New Euro Account Number DEAN Introduced

September 22, 2026, 6:45 am | Read time: 2 minutes

With the digital euro, the European Central Bank plans a new account number. The so-called DEAN is set to exist alongside the well-known IBAN. However, it will not be automatically issued to all bank customers and is unlikely to be introduced into everyday life before the end of the decade.

What the new DEAN entails

The abbreviation DEAN stands for “Digital Euro Account Number.” It is intended for accounts that manage digital euros. According to the “Berliner Zeitung,” it assumes a role similar to the IBAN. The structure differs: While an IBAN contains information about the country and bank, the DEAN only indicates whether it is a personal or business account.

The 18-digit identifier always begins with “EU,” followed by check digits and an individual serial number. Important for consumers: A DEAN is only issued to those who actively open an account for the digital euro. Existing checking accounts, IBANs, and the use of cash remain unaffected.

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Sending money via phone number

The new number is intended to be needed as rarely as possible in everyday life. According to current plans, private users can link a mobile phone number as an alias. For transfers, the full DEAN would not necessarily be required.

Even people without smartphones should be able to use the digital euro. A physical payment card is planned for this purpose. Currently, only one digital euro account is planned for individuals, while companies are expected to be allowed to maintain multiple accounts.

Introduction no earlier than 2029

It is expected to take some time before consumers actually receive a DEAN. Initially, the ECB plans a pilot trial with 36 banks in the second half of 2027. The introduction is planned for 2029.

Whether the digital currency will actually be introduced is yet to be decided. Currently, European institutions are negotiating, among other things, a possible balance limit. Maximum amounts between 500 and 3,000 euros per person are being discussed.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.