Bulgaria becomes 21st member to adopt euro after EU green light
BULGARIA, JUL 8 – The Eurogroup fixed the lev-to-euro conversion rate at 1.95583, marking Bulgaria's transition from its currency board after nearly 30 years, with entry set for January 1, 2026.
- Bulgaria becomes the 21st member to adopt the euro after the EU green light.
- Economists say Bulgaria will not feel any significant change in the short term, as the lev is currently pegged to the euro by law.
- While European Union officials have approved the move, public opinion across the country remains sharply divided over concerns of rising prices and loss of national identity.
149 Articles
149 Articles
The key factor for the rating upgrade to "BBB+" is the official decision of the Council of the European Union to confirm Bulgaria's membership in the eurozone.
As of January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will be included in the Euro Club, but the majority in the country itself is against it. Economists also accuse Sofia of having embellished the data in order to achieve the goal. This was quite similar once in the case of Greece.
Green light for Bulgaria: EU finance ministers adopted the last necessary regulations for the country's accession to the euro zone on 1 January 2026. European Commission and the heads of state and government of the EU countries had already agreed to this in June. There is little criticism and some anticipation in commentators of the state press.


Bulgaria is introducing the euro from next year - this week it jumped over the last hurdle in Brussels. But many Bulgarians fear that their economic situation will worsen. Rumors fuel such a mood.
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