Decisions taken by the Governing Council of the ECB (in addition to decisions setting interest rates)

Announcements related to the digital euro project

On 30 July 2026 the ECB issued a press release outlining the accessibility features of the digital euro app, the design of which will go beyond the requirements set out in the European Accessibility Act, and announcing that the ECB would start usability and accessibility testing as part of the digital euro pilot in 2027. The press release, together with the related underlying documentation, is available on the ECB’s website.

On 15 September 2026 the ECB issued a call for expression of interest inviting e-commerce and mobile commerce (m-commerce) merchants operating in the euro area to take part in the digital euro pilot. The deadline to submit applications is 27 October 2026.

Finally, on 28 September 2026 the ECB issued another call for expression of interest inviting private companies and organisations to collaborate in exploring how the digital euro infrastructure could support them in their innovation efforts. More detailed information is available in the related announcement published on the ECB’s website. The deadline to submit applications is 9 November 2026.

Strong participation in the ECB survey on the future design of the euro banknotes

On 23 September 2026 the ECB issued a press release reporting that almost ten million people across Europe and beyond had completed the ECB survey on the future design of euro banknotes, which ran between 23 July and 21 September 2026. This level of participation, equal to 2.6% of the euro area population, is unprecedented for such a survey. The press release also outlined the next steps in the process. More information on the future banknotes, the shortlisted proposals and the selection process is available on the ECB’s website.

Amendments to legal acts on the implementation of the Eurosystem monetary policy framework