What the digital euro is
The digital euro would be a digital form of cash issued and backed by the European Central Bank and euro area national central banks.
According to the ECB, it is designed to sit alongside physical cash and bank cards, not replace them.
You would hold it in a wallet app or card and spend it in shops, online, or person to person.
The European Commission confirms basic services such as opening an account, topping up, and standard payments would be free of charge.
Key features the ECB has confirmed:
- Backed by the central bank: it is public money, like the cash in your pocket, not a private cryptocurrency or stablecoin.
- Online and offline: offline payments would work without internet and offer cash-like privacy.
- Privacy: the ECB would not be able to directly identify users from their payment data.
What it means for travellers visiting Europe
Visitors and tourists may also be able to use the digital euro, not just EU residents.
The European Commission states that people travelling to the euro area for personal or professional reasons may also be granted access.
For non-residents, that access would be temporary and arranged through a payment provider, subject to ECB conditions.
This matters for travellers from the Gulf, South Asia and Southeast Asia who currently rely on cards and cash when visiting Europe.
The likely appeal for travellers is the offline function.
You could pay in a shop in Frankfurt or Amsterdam even with a weak signal or no roaming data, with basic digital euro payments expected to be free for consumers.
There would also be a cap on how much you can hold. The ECB has not fixed a final figure, but it says co-legislators asked it to test hypothetical holding limits of up to €3,000 per person.
What you should do now
Nothing — your current payment options are unchanged and will stay that way for years.
Cash, debit and credit cards all continue to work exactly as before across the eurozone.
The European Parliament is expected to hold a full plenary vote in early July 2026, followed by negotiations with the 27 member states. A final agreement is being targeted before the end of 2026.
Even then, the timeline runs through a 2027 pilot and a possible 2029 issuance.
Crucially, euro banknotes and coins will remain legal tender — the digital euro is being designed to complement cash, not phase it out.
So for any trip you’re planning to Rome, Madrid or elsewhere in Europe, keep packing your card and some cash as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the digital euro on my next trip to Europe?
Not yet. The digital euro is still going through EU legislation, with a pilot not expected before mid-2027 and issuance not before 2029.
Will tourists and non-EU residents be able to use it?
Potentially, the European Commission says visitors travelling to the euro area may be granted access. For non-residents this access would be temporary and arranged through a payment provider.
Will the digital euro replace cash in Europe?
No. The ECB says it is designed to complement cash, and euro banknotes and coins remain legal tender.
Sources
- Euronews — European Parliament backs long-awaited digital euro (23 June 2026)
- European Central Bank — Progress on the digital euro
- European Central Bank — FAQs on the digital euro
- European Commission — FAQs on the digital euro and the legal tender of cash
- European Central Bank — Eurosystem moving to next phase of digital euro project
- European Parliament — Digital euro legislative file
