Digital Euro Regulation (DE)
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Current position & sources
Sources checked:
COM(2023)369 proposes a framework for a possible digital euro alongside cash. The Council agreed its negotiating position on 19 December 2025; the proposal is not an adopted regulation. ECB preparations and its conditional 2029 issuance target do not establish a legal launch date.
- Digital euro procedureEuropean Parliament
- Digital euro timelineCouncil of the EU
- Digital euro proposalEUR-Lex
- Digital euro — project and potential issuanceEuropean Central Bank
Summary
COM(2023)369 proposes a framework for a possible digital euro alongside cash. The Council agreed its negotiating position on 19 December 2025; the proposal is not an adopted regulation. ECB preparations and its conditional 2029 issuance target do not establish a legal launch date.
Who is affected?
Potential participants include the Eurosystem, payment service providers, merchants and users. Their future duties depend on adopted legislation and an issuance decision.
Scope
Proposed rules for issuance, distribution, acceptance and use of a digital euro, principally in the euro area.
Key Points
- The Commission proposal was published on 28 June 2023.
- It envisages distribution through payment service providers and access to basic services.
- Proposed acceptance duties have exceptions; they are not current duties under this proposal.
- The design includes online and offline payments alongside cash.
- The ECB targets readiness for possible issuance in 2029, conditional on legislation in 2026.
Key Deadlines
- — Commission proposal published
- — Council negotiating position agreed
Related Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the digital euro already required as a payment option?
No current acceptance duty arises from this proposal.
Will it replace cash?
The stated design is to complement cash.
Is 2029 a binding launch date?
No. It is an ECB preparedness target conditional on legislation and subsequent decisions.
What did the Council decide?
It agreed a negotiating position, not final adoption of the regulation.
What should payment providers track?
Track the legislative text and ECB implementation decisions before committing to a compliance date.
Key Terms
- Digital euro
- A proposed digital form of central bank money for public use.
- Eurosystem
- The ECB and national central banks of countries using the euro.
- Offline payment
- A payment designed to work without a live internet connection.
- Legal tender
- A legal status governing acceptance and discharge of payment obligations.
- Holding limit
- A potential cap intended to constrain use as a store of value.