The information campaign for the euro reached 80% of Bulgarians, support for the single currency is growing

Thanks to nearly 2,000 information initiatives and meetings with different target groups throughout the country, the level of awareness of the process of Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone has reached about 80 percent, and public support for the euro is already permanently exceeding the share of opponents of the single currency. This was announced today in Brussels by the resigning Minister of Finance, Temenuzhka Petkova, quoted by the press center of the department, emphasizing the importance of the national information campaign, implemented by state institutions in partnership with the non-governmental sector.

Petkova represents Bulgaria for the first time as a full member of the Eurogroup at its regular meeting, held in the Belgian capital, after the country joined the Eurozone on January 1. Earlier today, the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Valdis Dombrovskis, told journalists that the Eurogroup will be acquainted with the practical introduction of the changes in our country related to the euro. The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance also informed that the program provides for a report by Minister Petkova, as well as statements by representatives of the European Commission (EC) and the European Central Bank (ECB) on the progress of the process of introducing the single European currency in our country.

According to Petkova, Bulgaria's transition to the single European currency is proceeding successfully and all major systems are functioning normally – money circulation is secured, payments are made without interruption, payment systems work stably, and the administration, business and citizens are adapting without significant difficulties.

The resigning Minister of Finance expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation provided by the EC and the ECB throughout the entire period of preparation and accession to the Eurozone.

Among the current priorities of the state institutions, Petkova highlighted the protection of consumer rights. Mandatory double pricing has been in force since August 2025 and will continue until August 2026, and the period of parallel circulation of the lev and the euro will last until the end of January. Violations of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro, including the prohibition of unjustified price increases, are sanctioned by the National Revenue Agency and the Commission for Consumer Protection, with inspections being carried out with priority on signals filed by citizens. Additional information on the rules for double pricing and consumer protection can be found on the official portal for the euro.

According to the data presented at the meeting, over EUR 4.3 billion have been put into circulation so far, with almost 60 percent of the available leva already withdrawn from circulation. Similar statistics were announced a few days ago by the Bulgarian National Bank, according to which almost 60 percent of the leva are out of circulation. .

"Although any major change requires time for adaptation, we are convinced that the euro will very soon become a natural part of the daily life of citizens and will contribute to greater economic stability for both Bulgaria and the Eurozone as a whole," Petkova pointed out.

Additional highlights on the topic were also presented by representatives of the EC, the ECB and the European Stability Mechanism, who congratulated the Bulgarian authorities on the logistical and technical preparation for the introduction of the euro, as well as on the communication model conducted to the public.

During the meeting, the finance ministers of the Eurozone also discussed the priorities of the policy for the Eurozone on the basis of a draft presented by the European Commission, as well as the candidates for the post of Vice-President of the European Central Bank, the statement also states.