The European Central Bank (ECB) expects to launch the digital euro in 2029, subject to legislative approval of the retail central bank digital currency (CBDC).

In early 2024, the passage of legislation appeared to be a foregone conclusion, but since the mid-2024 European elections, the situation has become more complicated.

The first Rapporteur for the legislation stepped aside, and his replacement, MEP Fernando Navarrete, proposed that the ECB focus on the more privacy-friendly offline solution, while private sector retail payment initiatives such as WERO roll out across Europe.

Both the ECB and the European Council have rejected this approach. Beyond this debate over scope, other controversial topics include holding limits for users and compensation for payment providers.