Overview
- The lev will be replaced at midnight local time on 1 January, with most shops already showing dual prices in lev and euros.
- Payments in lev will still be accepted throughout January, while change must be provided in euros to help retailers manage the switch.
- Banks flagged possible card and ATM disruptions around the New Year switchover, prompting queues for cash as some merchants reported missing euro starter packs.
- Public skepticism remains high, with 49% opposed in the latest Eurobarometer and the changeover proceeding after the government’s resignation and before new elections.
- ECB president Christine Lagarde expects only a short‑lived inflation bump of about 0.2–0.4 percentage points and cites sizable gains such as roughly €500 million in annual exchange‑cost savings for SMEs.