ECB: The digital euro will have an app and will also work offline.

The digital euro will function through an app developed by the European central banks, as well as through the applications of payment service providers that decide to integrate it into their solutions. And the ECB, which is leading the project, envisions "limited access" for non-residents, although it acknowledges that "allowing businesses outside the euro area to accept digital euro payments could strengthen the euro's role as an international currency and support euro-denominated trade."

This is stated in the third progress report on the preparation of the digital euro, a summary of the steps taken between November 2024 and April 2025 to define the technical aspects and regulatory framework for the modernization of the common currency. "In light of the current geopolitical and economic challenges, we welcome the ambitious pace of legislative work" underpinning the digital euro project, explains ECB Executive Councillor Piero Cipollone, who chairs the Digital Euro Task Force, in a statement.

With accessibility for all sections of the population in mind, the ECB is developing a payments app "that will give Europeans a seamless pan-European solution for both online and offline payments, prioritizing ease of use."