Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Bulgaria Approved to Join Eurozone in 2026 by EU

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, the European Commission and European Central Bank gave the green light for Bulgaria to adopt the euro from 1 January 2026, making it the 21st nation to join the single currency area.

What criteria did Bulgaria need to meet for entry?What are the next steps after EU approval?

Since joining the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria has been working towards adopting the euro as its currency. However, after a long wait, many Bulgarians have lost their initial confidence, with 50% now expressing scepticism towards the euro, according to a Eurobarometer poll in May.

Joining the eurozone means more than just using euros – it also means a spot on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, which sets interest rates.

Today, Bulgaria is one step closer to adopting the euro.

This will mean more investment and trade with euro area partners, and more stability and prosperity for the Bulgarian people.

Bulgaria will also take its rightful place in shaping euro area decisions.

Congratulations!

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) blank”>June 4, 2025

What criteria did Bulgaria need to meet for entry?

The EU Commission stated that Bulgaria satisfied the formal requirements to adopt the currency now used by 347 million Europeans across 20 nations in a convergence report detailing how the country’s economy integrates with the rest of the eurozone.

“Today, the European Commission concluded that Bulgaria is ready to adopt the euro as of 1 January 2026 – a key milestone that would make it the twenty-first Member State to join the euro area,”

According to a statement released by the EU Commission.

The Commission also looked at whether Bulgaria’s economy and markets are integrated with the rest of the EU, as well as the trends in the country’s balance of payments.

Meanwhile, in a separate report, the ECB stated that Bulgaria was ready. ECB Executive Board Member Philip Lane said in a statement,

“I would like to congratulate Bulgaria on its outstanding commitment to making the necessary adjustments.”

Later on Wednesday, the ECB will release its own assessment on whether it believes the country is ready and if its central bank is independent. 

What are the next steps after EU approval?

With the EU executive arm giving


Comments

9 responses to “Bulgaria Approved to Join Eurozone in 2026 by EU”

  1. Bom Crossed Avatar
    Bom Crossed

    Finally, after all this time, Bulgaria is getting its shiny new euros! Can’t wait to see them trade their lev for some “serious” currency… maybe they’ll finally be able to afford the fancy coffee in Brussels! ☕💶

  2. Fire Bite Avatar
    Fire Bite

    Looks like Bulgaria finally got the nod to join the euro club—better late than never, eh? Guess they needed a few more years of “adjustments” to decide if they really wanted to swap their lev for those shiny euros. 💸

  3. Eerie Avatar

    Bulgaria joining the eurozone in 2026? Brilliant! Just what we need—another country to join the euro club and keep the “financial stability” party going… 🍷💸

  4. Day Hawk Avatar
    Day Hawk

    Just what we needed, another country joining the eurozone! Can’t wait to see how much more ‘stability’ we can squeeze out of this lovely little mess. 😂💶

  5. Boost Avatar

    Looks like Bulgaria’s been practicing for the Euro Olympics, finally ready to toss their leva into the eurozone ring – just hope they don’t trip on those shiny new coins! 💶😂

  6. Just what we needed, another country eager to join the euro club—let’s hope they’ve done their homework this time! 🤷‍♂️ Because who wouldn’t want to play musical chairs with their economy? 💶🎶

  7. Highway Avatar
    Highway

    Looks like Bulgaria’s finally getting a VIP pass to the euro club, just in time for the 2026 party! 🎉 Maybe they can bring some of that “scepticism” along as a plus-one, eh? 😏

  8. White Snare Avatar
    White Snare

    Bulgaria finally getting the green light for the euro in 2026? Well, at least now they can join the rest of us in the never-ending game of “let’s blame Brussels for everything!” 😂💶

  9. Stealth Avatar

    Oh, fantastic! Bulgaria’s finally joining the eurozone—just as we all needed another country to add to our currency collection! Can’t wait to see how they turn “lev” into “leverage” on the European stage. 💸😏

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Von der Leyen has ‘good’ call with Trump as EU pushes for July 9 trade deal

Von der Leyen has ‘good’ call with Trump as EU pushes for July 9 trade deal

The European Commission confirmed it was aiming to meet a Wednesday deadline set by Trump to finalize an agreement in principle that would include a 10 percent baseline tariff.
“We’re aiming for July 9 to achieve at least an agreement in principle with the U.S.,” said Olof Gill, the Commission’s trade spokesperson, during the midday briefing.
Gill mentioned that discussions were at “the beginning

