05/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2026 07:26
EBF PRESS RELEASE
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Brussels, 19 May 2026 - The European Banking Federation (EBF) is proud to host the 9th edition of the European Money Quiz (EMQ), Europe's largest financial literacy competition for 13-15-year-olds. This year's edition also celebrates a small piece of Belgian culture, with participating students receiving the famous Tintin comic book Explorers on the Moon, a story about curiosity, discovery and exploring new horizons, values that closely reflect the spirit of financial education and lifelong learning.
National winning teams from 30 countries gathered in Brussels this week to compete for the title of European champions and celebrate the importance of financial education.
Since its launch in 2017, the European Money Quiz has become one of the flagship initiatives of European Money Week, reflecting the strong commitment of the European banking sector to promoting financial literacy from an early age. Organised together with national banking associations across Europe, the initiative helps young people develop practical financial skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex financial world.
This year's European champions are the team from Greece, who secured first place after a highly competitive final. The team from Latvia took second place, while Italy completed the podium in third position.
The finalists demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge and engagement throughout the competition, answering questions on topics ranging from saving and investing to cybersecurity, fraud awareness and responsible money management.
Wim Mijs, CEO of the European Banking Federation, said: "The European Money Quiz has become a wonderful example of how cooperation across Europe can help young people build essential life skills. Every year, we are impressed by the participants' enthusiasm, curiosity and level of knowledge. Financial literacy is an important life skill in today's world, and initiatives like this help young Europeans gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions from an early age."
The quiz challenged students on financial topics relevant to young people, including saving, long-term planning, digital finance, cybersecurity awareness, fraud prevention and responsible money management.
Sixty students qualified for the European Finals in Brussels, accompanied by teachers and representatives from national banking associations. The two-day programme included the final quiz competition, educational activities and visits linked to financial education and European institutions.
The 2026 edition brings together participants from 30 countries: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and Ukraine.
Financial literacy continues to gain importance across Europe. In 2025, the European Commission launched its Financial Literacy Strategy as part of the broader Savings and Investments Union agenda, recognising the importance of equipping citizens with the knowledge and confidence to make sound financial decisions throughout their lives. The strategy also highlights the importance of cooperation between public authorities, education systems and private stakeholders.
As a long-standing advocate for financial education, the EBF and its members remain committed to supporting initiatives that help citizens build financial resilience and confidence throughout their lives.