US EditionBulgaria adopts the euro, nearly 20 years after joining the EU
Bulgaria adopted the euro on Jan 1, becoming the 21st eurozone member despite political instability and mass protests, with expected economic growth near 3%, officials said.
- On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria formally adopted the euro, becoming the 21st eurozone member as the lev was replaced at midnight nationwide.
- Having met EU convergence rules and after entering ERM II in 2020, Brussels gave final approval in July as Bulgarian authorities aimed to strengthen financial stability, attract investment and reduce costs.
- Retailers have shown prices in both currencies at the fixed conversion rate BGN1.95583 since August, while starter coin kits were sold from late November to familiarise people with new euro coins.
- Amid a caretaker administration and mass protests, the euro switch went ahead as parliament rushed a temporary budget extension on December 17 to prevent a fiscal vacuum before an eighth election next spring.
- Many Bulgarians fear retailers will round prices up as inflation has rebounded to 3.7%, while an Oct. 9–Nov. 3 Eurobarometer poll found about half oppose the euro and pro-Russian and nationalist groups spread disinformation.
258 Articles
258 Articles
New Year, New Currency for Bulgaria
Bulgarians began withdrawing euros for the first time on Thursday after the former communist nation joined the euro currency as its 21st member. Cash machines in the capital, Sofia, dispensed brand new euro banknotes, replacing the lev, which will still be in use for cash payments in January, the AP...
Die Presse
As the 21st state, Bulgaria receives the euro as its official means of payment, which is intended to facilitate trade and tourism.
As Bulgaria joins the eurozone, which countries remain outside the single currency and for how long?
Bulgaria became the 21st member of the eurozone today despite opposition from half its electorate, leaving only a handful of countries in the 27-member European Union yet to adopt the currency.
Frankfurter Rundschau [Newsroom]Frankfurt (ots) - Despite all the abuses, more Bulgarians return to their homeland than emigrate. Although neither the EU nor the euro can solve all internal problems of the Member States. However, on the valve of the ... Continue reading here...Original content of: Frankfurter Rundschau, transmitted by news aktuell
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