Read More

Fourteen EU Countries Seek to Preserve Cohesion Funds for Regional Development

Fourteen EU Countries Seek to Preserve Cohesion Funds for Regional Development

Fourteen EU member states have urged the European Commission to preserve cohesion funds as a distinct tool for regional development support. This request is linked to the upcoming proposal for the EU budget after 2027, which is anticipated to be revealed in mid-July.
According to a document reviewed by PAP, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, La

Read More

Belgium’s Justice Minister Verlinden Unveils Leverage Plan

Belgium’s Justice Minister Verlinden Unveils Leverage Plan

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgium’s Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden introduced a plan to improve court buildings, security, and staff conditions, excluding pension cuts, aiming to ease protests and start further reforms.
As VRT News reported, Annelies Verlinden, the Minister of Justice, has introduced a new plan to help Belgium‘s struggling justice system. This plan aims to add

Read More

Thorsten Frei: Merz und sein engster Vertrauter

Thorsten Frei: Merz und sein engster Vertrauter

Gut acht Wochen ist Thorsten Frei nun Kanzleramtsminister. Er betonte, dass bei der Koalitionsarbeit auch die “B-Note” stimmen müsse, doch diese lässt derzeit zu wünschen übrig. Das liegt teils an Frei, der sich noch im Kommunikationsmodus eines Fraktionschefs bewegt. Dieses und weitere anekdotische Ereignisse sorgen für Verwirrung, sowohl bei den Länderchefs als auch bei der CSU und t

Read More

Slovenia Achieves Success in European CEF Call with Ten Projects

Slovenia Achieves Success in European CEF Call with Ten Projects

Brussels – The European Commission has approved 94 infrastructure projects for co-financing through EU grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Among the selected initiatives, ten are from Slovenia, including the construction of the second railway track from Divača to Koper, which will receive 156 million euros in funding.
This funding call aimed to enhance standards for the trans-Europe

Read More

Stapelstraat in Sint-Truiden Closed Due to 30cm Subsidence

Stapelstraat in Sint-Truiden Closed Due to 30cm Subsidence

Sint-Truiden (Eurotoday) – Stapelstraat in Sint-Truiden has been closed since June 29, 2025, due to a 30 cm road subsidence. Mayor Gert Stas says sewer issues or old water channels may be the cause.
As VRT News reported, the Stapelstraat, a busy road in Sint-Truiden, is closed. The road is closed because part of it is sinking. This road is between Beekstraat and Grote Markt. It has been closed s

Read More

Belarusian Opposition Leader Urges Trump to ‘Punish’ Dictator Lukashenko

Belarusian Opposition Leader Urges Trump to ‘Punish’ Dictator Lukashenko

At the American embassy in Vilnius, Tsikhanouskaya was taken aback by her husband’s condition. Siarhei had lost a significant amount of weight, and he mentioned to friends that he had forgotten how to speak while in prison. Their daughter initially did not recognize him.
“When he began speaking, she recognized only his voice,” Tsikhanouskaya said. “There were tears and hugs, but prison alters peop

Read More

Sandu: Russia Cannot Hinder EU Accession Process

Sandu: Russia Cannot Hinder EU Accession Process

Russia cannot obstruct Moldova’s European Union accession process, asserted President Maia Sandu on Friday in Chișinău following the inaugural EU-Moldova summit. She underscored that Moldova needs to be ready to join the EU even if it does not include the pro-Russian, separatist region of Transnistria.
During a press conference in Chișinău, Sandu outlined two scenarios for Moldova’s EU membership—

Read More

Denmark Calls on EU to Address Hungary’s Rights Violations

Denmark Calls on EU to Address Hungary’s Rights Violations

Copenhagen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Denmark calls on the European Union to fully utilise its legal tools to address Hungary’s breaches of fundamental rights, including considering the use of Article 7 against Budapest, Politico reported.
Denmark officially launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2025, holding the rotating six-month term until December 31, 20

Read More

Ukraine’s Revamped Frontline Fortifications to Counter Russian Advances

Ukraine’s Revamped Frontline Fortifications to Counter Russian Advances

Ukraine is adapting by constructing fortifications for progressively smaller units—transitioning from battalions of about 500, to companies of roughly 100, and now to platoons of 20 to 50 soldiers.
“Currently, the most effective setup involves a maximum of one detachment. These consist largely of trench groups, or foxholes, which prevent enemy drones from striking. Drones, especially those o

Read More