• Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, following EU approval.
• Public sentiment is divided, with 50% of Bulgarians opposing the euro.
• Concerns exist regarding inflation and economic stability during the transition.
• The government plans campaigns to mitigate fears and ensure price monitoring.
• Historical skepticism stems from corruption and political instability in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has officially been cleared to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, after the European Commission and the European Central Bank confirmed that the country met the necessary convergence criteria. This move will make Bulgaria the 21st member of the eurozone, marking a significant step for the nation, which joined the EU in 2007. According to the European Commission, adopting the euro will facilitate better trade relations and increase foreign investment opportunities for Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member state, which faces economic challenges. This approval follows years of efforts by Bulgarian authorities to align their economy with EU standards, as outlined in a convergence report according to Reuters, AA, and Le Monde.

Public opinion, however, remains mixed as a recent Eurobarometer poll revealed that 50% of Bulgarians opposed the euro, reflecting growing concerns over potential price increases and inflation. Many fear that the shift from the lev to the euro will lead to higher costs of living similar to experiences in other EU member states. Petar Ganev, a senior researcher, stated, “When you don’t trust the institutions in the country, it is much harder to make any transition... especially when it comes to joining the euro,” highlighting the erosion of trust amid a backdrop of political instability and corruption Reuters, TRT Global, and Le Monde.

The Bulgarian government has committed to addressing public fears by launching campaigns focused on price stability during the transition period. Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova emphasized the need for constant monitoring to prevent “unjustified price increases” as the country prepares for the switch AA, Reuters, and Le Monde.

Demonstrations organized by opposition groups reflecting the public’s apprehension have also surfaced, with protests claiming "no to Euro colonialism." Many Bulgarians, including the elderly, worry that the euro adoption will exacerbate economic hardships. Nikola Ragev, a pensioner, noted the difficulty: “The change will be hard... People have become very poor and count their stotinki (pennies) when they shop, not euros” TRT Global and Reuters.