The Eurosystem announced that it will open a call for expressions of interest in 2026 to select European payment service providers for a digital euro pilot scheduled for the second half of 2027. The move follows the ECB Governing Council’s recent decision to progress to the next phase of the digital euro project. A final decision on issuing the currency will only occur once EU lawmakers adopt the relevant legislation.
According to the ECB, the pilot will run for 12 months and assess the digital euro’s technical, functional and operational readiness. The test environment will simulate real payment flows without granting legal tender status to the digital transactions. Participation will be limited to Eurosystem staff, selected merchants operating at ECB and national central bank premises, and chosen e-commerce partners.
Testing payments across use cases
Staff participating in the pilot will be able to conduct person-to-person transactions, both online and offline, and make purchases at physical and online points of sale. The Eurosystem said the exercises aim to validate end-to-end payment processes using a system designed to reflect the digital euro’s expected technical architecture.
Payment service providers will be chosen based on predefined selection criteria, including technical capabilities and market coverage. The ECB wants the group to represent the diversity of the euro area, from geographic footprint to consumer reach. Participants will not receive compensation for their involvement.
Selected providers will work with the Eurosystem to build and refine pilot use cases. They will also help test the operational system, onboard pilot users, and process simulated payments. Their feedback will feed into further technical specifications and design choices.
A three-phase programme
The pilot will unfold in three stages. The assessment phase will begin with the publication of the call for expressions of interest in early 2026, followed by an evaluation of applications. In the preparation phase, preselected providers will receive updated documentation and will need to confirm their participation and sign agreements.
The implementation phase, expected to start in 2027, will involve technical refinements, systems testing, onboarding of end users, and the execution of digital transactions. The Eurosystem says the tests will help prepare for a future decision on whether to launch the digital euro, which the EU aims to legislate in 2026.
To support industry participation, the Eurosystem will host online information sessions in the coming weeks. These events will give potential applicants the opportunity to ask questions and understand the pilot’s requirements ahead of the formal application window.
The digital euro remains one of the EU’s most significant financial infrastructure projects, intended to complement cash and offer a public alternative to private digital payment systems. The pilot’s outcomes are expected to influence both technical development and the broader debate on the role of central bank digital money in Europe’s future financial landscape.