Seven cities have been shortlisted by the European Commission to enter the final stage of the 2026 competition following an assessment prepared by a panel of independent experts. They are leading by example, combining innovative solutions with strong governance frameworks, aiming for healthy environments for their citizens.
Finalists for the 2026 European Green Capital prize for larger cities (population 100,000+):
- Heilbronn (Germany)
- Guimarães (Portugal)
- Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee (Austria)
Finalists for the 2026 European Green Leaf prize for smaller cities (population 20,000+)
- Agueda (Portugal)
- Saint-Quentin (France)
- Sant Boi de Llobregat (Spain)
- Vaasa (Finland)
In October the seven finalists will showcase to a jury panel their environmental vision and governance, as well as their communication strategy in case they win. The winners will be announced in this year’s European Green Capital Valencia* (Spain) on 24 October at a festive award ceremony.
The European Green Capital winner will receive a financial prize of €600,000 to implement their strategy in cooperation with citizens and stakeholders. The title of European Green Leaf is awarded to one or two cities. Each Green Leaf winner is granted a financial prize of €200,000 to help organise activities during the year when they are holding the title and spark further transformation.
*Valencia earned the European Green Capital 2024 title due to its past and current achievements in the field of sustainable tourism, climate neutrality, as well as fair and inclusive green transition. The European Green Capital winner for 2024 is located on the southeastern coast of Spain, counts 837,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the province that has the same name.
Email the European Green Capital Secretariat for more information.
