The International
Charlemagne Prize of Aachen

The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen,
first awarded in 1950, is the oldest and most renowned prize awarded to individuals or institutions for their services to Europe and European unity.

Laureate 2026

Professor Mario Draghi

Professor Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank and former Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, is to be awarded the 2026 International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.

The award ceremony will take place on 14 May 2026 in the Coronation Hall of Aachen Town Hall.

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Latest news

07. January 2026

Applications open for the 2026 European Charlemagne Youth Prize

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New era for the Charlemagne Prize: Armin Laschet takes over chairmanship from Dr Jürgen Linden

The Charlemagne Prize Society is opening a new chapter in its history: after more than three decades as a defining figure of the Charlemagne Prize, Dr Jürgen Linden is handing over the chairmanship of the Board of Directors to Armin Laschet, Member of the German Parliament (MdB) and former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia. Alongside the Deputy Chairpersons, Dr Angela Maas and Christoph Schmallenbach, Laschet will further strengthen the European idea in the spirit of the Charlemagne Prize Society.

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On 24 November 2025, the International Charlemagne Prize Documentation Centre was opened in the heart of Aachen’s city centre. From now on, it invites visitors to explore the Charlemagne Prize laureates, European history and much more in an interactive format and in four languages.

The InternationalCharlemagne Prize of Aachen