Smooth transition to the euro: How Bulgaria is preparing for the adoption of the single currency

As a financial analyst, I view this important step for Bulgaria through the prism of recent news, macroeconomic indicators, and the experience of other countries already members of the Eurozone.

According to official data, Bulgaria meets the criteria for accession - annual inflation is below 2.8%, government debt is below 60% of GDP, and the deficit remains below 3%. The lev has been pegged to the euro since 1999, which facilitates the technical transition.

However, around 50% of Bulgarians remain skeptical or against the introduction of the euro, mainly due to speculation about "massive price increases" and examples from other countries where consumers felt "psychological inflation". The lack of sufficient information also contributes to these concerns.

However, the historical experience of countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia shows that there is no long-term inflationary wave - only a temporary rounding-up effect on some cheap goods, while the perception of "price increases" often does not match the real data.

In the case of Bulgaria, the fixed exchange rate, the preparatory measures of the BNB and the government, as well as the additional liquidity in the banking system, create the conditions for a smooth transition. A one-time and limited rounding effect (0.1%-0.3%) is expected, more psychological than a real inflationary effect.

In conclusion, joining the Eurozone is a strategic and economically logical step for Bulgaria. Macroeconomic stability, institutional readiness, and the experience of other countries show that a massive price increase is not expected. An effective communication and monitoring of the transition will be a key factor.

This article represents an expert economic analysis based on public data as of June 2025. The text does not provide individual financial advice, but expresses the opinion of the author as a financial analyst focused on the economy of Bulgaria and the EU.