site.btaECB Chief: We Are Delighted to Welcome All Bulgarians into Euro Area

In a New Year video message posted on Facebook on December 31, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde highlighted Bulgaria's expected accession to the euro area on January 1.

Lagarde said: "This is not any New Year for the euro area. We are welcoming Bulgaria as a new member of the euro zone. It will be the 21st country joining, and we are delighted to welcome all the Bulgarians into the euro area using the euro. I promise that I would toast that moment and of course I will raise a glass with some good Bulgarian wine to celebrate the occasion."

Writing on Facebook, Lagarde thanked the Bulgarian National Bank for its dedicated work and commitment during the preparations for the adoption of the euro as the official currency in Bulgaria, and wished a happy and successful New Year.

Lagarde's message is one of a series of public comments she has made in the closing weeks of 2025 recognizing Bulgaria's progress on the path to euro area membership.