site.btaGovernment to Propose Tougher Consumer Protections and Sanctions as Bulgaria Prepares for the Euro

The government will, within seven days, propose amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro aimed at introducing additional measures against unjustified price increases, harsher sanctions, and expanded oversight powers for the Commission for Consumer Protection, the Council of Ministers’ press service said on Monday. 

The announcement followed a meeting of the National Coordination Mechanism to oversee the monitoring and control processes related to Bulgaria’s upcoming adoption of the euro, convened by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

During the meeting, Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova presented the changes being prepared by the cabinet, based on analyses and results from inspections carried out since the beginning of June by the National Revenue Agency and the Commission for Consumer Protection. Petkova first noted the focus on counteracting attempts by certain traders to unjustifiably increase the prices of goods and services. The Finance Minister pointed out that, at present, the law provides for penalties only during the dual circulation period – from January 1 to January 31, 2026. “It is in the interests of consumers for this period to be extended, beginning from when prices are displayed in both currencies and lasting until December 31, 2026,” Petkova said, as quoted in the statement.

Another proposed change to the law concerns the labelling of goods. Checks so far show there have been attempts by certain traders to mislabel prices both in euro and in leva, thereby misleading consumers. Petkova said very clear criteria and rules must be introduced regarding the font used for prices in BGN and EUR after August 8 this year, as well as their colour, in order to prevent consumers from being misled.

Increasing the size of sanctions provided for in the Law on the Introduction of the Euro is also among the cabinet’s proposed measures, according to the Council of Ministers. The sanctions need to be higher so that they serve as a deterrent for unscrupulous traders intending to raise prices unjustifiably, Petkova said.

The oversight powers of the Commission for Consumer Protection will also be expanded. “During the period while the Law on the Introduction of the Euro is in force, additional powers must be granted to the Commission for Consumer Protection so it can respond to and carry out control actions regarding attempts at unjustified price increases for goods and services,” Petkova said, also quoted in the statement. She added that protecting consumers is at the heart of the government’s proposed changes.

On July 8, the EU Council unanimously adopted the final decisions related to Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone from January 1, 2026. With this, the procedure was completed, after the European Parliament had also approved, by a large majority earlier the same day, the report on the introduction of the European single currency by Bulgaria. The ceremony for the signing of Bulgaria’s accession documents also took place at the EU Council.