US EditionBulgaria readies to adopt the euro, nearly 20 years after joining EU
Bulgaria becomes the 21st eurozone member amid political turmoil and public skepticism with 51% supporting the switch, aiming to boost investment and EU integration, officials say.
- On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will replace the lev with the euro, and Outgoing Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said, `There will be challenges, but we are counting on the tolerance and understanding of both citizens and businesses.`
- Sofia met the four Maastricht criteria including price stability and a 2.7% inflation rate in 2024, while Brussels approved accession after Bulgaria joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in 2020 and the lev was pegged to the euro.
- Prices have been displayed in both leva and euros since August, with the lev accepted until January 31, and Bulgarians can exchange currency at banks and post offices for free until July.
- Political instability has accompanied the switch, with the government resigning after anti-corruption protests and tens of thousands rallying in December as inflation rebounded to 3.7%.
- Supporters argue the euro will boost investor confidence and lower financing costs, while Petar Ganev said, `Credit agencies deduct from our credit rating because of the currency board` and Bulgaria remains the EU member most affected by poverty with more than 21% in poverty.
136 Articles
136 Articles
From 1 January 2026, Bulgaria leaves the left and adopts the euro. It is the 21st country that has chosen the single European currency for nearly twelve years since accession to the European Union.
On Thursday, Bulgaria became the 21st country to adopt the euro as it entered the new year, a milestone that was greeted with both jubilation and fear.
Svenska Dagbladet
svt NyheterBulgaria is adopting the euro as its currency, almost 20 years after joining the EU. The transition from the Bulgarian leva currency took place at midnight on Wednesday. Several of the country's governments have advocated for the country to join the euro, hoping it will stimulate the economy. Bulgaria is the EU's poorest member state. But there are concerns b...
The country receives the common currency in the midst of a political crisis and the scepticism of the population for the...
Bulgaria has adopted the euro, becoming the 21st country to choose the single European currency, almost twenty years after joining the European Union.
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