Bulgaria will officially switch to the euro on 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st EU Member State to join the euro area. The move follows years of preparation and is seen as a major step in the country’s deeper integration into the EU.
EU leaders say the change will make travel, payments, and trade easier for Bulgarians, while boosting transparency and reducing currency‑exchange costs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the decision a “significant achievement” that strengthens both Bulgaria and the wider European economy.
How the Transition Will Happen
The euro will replace the lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 lev per €1. For the first month of 2026, both currencies will circulate, but change from lev payments will be given in euro to speed up the switch.
Dual pricing in lev and euro has been mandatory since August 2025 and will continue until August 2026 to protect consumers. Authorities are also monitoring prices of key goods to prevent unjustified increases during the changeover.
Banks and businesses have already received euro cash in advance, and lev banknotes can be exchanged at the Bulgarian National Bank indefinitely and free of charge. By launch day, around 96% of ATMs will be dispensing euro banknotes, with the rest following shortly after.
What Is the Eurozone? A Simple Guide for Readers
The Eurozone is the group of European Union countries that use the euro as their official currency. Together, these nations form one of the world’s largest economic areas, allowing people and businesses to trade, travel, and make payments without dealing with currency‑exchange barriers.
At present, 20 EU Member States use the euro, and Bulgaria will become the 21st when it adopts the currency from 1st January 2026. The shared currency is designed to support economic stability, strengthen cooperation between countries, and make everyday life easier for citizens across Europe.
The euro also simplifies business operations across borders. Companies benefit from clearer pricing, reduced transaction costs, and a more predictable financial environment. For individuals, the euro makes travel within the Eurozone more convenient, eliminating the need to exchange money when moving from one member country to another.
Euro‑Using EU Member States (21 countries)
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Bulgaria (from 1 January 2026)
Official information about euro‑using countries is available through the European Central Bank and the European Commission. These institutions publish updated lists, policy decisions, and details on euro adoption, offering the most accurate and trusted data for anyone following developments in the Eurozone.
Useful Official Sources
- European Central Bank (ECB): Provides the official list of euro‑using countries and explains how the euro area works.
- European Commission – Economic & Financial Affairs: Publishes euro adoption updates, enlargement decisions, and official press releases.
- Eurostat: Offers economic data, Eurozone statistics, and country comparisons.
- National Central Banks: Each euro‑using country provides local guidance on the euro. For Bulgaria, this is the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).
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