Overview
- Banks, businesses and shoppers begin the switchover from the lev to euro cash and payments on January 1.
- The country satisfied requirements on inflation, budget deficits, long‑term borrowing costs and exchange‑rate stability this year.
- Polling shows companies largely in favor of the change while a portion of the public remains skeptical.
- Analysts warn that limited public outreach and political instability could complicate implementation, with elderly and remote communities facing particular challenges.
- The move follows Croatia’s 2023 entry, raising euro use to over 350 million people, and comes after December protests that forced withdrawal of Bulgaria’s 2026 budget and prompted calls for early elections.