The ECB has chosen 36 payment service providers from across the euro area to participate in a digital euro pilot starting in late 2027, testing functionalities and user experience.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected 36 payment service providers (PSPs) from across the euro area to participate in the digital euro pilot. The pilot aims to test the digital euro’s technical functionality, operational processes, and user experience.
The pilot is scheduled to start in the second half of 2027 and will last for 12 months. It will take place at the ECB and 19 national central banks across the euro area, including countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
Following a call for expression of interest in March 2026, the Eurosystem received over 50 applications. Applicants were evaluated based on predefined eligibility criteria. The selected participants include banks and non-bank service providers of various sizes and geographical locations, ensuring a diverse testing environment.
Some providers, known as distributing PSPs, will give ECB staff access to beta digital euro services, such as account setup and payments. Others, known as acquiring PSPs, will serve merchants and enable digital euro payments. Some will perform dual roles.
The pilot will involve staff from the ECB and national central banks, e-commerce merchants, and everyday service merchants. Participants will be able to make person-to-person payments online and offline, as well as person-to-business payments at physical locations and via e-commerce.
The pilot will help refine the digital euro’s design and user experience. Progress updates will be published on the ECB’s digital euro pilot webpage. The selected PSPs will collaborate with their national central banks and the ECB to prepare for the pilot.
