The digital euro is the European Central Bank's planned digital cash: central bank money you could use with your smartphone or a card in shops, online and between friends, free of charge for basic use and as a complement to notes and coins. It is still in preparation: the ECB wants to be ready for a first issuance in 2029, provided the European Parliament and the Council of the EU adopt the regulation by the end of 2026. Both have been negotiating the text since 13 July 2026 in the trilogue, the talks between Parliament, Council and European Commission. From the second half of 2027, the Eurosystem will test a beta version for twelve months with 36 payment service providers and selected merchants. Here you will learn how the digital euro works, how much you can hold, who sees your payments and what it means for cash and crypto.
Key facts at a glance
- What it is: digital central bank money issued by the Eurosystem with legal tender status; the basic functions are free for you.
- Timeline: regulation targeted by the end of 2026, pilot phase from the second half of 2027 for twelve months, possible first issuance in 2029.
- Legi...
English (US)