The first postage stamp for the following year will mark one of the most important events for Bulgaria in the near future – joining the Eurozone. The announcement came from the press center of the Ministry of Transport, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov signed the thematic philatelic plan for the year.
For collectors in the country and abroad, this stamp is long-awaited. It marks the end of a period marked by the Bulgarian lev as the national currency, and marks the beginning of a new one, closing a collection cycle with a history of over 140 years. For Bulgaria, such a transition has only happened once before – at the end of the 19th century, when the introduction of the national currency led to the release of philatelic editions in leva, replacing the previous santimi.
In the "Transport" section, a special edition is planned, which is of significant interest to collectors of thematic philatelic products. The 125th anniversary of the launch of the first tram and the 85th anniversary of the launch of the first trolleybus in Sofia are noted. The streets of the capital and the country invariably connect these means of transport with the history of Bulgarian urbanization. These types of transport, together with trains, are among the most preferred themes among collectors around the world.
2026 will mark the beginning of a new thematic series in Bulgarian stamp publishing – "Bulgarian Queens", the ministry points out. In the "Bulgaria and the World" section, the postage stamps will present the images of emblematic Hollywood stars – Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Marilyn Monroe. This decision underlines Bulgaria's links with world culture.
Traditionally, the theme "Fauna" always provokes great interest. This time the edition will be dedicated to the birds inhabiting the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. As if on the shore, the feeling of closeness to nature intertwines with hopes for a greener future.
In the context of joining the Eurozone, from January 1, 2026, new basic postage stamps will be put into use, which will be used for internal correspondence and for providing a universal postal service. Personalized stamps will also acquire a new vision and prices in euros. These editions will focus on the cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria, which is an important part of national identity.
In addition, in October, a jubilee edition of a postage stamp dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria's membership in the UN was validated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is further evidence of Bulgaria's active role on the international stage.