is selected, the new banknotes will not enter circulation immediately.
The ECB still needs to complete production planning, security testing and manufacturing before the redesigned notes can be issued across Europe. That process is expected to take several years.
Existing euro banknotes will continue to be legal tender throughout the transition. People will still be able to use current notes after the new series is introduced, and both versions will circulate together for some time.
Changing the appearance of a currency is about more than improving security or updating artwork.
Banknotes are among the few objects that people handle almost every day, making them powerful symbols of identity and shared history. The images printed on them often reflect the values and stories that countries want to preserve for future generations.
ECB President Christine Lagarde said the redesign reflects that wider purpose.
“Euro banknotes are more than just a means of payment. They are one of the most tangible expressions of Europe,” she said in an ECB statement.
Her remarks underline why the redesign matters. Beyond their practical use, the next generation of euro notes is intended to represent a modern Europe while remaining familiar to millions of people who use the currency every day.
