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

European Parliament's Security Committee discusses Vezhen ship incident in the Baltic Sea

The case with the detained Bulgarian ship Vezhen was discussed behind closed doors in the European Parliament's Security and Defense Committee on Tuesday, announced Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov. According to him, it is possible that third parties on..

published on 1/30/25 8:54 AM
The memorial plaque honouring Dimitar Nachovich

Svishtov celebrates 169 years since the first chitalishte was founded in Bulgaria

Svishtov on the Danube is celebrating 169 years since the first Bulgarian chitalishte was founded. The official celebrations will take place at the memorial plaque honouring Dimitar Nachovich. The chitalishte in Svishtov was founded on 30..

published on 1/30/25 7:35 AM
Maria Drencheva

Terms and conditions for applying for AI excellence program EXPLORER presented today

The terms and conditions for applying for the new stage of the EXPLORER programme of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology INSAIT at the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia are to be presented today...

published on 1/30/25 6:35 AM