site.btaSofia Ready for the Euro, No Price Hikes, Mayor Terziev Says

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev wrote on Facebook on Saturday that the capital is ready for the adoption of the euro, with no price hikes and even lower public transport fares. He recalled that Sofia Municipality has adopted a package of amendments to municipal ordinances in connection with the introduction of the euro as of January 1, 2026.

Terziev stressed that the approach is based on full transparency, with no hidden increases and no new burdens for citizens or businesses. According to him, no new fees are being introduced, no penalties are being increased, and the euro is not being used as a pretext for price rises.

In a number of cases, including public transport, the effect is even the opposite, the mayor noted, as prices are reduced due to rounding down.

Terziev gave examples of the changes: the “30+” ticket will drop from BGN 1.60 to EUR 0.80 (a reduction of around EUR 0.04), while the “60+” ticket will fall from BGN 2.20 to EUR 1.10 (a reduction of EUR 0.05). A single ticket purchased from a ticket office or vending machine, currently costing BGN 1.60, will also be priced at EUR 0.80. A one-day pass will decrease from BGN 4 to EUR 2, the night pass from BGN 2 to EUR 1, the 24-hour pass from BGN 6 to EUR 3, and the 72-hour pass from BGN 15 to EUR 7.60.

A monthly pass for all lines will increase slightly from BGN 50 to EUR 25.50, while the monthly pass for pupils and students will drop from BGN 15 to EUR 7.50, Terziev added.

The household waste collection fee will remain unchanged, both in terms of its amount and the methodology used to calculate it, the Mayor said.

“As we already said, when presenting the draft budget, no increases in local taxes and fees are planned for 2026,” Terziev noted. He added that the focus remains on better financial management, investments in the city, and higher efficiency, rather than placing an additional burden on citizens and businesses.

The Sofia Municipal Council held a meeting on December 18, with more than 120 items on the agenda, including amendments to the ordinance regulating local tax rates, as well as changes to the rules governing tenders and competitions, all linked to the introduction of the euro as Bulgaria’s official currency.