site.btaFinance Minister Petkova: Public Support for Euro Consistently Exceeds Opposition

Through nearly 2,000 informational events and meetings for various target groups across the country, the level of public awareness about Bulgaria’s process of joining the eurozone has reached around 80%, and public support for the euro now consistently exceeds that of opponents of the single currency, outgoing Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said in Brussels on Monday, quoted by the ministry’s press office. Petkova highlighted the importance of the national information campaign carried out by state institutions in partnership with the non-governmental sector.

The Finance Minister represented Bulgaria for the first time as a full member of the Eurogroup at its regular meeting in the Belgian capital, following the country’s accession to the eurozone on January 1. Earlier on Monday, European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis told journalists that the Eurogroup would be briefed on the practical implementation of the euro-related changes in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Ministry also announced that the program includes reporting on the process of introducing the single European currency in the country by Minister Petkova, representatives of the European Commission (EC), and the European Central Bank (ECB).

According to Petkova, Bulgaria’s transition to the single European currency is proceeding successfully, and all key systems are functioning normally - the cash supply is ensured, payments are being made without interruption, payment systems are operating steadily, and the administration, businesses, and citizens are adapting without significant difficulties.

The Bulgarian Finance Minister expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation of the European Commission and the European Central Bank throughout the entire process of preparation for and accession to the eurozone.

Among the current priorities of state institutions, the Finance Minister highlighted consumer protection. Dual price labeling has been in effect since August 2025 and will continue until August 2026, while the period of dual circulation of the lev and the euro will last until the end of January. Violations of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro, including the prohibition of unjustified price increases, are sanctioned by the National Revenue Agency and the Consumer Protection Commission, with inspections carried out primarily based on citizen reports.

According to data presented at the meeting, over EUR 4.3 billion are currently in circulation, and nearly 60% of the available levs have already been withdrawn from circulation. Similar statistics were provided recently by the Bulgarian National Bank.

“Although every major change requires time for adaptation, we are confident that the euro will quickly become a natural part of citizens’ daily lives and will contribute to greater economic stability both for Bulgaria and for the eurozone as a whole,” Petkova said.

Additional information on the topic was provided by representatives of the European Commission (EC), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Stability Mechanism, who congratulated the Bulgarian authorities on the logistical and technical preparation for the introduction of the euro, as well as on the communication campaign that was carried out.

During the meeting, the finance ministers of the eurozone also discussed the priorities of eurozone policy based on a draft presented by the European Commission, as well as the candidates for the position of Vice-President of the European Central Bank.