Bulgaria Joins the Eurozone as 21st Member on Jan. 1, 2026

Overview

• At midnight the euro became legal tender and the lev was retired, with Sofia marking the moment with central bank projections and fireworks.
• Bulgaria becomes the 21st user of the single currency and gains a seat on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council.
• The changeover follows the government’s December resignation after mass anti‑corruption protests, with party leaders saying an eighth election in five years is now most likely.
• Polls show a divided public and concerns over price rises, and the government announced sanctions for retailers imposing unjustified increases.
• EU approval reflected years of convergence work, with inflation near 2.8%, a budget deficit around 3%, and public debt about 24% of GDP.