When is the digital euro coming out?

Short version: a public launch is targeted around 2029, and it depends on EU legislation. You can't get a digital euro today, and you won't be able to in 2027 either, despite what the word "pilot" suggests.

Here's the real timeline, and — just as important — which dates are fixed and which are conditional.

The timeline#

1. July 2026

   Rulebook v0.91 published

   The scheme rulebook — as a draft, not something to rely on for implementation.

2. 14 July 2026

   36 PSPs selected for the pilot

   From 57 applications across 19 countries, including Croatia.

3. Q3 2026

   Development starts

   Build work on the pilot begins.

4. H2 2027

   Live pilot begins, runs ~12 months

   A beta digital euro — used by ECB and national central bank staff, not the public.

5. ~2029

   Targeted public launch

   Conditional on the digital euro Regulation completing the EU legislative process.

Why you can't get it in 2027#

The 2027 pilot is the most misread milestone. "Pilot" makes people picture a public beta they can sign up for. It isn't.

The live pilot starting in the second half of 2027 runs for about 12 months with a beta digital euro, and its users are ECB and national central bank staff. Not customers. Not the general public. It exists to prove the technology and operations before anything touches real people.

The 36 PSPs selected in July 2026 are building and testing against real infrastructure — they're the testers, not a public rollout.

Why 2029 is a target, not a promise#

Two things have to be true for a launch:

1. The technology and operations are ready — that's what the pilot is for.
2. The law passes. The regulation is still in the EU legislative process, and the decision on whether to issue the digital euro will only be considered once that process is complete.

The Eurosystem is building so it can be ready. Being ready is not the same as a decision to launch. So treat ~2029 as "the earliest realistic public date if everything lands," not a countdown.

What that means for you#

• Today: nothing to sign up for. It doesn't exist for the public.
• 2027: a staff-only pilot. Still nothing public.
• ~2029: the earliest you might actually get one — if the law is adopted.

In the meantime, cash and your normal bank account carry on unchanged, and using the digital euro will be optional for individuals when it does arrive.

The bottom line#

• Public launch is targeted around 2029, dependent on EU legislation.
• The 2027 pilot is staff-only — not a public beta.
• Every date beyond the pilot is conditional on the law.

For the version aimed at banks preparing for it, see the digital euro timeline for banks, or the full timeline.