site.btaThree Institutions to Check Together for Possible Unwarranted Increase of Prices as Bulgaria Switches to Euro

Three public institutions will conduct joint checks in the next 12 months at least, to uncover possible unwarranted increase of prices by traders who may use the euro changeover in Bulgaria for profiteering. The National Revenue Agency (NRA), the Commission on Protection of Competition and the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) signed an agreement to this effect on Friday. The deal is aimed to regulate and align the three entities’ actions and the exchange of information among them.

The positive reports of the European Commission and the European Central Bank about Bulgaria’s preparedness to join the euro area on January 1, 2026, were described by NRA Executive Director Rumen Spetsov as “an extremely important event, an extremely important step forward for the Republic of Bulgaria.” He said the control authorities “will work in a way that keeps citizens assured they will not be tricked into paying unduly inflated prices.” The control authorities have interacted well enough so far, but from now on they will exercise their powers in even closer cooperation among themselves, Spetsov said.

Checks have already started in more than 150 commercial outlets in over 30 towns across Bulgaria. The checks target 14 staple foods, but their scope will be expanded to cover restaurants and fast-food places as well.

“The main goal is to make sure there is no unwarranted increase of prices. Where prices are increased, the factors for that will be examined and analyzed,” Spetsov said. He noted that traders who raise product prices are expected to pay more VAT the next month. He called for a cautious approach to pricing policies.

CCP Chair Maria Filipova said the three institutions will show “zero tolerance for any violation by any trader.” She said a software solution is being sought to allow consumers to use a mobile device to check whether prices are shown correctly in leva and euro on dual-currency price tags in stores during Bulgaria’s transition to the euro as the national currency.