On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will officially become the 21st member of the eurozone, adopting the euro as its national currency. This historic event will complete the country’s long-standing process of integration into the European economic system, which began with its accession to the EU in 2007.
The decision to adopt the euro was finally approved by the Council of the EU in July 2025 following positive reports from the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) confirming that Bulgaria had met all the convergence criteria: price stability, budget deficit, long-term interest rates and exchange rate. The exchange rate is fixed at 1 euro = 1.95583 Bulgarian lev, which is the same rate at which the lev has been pegged to the euro since 1999.
From 1 to 31 January 2026, the lev and the euro will circulate in parallel as legal tender. Change will be given mainly in euros. From 1 February 2026, the euro will become the sole official currency. Non-cash payments (cards, transfers) will switch to the euro as early as 1 January. The exchange of levs for euros will be free of charge at banks and post offices until the end of June 2026, and at the Bulgarian National Bank — indefinitely.
The transition to the euro promises Bulgarians greater economic stability, lower transaction costs, increased investment and full integration into the eurozone. ECB President Christine Lagarde called it ‘a step towards a common future for Europe.’ However, public opinion is divided: some citizens fear price increases, even though the authorities have introduced strict controls on unjustified price rises.
Bulgaria is following in the footsteps of Croatia, which adopted the euro in 2023. After that, six countries will remain outside the eurozone in the EU, including Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic.
This marks the end of the era of the Bulgarian lev — one of Europe’s oldest currencies — and opens a new chapter in the country’s history.