Bulgaria is on track to adopt the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2026, after meeting all necessary criteria, according to the European Commission’s 2025 Convergence Report released Wednesday.
The report, issued at Bulgaria’s request, confirmed that the country fulfills all four nominal convergence criteria for joining the eurozone and that its legislation is in full alignment with EU standards. The Commission described this milestone as a “critical and historic step” in Bulgaria’s integration into the euro area.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the announcement, stating, “Thanks to the euro, Bulgaria’s economy will become stronger, with more trade, investment, access to finance, quality jobs and rising real incomes.”
Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the euro area, pending formal approval by the EU Council. The Commission’s findings were released alongside a similar assessment by the European Central Bank. Bulgaria formally requested the report in February 2025.
