site.btaBulgaria Has Clear Plan for Euro Introduction, Government Says

Bulgaria has a clear plan for the introduction of the euro from January 1, 2026 , the Government said on its official Facebook page on Saturday.

In July, the European institutions are due to adopt a decision on the introduction of the euro, and from August 2025 until the end of 2026, prices will be marked in leva and euro, the post said. The Council of Ministers recalled that receipts will show bills in both currencies.

The country's information systems will be ready for the transition by September 30. From January 1, 2026, cash payments will be in leva and euro.

From January 1 to June 30, 2026, banks and post offices in localities without bank branches will exchange leva into euro free of charge, the Council of Ministers said. At the Bulgarian National Bank, this will be done free of charge and indefinitely.

On Friday, European Union's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) endorsed Bulgaria's accession to the euro area at the beginning of next year. This was announced by European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis after the meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg.

Bulgarian Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova thanked for the objective assessment as well as for the continuous support and constructive cooperation throughout the process of preparation for euro area accession.

EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva stressed that the eurozone report on Bulgaria is objective and not a political gesture. "The report states clearly that Bulgaria is ready and has met all the required criteria," she added.

The European Council will discuss the matter at its meeting on June 26-27. The process will conclude on July 8 with the European Parliament's vote on its opinion and the adoption of the final decisions by the Council of the EU.