ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria could adopt the euro on 1 January 2026, predicts IME

Photo: ЕПА/БГНЕС

On the basis of December inflation data published yesterday by Eurostat, the Institute for Market Economics (IME) forecasts that the country could join the eurozone from 1 January next year.

Compared to December 2024, the average annual inflation in the country is 2.6 per cent, while the lowest in the European Union are: 0.9 per cent in Lithuania, 1 per cent in Finland and 1.1 per cent in Italy. The criterion that Bulgaria has to meet, according to the Maastricht Treaty, is the average of the countries with the lowest inflation plus 1.5 points. This means that Bulgaria's deviation is 0.1 per cent.

"In this sense, as of December 2024, the benchmark has not been met in its pure form," said Petar Ganev of the institute.
There is a parliamentary resolution that obliges Bulgaria to submit a request for an extraordinary assessment within two weeks of formally meeting all the criteria for eurozone membership. The realistic date for joining the single European currency is 1 January 2026, according to the IME.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    criteria eurozone ime inflation prognosis

More from category

Medical University Sofia ranks No 1144 in 2025–2026 Best Global Universities Rankings

Medical University Sofia has been ranked as the best university in Bulgaria according to the 2025–2026 Best Global Universities ranking by U.S. News & World Report. With a global score of 38.1, Medical University Sofia is ranked No 1144. The..

published on 7/25/25 1:14 PM

A TB screening campaign will be held for refugees in the country

The State Agency for Refugees is supporting a joint initiative by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bulgarian Red Cross to screen asylum seekers in the country for tuberculosis . This was announced by the Agency's..

published on 7/25/25 11:48 AM
Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov

Moroccan migrant shot trying to enter Bulgaria from Turkey

A Moroccan national was shot while illegally crossing the Bulgarian-Turkish border near the village of Zvezdets, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, Director of the Border Police, announced. Around 9 p.m. on July 24, a border patrol..

published on 7/25/25 9:36 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Partly Cloudy
Min: 21 | Max: 41
Clear
Min: 23 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 23 | Max: 32
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 20 | Max: 42
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 26 | Max: 42
Clear
Min: 25 | Max: 42
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 40
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 40
Partly Cloudy
Min: 19 | Max: 41
Clear
Min: 23 | Max: 42
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 23 | Max: 43
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 41
Partly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 39
Clear
Min: 23 | Max: 43
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 42
Clear
Min: 23 | Max: 40
Clear
Min: 25 | Max: 43
Clear
Min: 25 | Max: 41
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 40
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 36
Partly Cloudy
Min: 23 | Max: 39
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 42
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 40
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 42
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 40
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 42
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Moroccan migrant shot trying to enter Bulgaria from Turkey

A Moroccan national was shot while illegally crossing the Bulgarian-Turkish border near the village of Zvezdets, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov,..

published on 7/25/25 9:36 AM

Bulgaria’s position on the Gaza Strip remains unchanged

Bulgaria’s position on the Gaza Strip remains unchanged. The priority is direct dialogue with Israel, aimed at improving the humanitarian situation in..

published on 7/24/25 10:51 AM

Organized criminal group led by Russian citizen and involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes has been dismantled

An organized crime group involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes – dollars and euros, as well in holding counterfeit Bulgarian..

published on 7/24/25 2:30 PM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"