Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, Marking Major Step in EU Integration

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro as its national currency on 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area and completing a significant milestone in its European integration journey. 

The move means that Bulgaria’s national currency, the lev, has been replaced by the euro, aligning the country’s monetary system with those of most European Union member states. With the accession, the euro is now the everyday currency for more than 350 million people across the EU.  

European Commission officials, including President Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed Bulgaria into the euro area, highlighting years of sustained economic reforms and efforts to meet the strict convergence criteria required for euro adoption. The Commission’s support throughout the preparation process was decisive, underlining confidence in Bulgaria’s economic stability and institutional readiness.  

For Bulgarian citizens and businesses, the transition is expected to bring tangible benefits: simplified travel and payments within the eurozone, better price transparency and comparison, and stronger integration into European markets. Economists say these factors could boost trade and investment, as well as overall economic resilience.  

The changeover to the euro involved detailed planning to ensure a smooth transition. Both the lev and euro were used in parallel for a defined period, with fixed conversion rates ensuring financial stability. Measures were also put in place to protect consumers from unfair price increases and to support banks and retailers during the currency switch-over.  

Bulgaria’s accession to the euro area follows approval by EU finance ministers and endorsement from the European Central Bank after careful evaluation of the country’s economic performance and compliance with monetary criteria.  

This development represents a landmark achievement for Bulgaria and reflects the ongoing evolution of the European Union’s economic and monetary union. Analysts say it may also encourage further enlargement of the eurozone in the coming years.