Podcast in English
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.

More from category

Day of Sofia celebrated with a number of events

September 17 is the holiday of the city of Sofia and a day on which we honor the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia. The city got its name from the Basilica of St. Sophia located in the center of the capital city, which is among the..

published on 9/17/25 7:55 AM

Bulgarian Parliament will debate fifth vote of no confidence in Rosen Zhelyazkov's cabinet

The Bulgarian National Assembly will hold debates today on the fifth vote of no confidence against the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov. The vote itself is expected to take place on Thursday.  PP-DB tables another no-confidence vote against Rosen..

published on 9/17/25 6:05 AM

Cool atmospheric front will pass through the country

On Wednesday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 11 to 16°C, in Sofia - 14°C . A cold atmospheric front will pass through the country, with cloudiness being more often significant. From the northwest to the southeast, it will rain in..

published on 9/16/25 7:35 PM