ECB launches merchant call for 2027 digital euro pilot

The European Central Bank has launched a call for merchants to join a 12-month pilot program for a digital euro, marking a significant step toward a potential central bank digital currency. The pilot, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, will test a beta version of the digital euro in real-world e-commerce and mobile commerce environments. The ECB announced on September 15, 2026, that it is inviting e-commerce and mobile-commerce merchants operating in the euro area to apply for the program. Applications must be submitted by 17:00 CET on October 27, 2026, with an information session planned for October 6. The pilot is designed to assess user experience, technical functionality, and operational processes. The beta currency used in the test will not be legal tender but is intended to be functionally close to the proposed final digital euro. Participation is voluntary and unpaid. Selected merchants will enable beta digital euro payments in remote commerce environments and provide feedback to help shape the currency's technical specifications. The ECB is working with 19 euro-area national central banks on the project.