site.btaInformation Event on Euro Introduction Held in Plovdiv

An information event was held in Plovdiv on Thursday as part of the national campaign for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. This country is set to adopt the euro as of January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone.

Economy and Industry Minister Petar Dilov said that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are the backbone of the Bulgarian economy and they will be the biggest beneficiaries of the introduction of the euro. He emphasized that for SME the elimination of currency conversion costs means direct savings. The common currency will also facilitate the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to European markets, and contracts with partners from abroad will be more secure, the Minister pointed out, adding that these companies will have more resources for investments, innovations and expansion of their activities.

Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev stated that the commercial register is fully ready for Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone. He noted that the turnover of tens of thousands of Bulgarian companies was written in leva until now, but from now on it will be written in euro. Bulgaria's admission to the eurozone means an opportunity for economic and price stability, and Plovdiv as an industrial face of Bulgaria has an exceptional benefit from this, Georgiev emphasized.

Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov commented that Bulgaria is still realizing that by becoming part of the eurozone, it will have much more chances for economic security and financial stability. He noted that this will apply to all areas of State policy, and it is especially important for the environment. "We all have expectations, we all have concerns, we all have some predictions about the effects that may occur after January 1, 2026. But we must realize that this process is a great challenge for all of us. It is a path to many direct benefits for Bulgarian business. This will also allow us access to the so-called green investments," Genov pointed out.

The Electronic Governance Ministry has identified information systems, which cover financial data, and has prepared a methodology for their adaptation to the euro as early as 2024, e-Government Minister Valentin Mundrov said. "Thus, we have laid a solid foundation for the timely and high-quality implementation of the requirements set out in the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria Act," he noted.

Deputy Finance Minister Metodi Metodiev said that Bulgaria's future membership of the eurozone is an opportunity and a prerequisite for better, faster growth. "We are only weeks away from the practical introduction of the euro, which has been a commitment of our country since 2007 with its entry into the European Union. [...]. Hundreds of experts have contributed to the effort, various institutions. They worked hard over the years so that we could be here today," he emphasized.

With its dynamic business sector, universities and civic engagement, Plovdiv will be one of the drivers of euro adoption in Bulgaria, Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov said. "This meeting is an opportunity for an open conversation, so that we can hear the experts, discuss the benefits and challenges, and move forward together more informed and confident," he said, adding that discussion and the exchange of ideas and opinions are key to a common understanding that adopting the euro offers a real chance for a more stable, predictable and successful future.

The events of the national campaign for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria are intended as a platform for leading national institutions involved in the euro changeover to provide clear, detailed and reliable information on the main stages and deadlines of the process. Partners in the campaign are the Economic and Social Council, the National Association of Municipalities, employers' and trade union organizations and the Association of Banks in Bulgaria.