Eurosystem, including Latvian, merchants invited to participate in digital euro pilot project

22.09.2026.

The Eurosystem (comprising the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the euro area, including the Bank of Latvia) invites e-commerce and mobile commerce (m-commerce) service providers (merchants) operating in the euro area to apply for participation in the digital euro pilot project.

This is a unique opportunity for merchants to collaborate with the ECB and the central banks of euro area countries to help shape the future of European digital payments. By participating in the pilot project, selected merchants will gain practical experience in a simulated digital euro environment, while their feedback will help refine the technical specifications of the digital euro.

The objective of the digital euro pilot project is to test the technical functionality, operational processes, and overall user experience of the digital euro. A beta version of the digital euro will be used in the pilot project. This beta digital euro will be functionally and technically very similar to the digital euro as foreseen in the current European Union (EU) legislative proposal, but it will not have the status of legal tender.

The pilot project will involve staff from the Eurosystem central banks, selected payment service providers, and selected merchants who provide daily services to the ECB and central banks of euro area countries, such as catering services.

Participation in the pilot project offers merchants the opportunity to:

gain practical experience with beta digital euro payments in an e-commerce and mobile commerce environment close to real-life situations;
collaborate directly with other pilot project participants and observe how users practically use the beta digital euro;
test the customer payment path and assess how the digital euro could be integrated into existing order processing and payment processes;
provide feedback on the payment process, merchant needs, integration aspects, and customer experience.

The pilot project will be not only a test of technical functionality but also a significant collaboration platform for merchants, payment service providers, and the Eurosystem. The feedback obtained during the pilot project will help inform future decisions on solution development, improve user experience, and ensure that the merchant perspective is taken into account as preparation for the potential implementation of the digital euro continues.

This will enable selected merchants to contribute to the creation of a digital euro that better meets the needs of merchants and consumers across Europe.

The pilot project will be implemented transparently, reflecting the Eurosystem's commitment to ensuring a responsible and reliable implementation of the digital euro, should a decision to issue it be made in the future. The final decision on the issuance of the digital euro will be taken only after the adoption of the relevant EU legislation. The Eurosystem's further preparation for the digital euro will be implemented flexibly, ensuring its alignment with the legislative process.

How to participate?

Participation in the pilot project is voluntary, and no remuneration will be paid for it. Merchants selected under this call will be invited to conclude a contract with the ECB regarding participation in the pilot project. They will also need to establish or adapt contractual relationships with one of the payment service providers involved in the pilot project, who will ensure the acceptance of the digital euro.

Selected merchants in the pilot project will act as end-users of legal entities, ensuring the acceptance of beta digital euro payments in remote commerce environments and helping to test the digital euro payment experience, operational processes, and core functionality.

Applications will be assessed by the ECB based on compliance requirements and weighted evaluation criteria covering the applicants' market coverage, operational readiness, and suitability for participation in the pilot project.

To help merchants prepare for the application process, the ECB will hold an informational session on 6 October 2026 at 15:00 Central European Time (16:00 Riga Time), providing information about the pilot project and the application process. Merchants may also submit written questions up to two weeks before the end of the application period using a specially prepared form.

Interested merchants are invited to complete the application form and send it to the email address This email address is protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 27 October 2026 at 17:00 Central European Time (18:00 Riga Time).

Further information about the digital euro pilot project is available on the ECB's specially created digital euro pilot project website.