site.btaOfficials, Experts Continue Explaining Benefits of Adopting the Euro Across Bulgaria

The nationwide information campaign on the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria continued with meetings in four more regional centres – Veliko Tarnovo, Smolyan, Vratsa and Montana – as well as in smaller towns across the country. Ministers, government officials involved in the process, and experts took part in the events, explaining the main stages, deadlines, and Bulgaria’s preparedness to join the single currency on January 1, 2026. In smaller municipalities, citizens also had the opportunity to ask questions to experts from the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC).

Veliko Tarnovo

The information event in Veliko Tarnovo brought together ministers, deputy ministers, mayors and institutional representatives in the municipal hall, as part of the campaign organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Bulgarian National Bank. The discussion was moderated by Zornitsa Rusinova, Chair of the Economic and Social Council.

Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said that euro area membership means economic and price stability, eliminating conversion costs from leva to euro. It also translates into more investment, more enterprises, more jobs, economic growth, and higher incomes for Bulgarian citizens, she noted. Petkova stressed that the government’s main priority is to ensure a smooth and fair transition to the single currency.

Minister of E-Government Valentin Mundrov underlined that the euro will bring predictability in prices, trade and investment, removing risks and strengthening confidence in Bulgaria as a secure and modern economic environment.

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that eurozone membership will facilitate trade operations for companies in the defence sector.

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh commented that while the euro will not magically transform tourism, it will highlight Bulgaria’s strengths as a destination and allow businesses to communicate more easily in a common currency with Europe’s largest economies.

Vratsa

In Vratsa, Mundrov said that the readiness of public administrations in the euro introduction process is about 98%. He added that the ministry maintains a public online platform with up-to-date data tracking administrative progress.

Petar Mishev of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) emphasized that higher incomes remain a key argument for Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone.

Montana

Around 300 participants – citizens, business representatives, NGOs and public officials, attended the information meeting in the conference hall of Hotel Jitomir in Montana.

Deputy Finance Minister Metodi Metodiev said Bulgaria’s prudent fiscal policy since the introduction of the currency board has prepared the country to benefit from euro area membership. He noted that over 98% of public sector IT systems are already adapted for the euro, and all 236 municipalities have adjusted their regulations. The banking sector and much of the private sector are also ready. He added that the information campaign is underway in all regional centres and will soon reach some 200 larger towns.

Smolyan

Tourism Minister Borshosh also took part in the meeting in Smolyan, where he underlined that eurozone membership will make Bulgaria an even more attractive and secure tourist destination. Hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour operators already work with the euro, he said, adding that joining the eurozone aligns Bulgaria with countries that are moving forward.

Other Locations

Additional meetings, organised by the CPC, were held in smaller towns. In Asenovgrad, experts clarified that cashless payments will remain optional. In Apriltsi, it was explained that leva will be exchanged without fees for six months in banks and post offices, and indefinitely at the Bulgarian National Bank.

In Boboshevo, officials noted that all existing bank accounts and electronic payment instruments will be automatically converted to euros at the fixed exchange rate, without action required from customers and with no commissions charged. As of October 8, fines will apply to retailers who fail to display receipts and price tags in both leva and euros.

In Borovan, the head of the National Revenue Agency’s Montana office, Anushka Valova, explained that retailers will be required to operate dual cash registers throughout January 2026, accepting both currencies.

Information meetings were also held in Bregovo, Velingrad, Vetovo, General Toshevo, Gramada, Devnya, Dimitrovgrad, Dolna Mitropolia, Zemen, Ivaylovgrad, Kostinbrod, Kotel, Lukovit, Lyaskovets, Madan, Mizia, Oryahovo, Petrich, Popovo, Provadia, Radomir, Samokov, Sapareva Banya, Satovcha, Slivnitsa, Sevlievo, Sozopol, Stamboliyski, Pavel Banya, Peshtera, Hisarya, Hitrino, Tsar Kaloyan, Chepelare and Cherven Bryag.

In the week starting Monday, meetings will take place in the regional centres of Kardzhali, Haskovo, Yambol and Sliven. Citizens will also be able to consult CPC experts in Veliki Preslav, Valchedram, Dalgopol, Berkovitsa, Dimovo, Zlataritsa, Gotse Delchev, Pravets and Brezovo.

The aim of the campaign is to provide citizens with clear, detailed and reliable information on the main stages and deadlines of the euro introduction process.

The euro information meetings are a joint effort between the responsible institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Bulgarian National Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), the National Revenue Agency, the Financial Supervision Commission, the National Social Security Institute, among others.

The nationwide information campaign was launched in Burgas (on the Black Sea) on September 2. Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro as of January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.