site.bta46.5% of Bulgarians, 66.3% of Bulgarian Businesses Approve of Bulgaria Joining Eurozone, Alpha Research

Some 46.5% of Bulgarians and 66.3% of Bulgarian businesses approve of Bulgaria joining the eurozone, according to May 2025 data from a survey by the sociological agency Alpha Research. Somewhat or completely disapprove 46.8% of citizens and 33.6% of businesses. 6.7% of citizens and 0.1% of businesses are unable to assess. 

The survey was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance and conducted between April 8 and 16, 2025, and May 22-28, 2025. The survey is representative of the country's population aged 16 and over and of businesses in Bulgaria. 

A total of 45.2% of citizens and 65.4% of businesses said in April that they approve of Bulgaria joining the eurozone. According to the data, 5.8% of citizens cannot judge, and 49% are against it. Among businesses, 34.6% are rather disapproving. When asked "Do you approve of Bulgaria joining the eurozone" in November 2022, 32.8% of citizens and 64.3% of businesses said they approve, while 50.4% of citizens and 33.3% of businesses were somewhat or completely not in favour. A total of 16.8% of citizens and 2.4% of businesses said they could not judge.

The short-term effects of introducing the single European currency in Bulgaria will be entirely or mostly positive, according to 35% of citizens and 53.2% of businesses in May 2025, while 55.9% of citizens and 39.4% of businesses believe that the effects will be entirely or mostly negative. A total of 9.1% of citizens and 7.4% of businesses are unable to assess the situation. In April 2025, 38% of citizens and 57% of businesses responded that the effects would be positive, while 53.4% of citizens and 36% of businesses responded that they would be negative. 8.6% of citizens and 7% of businesses are unable to assess the effects.

In the long term, 48% of citizens and 60% of businesses in May 2025 said the effects would be entirely or mostly positive. 39.1% of citizens and 35.1% of businesses said the effects would be entirely or mostly negative. 12.9% of citizens and 4.4% of businesses were unable to assess the effects. 

Among the expected positive effects for citizens in April are convenience when travelling and paying abroad (61.1%), people will not lose out on the exchange of levs into euros and vice versa (44.3%), easier trade with other European countries (33.8%), money in banks will be exchanged into euros free of charge (21.8%), and Bulgaria will confirm its European identity and will not be left in another zone of influence (19.3%). The effects mentioned by businesses are that transaction costs will be reduced (39.2%), interest in investing in Bulgaria will increase (38%), business competitiveness will improve (28.8%), the costs of attracting foreign partners will decrease (26.8%), and interest rates on loans will decrease (26.2%).

The expected negative effects for citizens in April 2025 are that the prices of goods will increase (65.5%), inflation will increase (59.4%), there will be a risk of fraud/artificial price increases by dishonest traders (55.9%), it will be difficult for people to navigate the new currency (48%), and people's salaries/pensions will decrease (39.3%). According to businesses, the negative effects are that the prices of goods will increase (42.8%), labour costs will increase (38%), prices of the raw materials will also increase (35.4%), it will be very difficult for micro-businesses to adapt (30.4%), and it will be difficult to revalue prices (12.6%).

The data for May show that, according to 56.3% of citizens and 64.3% of businesses, Bulgaria should continue its integration into the European Union. When asked "Should Bulgaria continue its integration into the EU or not?", 29.6% of citizens said it should not continue, while 14% said they could not judge. When asked the same question, 27.4% of businesses responded that it should not continue, while 8.3% were unable to decide.