Overview
- Bulgaria becomes the eurozone’s 21st member on January 1 after years of preparation and recent parliamentary approvals.
- During a transition through January 31, consumers can pay in both lev and euro before euro-only payments take effect.
- The ECB forecasts a short-lived inflation bump of about 0.2–0.4 percentage points, and authorities have empowered oversight bodies to curb unjustified price hikes.
- Polling shows a sharply divided public, with significant opposition and uncertainty alongside Russian-linked disinformation campaigns and anti-euro protests.
- Political instability following the government’s resignation clouds the rollout as leaders highlight benefits such as lower financing costs, roughly €500 million in SME exchange-fee savings, and gains for tourism.