Questions regarding new banknotes in 2028-2029

Why do we need new banknotes?

Cash is still widely used throughout society and will continue to be needed in the future. To ensure that cash remains a safe and efficient means of payment, Danmarks Nationalbank has started developing a new banknote series. The new banknote series will have a completely new design and upgraded security features that are up-to-date and more secure.

What will the new banknotes look like?

The motifs on one side of the new banknotes will be important achievements and the people behind them. The achievements and people are fairy tales and Hans Christian Andersen, astronomy and Tycho Brahe, the Earth's core and Inge Lehmann, the Thule Expedition and Arnarulunnguaq. The motifs on the other side of the banknotes have the sea as a recurring theme.

In the coming months, Danmarks Nationalbank will work on illustrating achievements, people and the reverse theme, as well as determining the overall graphic expression and aesthetics of the banknotes so that the overall concept appears coherent. Working closely with in-house banknote production experts, the concept will be further developed and refined before the final concept is handed over to an external printing company.

In collaboration with the external printing company the concept will be finalised and prepared for mass production. The design of the new banknote series is expected to be finalised in Q1 2026, when Danmarks Nationalbank will announce the final appearance of the series that will go into circulation from 2028-2029.

How has the final decision on motifs and themes been made?

The final decision on motifs and theme was made by an expert group with the participation of external experts and Danmarks Nationalbank. Their decision was based on suggestions for motifs from museums, research and educational institutions within the arts, culture and natural sciences, and the results of a questionnaire survey with the participation of Danish and Greenlandic citizens.

What happens to the current banknotes (2009 series) when we get new ones?

When the new banknote series is released in 2028-2029, it will replace the current series of banknotes featuring Danish bridges and archaeological finds (2009 series). There will be a period when both the 2009 series and the new series are legal tender. However, after a deadline, which is yet to be determined, only banknotes in the new series will be legal tender and the 2009 series will no longer be legal tender.

How will citizens be involved in work on the new banknotes?

Danmarks Nationalbank invited a number of educational institutions and museums in the fields of art, culture and science to contribute suggestions for motifs and themes. Based on their suggestions, Danmarks Nationalbank developed a number of themes that could feature on the new banknotes.

All citizens have had the opportunity to voice their opinion of the themes for the motifs on the new banknotes by taking part in a virtual survey where they were asked to rate the themes based on several relevant parameters. The survey was open from 13 May 2024 until and including 2 June 2024.

How was input from citizens on themes and motifs for the new banknotes used?

The final decision on motifs and theme was made by an expert group with the participation of external experts and Danmarks Nationalbank. Their decision was based on suggestions for motifs from museums, research and educational institutions within the arts, culture and natural sciences, and the results of a questionnaire survey with the participation of Danish and Greenlandic citizens.

The primary purpose of involving the Danish and Greenlandic public in the development of the new banknotes was to give them the opportunity to express their opinions and give Danmarks Nationalbank and the expert group insight into which motifs and themes resonate most with the population. This provided a more solid foundation on which to make the final decision.