The findings of the work conducted during the digital euro investigation phase formed the basis for the preparation phase, which was approved to start in November 2023.  

The aim of the preparation phase is to lay the foundations for the potential issuance of a digital euro. This includes finalising the digital euro rulebook and selecting providers that could potentially develop a digital euro platform and infrastructure. And it will involve testing and experimenting to develop a digital euro that meets both the Eurosystem’s requirements and user needs.

The decision on whether to ultimately issue a digital euro can only be considered at a later stage, after the adoption of the legislative framework for the digital euro at the European level.