Bulgaria is poised to officially switch to the euro as its currency starting January 1, representing a crucial development for both the nation and the European Union. This significant shift comes after a rigorous preparation phase, during which Bulgaria satisfied all euro adoption criteria successfully.
The shift to the euro is anticipated to provide meaningful benefits for Bulgarian citizens and businesses alike. It will streamline travel and residence within the eurozone, improve market transparency, elevate competitiveness, and ease cross-border trade. Moreover, the euro's banknotes and coins will serve as symbols of the freedoms and opportunities connected to EU membership.
The European Commission has played a vital role in supporting Bulgaria throughout its accession journey. With Bulgaria’s inclusion, the euro will now be used by 21 EU member states, representing over 357 million people. Public sentiment is notably favorable, with recent Eurobarometer findings showing strong support among EU residents for the euro's benefits for the Union and individual nations.
As of January 1, the euro will gradually take the place of the Bulgarian lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 lev to €1. For a month, both currencies will circulate concurrently to ensure a seamless transition. Payments made in lev during this timeframe will return change in euro, aiding in the gradual phasing out of the lev.
Since August 2025, displaying dual prices in both lev and euro has been a legal requirement, a practice that will continue until August 2026. To protect consumers and avert unnecessary price hikes during this period, stringent consumer protection laws will be enforced, backed by public information campaigns.
By January 1, 96% of ATMs in Bulgaria will be dispensing euro notes, with the remaining machines scheduled for upgrades within two weeks.
The European Commission's 2025 Convergence Report confirms that Bulgaria meets all requirements for euro adoption, a finding supported by the European Central Bank's evaluations.
The final green light for Bulgaria's euro adoption was granted by EU Finance Ministers in July 2025, clearing the way for this significant economic transition.
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