site.btaEuro Area Membership Will Bring Stability, Investments, and Growth for Bulgaria, Says Finance Minister

Bulgaria’s eurozone membership will bring economic and price stability, eliminate currency conversion costs, and foster more investments, businesses, jobs, and, consequently, higher incomes for Bulgarian citizens, said Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova here on Tuesday. She was speaking at an event within the National Information Campaign on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria. 

According to Petkova, the Government’s main priority is to ensure that the transition to the single European currency is smooth and fair. “To guarantee a smooth and fair transition, the Government, together with the Bulgarian National Bank, is organizing local informational campaigns. It is crucial for us to meet face-to-face with citizens to answer all their questions and concerns. We have planned and are currently organizing over 100 events across the country,” the Minister said.

Petkova also addressed several myths spread by opponents of the euro.

“The first myth is that prices of goods and services will increase because we are introducing the euro. This is completely false, as price increases result from other economic factors,” she said.

“The second myth is that someone will steal our money, our Bulgarian lev. This is categorically untrue. No Bulgarian citizen or business will lose a single lev. The Bulgarian National Bank will convert the national currency into euro indefinitely at the fixed exchange rate, without any fee. Commercial banks and Bulgarian post offices will also provide free conversions at the fixed rate during the first half of 2026,” Petkova underscored.

“The third myth is that Bulgaria will become poorer and the standard of living will drop. This is not the case. Every one of us travels across Europe, our children study there, and our relatives work there. We can all see the standard of living in eurozone member states. No EU country that has joined the eEurozone has experienced a decline in citizens’ living standards or economic growth; the trend is quite the opposite,” the Minister said.

She assured that the Government will be a reliable partner for citizens and businesses, guiding them successfully through the transition to the euro, scheduled for January 1, 2026.