EC: The decisions on Bulgaria’s admission to the euro area have already been adopted and remain in force
BRUSSELS – The decisions on the admission of Bulgaria to the eurozone have already been adopted and remain in force. This was stated by a spokesperson of the European Commission (EC) at a press conference in response to a question whether it is possible for a change to occur by January 1 next year because of the political situation in Bulgaria.
Asked whether there is a “technical possibility” for Bulgaria not to enter the eurozone from the beginning of next year, or to leave after it has once been admitted, the spokesperson explained that the answer to this question is very clear. There are certain requirements (for joining the eurozone) and Bulgaria has met them, he said. All the relevant decisions were taken and it is envisaged that from January 1 Bulgaria will introduce the euro, the spokesperson summed up.
Bulgaria will be the 21st member of the eurozone from January 1, 2026 – 19 years after the country’s accession to the European Union. The Council of the EU voted unanimously on July 8, 2025 on the final decisions related to the adoption of the euro in the country. With this, the procedure was completed, after earlier the same day the European Parliament also approved by a large majority the report on the introduction of the single European currency by Bulgaria.
From December 1 the sale of starter kits with Bulgarian euro coins for citizens and businesses began in the country.
The EC’s position came against the background of events in the country in recent weeks. After a series of anti-government protests, on December 11 the Bulgarian government with Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov resigned, and on the next day it was voted on by the National Assembly.
On the same day, the party “Vazrazhdane”, which during the year organized several protests against Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone, announced its intention to propose that parliament adopt a decision obliging the Council of Ministers to request a one-year postponement of the introduction of the euro. However, the leader of the party Kostadin Kostadinov stated that he does not expect the proposal to receive support from the other parliamentary forces. (12.12.2025)
