site.btaCurrency Conversion, Consumer Protection Key Topics of Euro-Related Information Meetings in Haskovo, Dalgopol, Ruen, Berkovitsa, Zlataritsa, Dimovo, Mikrevo

Information meetings, part of the National Information Campaign for the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria, were held Tuesday in Haskovo, Dalgopol, Ruen, Berkovitsa, Dimovo, Zlataritsa, and the village of Mikrevo. 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.

At the meeting in Haskovo, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov said that institutions are prepared and businesses are progressing in their preparations for the introduction of the euro. He pointed out that some of the benefits are already visible, recalling that immediately after the final decision to adopt the euro in Bulgaria was announced, the country’s credit rating was raised by one notch, with another upgrade expected shortly after the currency is formally introduced.

In Dalgopol, representatives of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and the National Revenue Agency (NRA) explained the BGN/EUR conversion process, consumer rights, and procedures for reporting violations, among other issues.

During the meeting in Ruen, participants were informed that businesses could face fines ranging from BGN 600 to BGN 7,000 for incorrectly converting prices.

In Berkovitsa, CPC and NRA experts explained to residents the stages and timelines of Bulgaria’s euro adoption process.

In Zlataritsa, citizens asked experts from the CPC and NRA whether they were convinced that adopting the euro was truly beneficial for Bulgaria’s future. Todor Nikov of the CPC responded that Bulgarians should remain calm, as the transition would bring only advantages for the country and that there was no cause for concern.

Residents of Dimovo raised worries that in small communities where there is only one grocery store, people hesitate to ask for a receipt. In response, Svilen Ivanov of CPC-Vidin and Irena Ilieva, Director of NRA-Vidin, assured them that when a complaint triggers an inspection, the identity of the complainant is never disclosed. Ivanov added that when multiple reports are filed against a single trader, they inevitably lead to results.

In the village of Mikrevo, Strumyani Municipality, the meeting focused on cashless payments, pricing, and dual labelling. Experts encouraged citizens to actively seek information and report irregularities to ensure that the transition to the new currency is smooth and transparent.

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.