site.btaUPDATED Finance Minister Petkova Confident That Bulgaria Is Ready to Adopt Euro on January 1, 2026

"The Bulgarian government is well aware that the successful introduction of the euro depends on how ready the country is for this process, and in this regard, I can confidently say that Bulgaria is ready to introduce the euro on January 1, 2026," said Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova at a conference on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria—effects and practical aspects for business—on Thursday.

The forum, organized by the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, is being held at the French Cultural Institute in Sofia.

According to Petkova, Bulgaria is on the verge of achieving one of its most important strategic goals, namely to become a member of the eurozone.

"We have come a long way to get here, overcoming a series of challenges over the years, but in February 2025, Bulgaria fulfilled all four numerical criteria to enable it to request the preparation of an extraordinary convergence report," she said, adding that conclusions from the European Central Bank and the European Commission on the reports are expected on June 4.

"I hope for a positive assessment, as all the prerequisites for this are in place," Petkova said.

She expressed her gratitude to the finance ministers of Germany and France for their support for Bulgaria on the path to the eurozone to the ambassadors of the two countries, Irene Maria Plank and Joel Meyer, who took part in the forum.

"We have no doubt that Bulgaria's eurozone membership will bring enormous benefits to our country," Petkova said.

According to her, the adoption of the euro on January 1, 2026, means financial and economic stability for the country, more investment, economic growth, and the completion of Bulgaria's full integration into the European Union.

Petkova noted that the adoption of the euro in Germany and France went through various debates within society—a process that is now being observed in Bulgaria.

"There is also a debate going on in Bulgarian society at the moment, which has been going on for several years, but now things are really coming to a head. The Bulgarian government is well aware that the successful introduction of the euro in Bulgaria depends on how ready Bulgaria is for this process. In this regard, I can confidently say that Bulgaria, the Bulgarian government, is ready to introduce the euro in Bulgaria on January 1, 2026," Petkova said.

According to her, Bulgaria has adopted legislation for the introduction of the euro, which clearly sets out all the steps and stages that must be completed, and changes are also underway in the subordinate legislation governing the activities of the relevant sectors and industries of the Bulgarian economy.

Petkova pointed out that full information on all processes and upcoming changes can be found on the website evroto.bg. She noted that technical preparation for the introduction of the euro is of paramount importance, pointing out that by September 30, 2025, the information systems of the state administration will be adapted to the euro.

The finance minister pointed out that the government is working closely with the Association of Bulgarian Banks and the Bulgarian National Bank, and that the banking system in Bulgaria is ready for the euro.

"One of the biggest challenges is how to combat fake news regarding the introduction of the euro and Bulgaria's membership in the eurozone, how to dispel people's fears, which of course can be done through a major information campaign, which our government is ready to launch and is currently underway, but after June 4, I hope it will be launched in full," Petkova said.

According to her, the latest sociological studies show a positive trend in Bulgarian society's attitude toward adopting the euro, which is a source of hope and optimism.

The Bulgarian government is ready to introduce and adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, for Bulgaria to take its rightful place in the eurozone, Petkova said.