Bulgaria to officially adopt euro as national currency starting January 1, 2026
Bulgaria to officially adopt euro as national currency starting January 1, 2026 (freepik.com)
Starting January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will officially adopt the euro as its currency. The decision was approved by the European Parliament, according to its press service.
According to the report, the decision was supported by 531 out of 679 Members of the European Parliament.
This marks the completion of Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone as its 21st member, granting the country the opportunity to benefit from the EU's common currency starting next year.
Denmark's Minister of Economy, Stephanie Lose, noted that Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone marks the culmination of a thorough accession process, which included extensive analysis and intensive preparation.
The transition to the euro is expected to open up new opportunities for Bulgaria, as the EU's common currency will support deeper integration into the European economy and bring a range of economic benefits.
One key aspect of the transition is the establishment of a fixed exchange rate between the Bulgarian lev and the euro during the conversion period. This step is designed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid financial disruptions as the currency is phased out.
Bulgaria joined the European Union on January 1, 2007, alongside Romania. However, the country has not been a member of the eurozone and has continued to use the Bulgarian lev as its national currency.
It wasn't until June 2025 that the European Commission and the European Central Bank confirmed Bulgaria had met the necessary criteria for adopting the euro.
