Overview
- Bulgaria becomes the 21st eurozone member as the lev and euro circulate together through 31 January before the euro becomes sole legal tender on 1 February.
- The conversion rate is fixed at 1.95583 leva per euro, and dual price display continues until 8 August 2026.
- Prime minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his cabinet resigned in December after mass protests over corruption and the 2026 budget, with elections expected in the spring.
- Polling shows roughly half the public opposed to the switch as the caretaker authorities threaten sanctions for unjustified price increases and the ECB highlights historically small, temporary inflation effects.
- The Bulgarian National Bank will exchange leva for euros indefinitely free of charge, while banks and some post offices provide free cash exchanges through 30 June 2026 and may charge fees until services wind down by 31 December 2026.