Bank tickets that we all know will disappear, here is what will replace them

The European Central Bank (ECB) plans to bid them farewell, slowly but surely, to make way for a whole new generation of banknotes!

A long-planned makeover

The ECB has been thinking about it for a while . More than 20 years after their appearance, euro banknotes are going to have a new look. The goal? To modernize their design, but also to strengthen their security. It's not just a matter of graphics: it's about breathing new life into a currency that we share across an entire continent.

Two avenues have been chosen to inspire future banknotes. On the one hand, European culture, with historical figures like Beethoven, Marie Curie, and Leonardo da Vinci. On the other, rivers and birds, a more poetic theme, focused on nature. And this time, citizens will have their say: a design competition will be launched across the European Union, followed by a public consultation. The final decision is expected in 2026.

The old banknotes won't disappear overnight

This change won't happen overnight. Even if new banknotes enter circulation in 2026 or 2027, the ones we use today will continue to be valid for years to come. It will take time for the new ones to replace the old ones in ATMs, shops, and pockets. This is a bit like what happened between the first series of banknotes and the one currently in circulation.

As a reminder, the 500 euro banknote has already started to bow out. Its production was stopped in 2019, mainly for reasons related to the fight against money laundering.

The digital euro enters the fray

In the background, another revolution is brewing: that of the digital euro. This is not a cryptocurrency, nor a simple transfer. It is a dematerialized version of the euro, guaranteed by the ECB, which will allow payments to be made directly from an official application. The idea isn't to replace cash, but to offer a public alternative to the private payment giants (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, etc.).

We're still at the experimental stage, but all this clearly demonstrates an underlying trend: the way we pay is evolving rapidly. And the euro is adapting, both on paper and on screen.

Even if cash is used less and less in some European countries, it remains essential for many people. Anonymous payments, accessibility for those who don't have a bank account, or simply personal preference: cash still has its place. So no, banknotes aren't going to disappear overnight. But the ones we know today are probably living their last years!