site.btaFinance Minister Petkova: Bulgaria Is Fully Prepared to Join Eurozone Jan. 1, 2026

Bulgaria is fully prepared to introduce the euro on January 1, 2026, both at the national and local levels, stated Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova during a high-level conference “Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the Eurozone.” Co-organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), the event was part of a communication campaign aimed at preparing Bulgaria for the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026. 

Minister Petkova participated alongside Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism.

In her speech, she outlined Bulgaria's path to eurozone membership, which began with the country's accession to the European Union. According to her, the process has been long and challenging but has evolved into a strategic goal, with one of the key successes being Bulgaria's accession to the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) and the Banking Union in 2020.

Minister Petkova reminded the audience that since then, efforts have focused on meeting the criteria and harmonizing national legislation with European standards, including the adoption of the roadmap to introduce the euro. She highlighted the 2024 Euro Law, all related subordinate regulations, and the new Bulgarian National Bank Act aligned with European rules.

Among the key milestones toward adopting the euro, Petkova emphasized the successful alignment of national information systems related to the introduction of the single currency, underlining that Bulgaria is also ready from a technological perspective.

The Finance Minister also emphasized the need for society and businesses to have access to objective information about the benefits of adopting the euro and the specific steps in the process, to dispel fears that, according to her, have been fostered by anti-European parties.

She cited data showing that over 51% of citizens support adopting the euro - a sign that Petkova deemed positive and indicative of public attitudes.

“I can confidently say that Bulgaria is ready to successfully introduce the euro from January 1, 2026,” the minister declared, expressing her gratitude to all institutions and partners for their support in the country's path to the eurozone.

She also thanked everyone for their support along this journey.

The forum was also attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pascal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup (via videoconference), and Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB).