ECB Invites Merchants to Join Digital Euro Pilot Test

The European Central Bank (ECB) took a new step in the development of the digital euro by launching, on September 15, 2026, a call for applications aimed at e-commerce and mobile commerce merchants in the euro area. This initiative aims to select participants for a pilot test of the digital euro, scheduled for 2027. At the same time, the ECB also opened a second call for applications aimed at private companies and organizations interested in collaborating on innovations enabled by this new monetary infrastructure.

A pilot test to integrate the digital euro into online commerce

The launch of the call for applications on September 15, 2026, is part of the concrete deployment phase of the digital euro, a digital currency issued by the ECB intended to complement physical cash. This pilot test specifically targets merchants active in online commerce, notably e-commerce and mobile commerce, sectors that are rapidly expanding in the euro area. The objective is to test the acceptance, usage, and smoothness of payments in digital euro in real commercial environments, in order to evaluate the functionalities and robustness of this new form of digital currency.

By involving a variety of merchants, the ECB aims to gather feedback that will allow adjustments to the application and associated infrastructures, ensuring an optimal and secure user experience. This pilot test is therefore part of a gradual approach, aiming to ensure that the digital euro meets the expectations of consumers and professionals before a broader rollout.

An application designed for accessibility and inclusivity

The digital euro project was preceded, on July 30, 2026, by a presentation of the dedicated application’s features, with a particular emphasis on accessibility. The ECB committed to developing an application that exceeds the requirements of the European accessibility directive, a regulation aimed at ensuring that digital services are usable by all, including people with disabilities.

This ambition reflects the ECB’s desire to make the digital euro a universal means of payment, accessible to all citizens of the euro area. Usability and accessibility tests, scheduled for 2027, will verify the application’s suitability to the specific needs of users, notably in terms of ease of use, compatibility with assistive technologies, and security. These tests are essential to ensure that the digital euro does not create new barriers to financial inclusion.

A second call for applications to stimulate innovation

Alongside the call for applications aimed at merchants, the ECB launched on September 28, 2026, a second call for applications, open until November 9, 2026. This one targets private companies and organizations wishing to collaborate with the ECB to explore the innovation possibilities offered by the digital euro infrastructure.

This initiative shows that the ECB is not limited to the mere issuance of a digital currency but also intends to encourage the development of an innovative ecosystem around the digital euro. Expected collaborations may involve technological solutions, innovative financial services, or applications facilitating the integration of the digital euro into various economic sectors.

Towards an integrated and innovative European digital currency

These two calls for applications demonstrate the ECB’s willingness to actively involve economic actors in the process of introducing the digital euro. By targeting on one hand merchants for a concrete pilot test, and on the other hand innovative companies to develop uses and services, the ECB is laying the groundwork for a gradual and controlled adoption of this digital currency.

The digital euro fits into a global context where central banks are exploring digital currencies to respond to changes in payments, the digitalization of economies, and the need to guarantee monetary sovereignty. By emphasizing accessibility and innovation, the ECB seeks to make the digital euro a reliable, inclusive instrument adapted to the needs of the 21st century.

The pilot phase planned for 2027, with the participation of selected merchants, will constitute a key step to validate technological and functional choices before a possible generalization of the digital euro in the euro area.