Bulgaria will join the eurozone in 2026 after approval by EU ministers

Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the eurozone on January 1, 2026, after the finance ministers of the European Union on Friday officially approved the country's transition to the euro. 

This decision was made based on positive assessments of Bulgaria's readiness by both the European Commission and the European Central Bank. EU leaders are expected to confirm this decision at a summit in Brussels on June 27.

EU finance ministers will determine the exchange rate for converting Bulgarian leva into euro at a meeting in early July. This will create a six-month preparatory period for Bulgaria's technical transition until the beginning of 2026.

Bulgaria has been striving to adopt the euro since its accession to the European Union in 2007. However, public opinion in the country has changed, and according to a Eurobarometer survey conducted in May, 50% of Bulgarians express skepticism about the new currency. Some citizens are concerned about the possible price increases associated with the transition to the euro.