Introduction
As of today, Bulgaria is in the eurozone. Years of delays over inflation targets and banking alignment finally ended, and leva notes just became souvenirs.
Main Content
What Changes Today
- Euro becomes legal tender; dual pricing will stick around for the transition window.
- ATMs, online banking, and POS systems are swapping over; expect some hiccups.
- Salaries and contracts convert at the fixed rate; check your invoices.
Who Wins, Who Worries
- Tourism gets simpler—no more exchange friction for EU visitors.
- Exporters gain from reduced FX risk; small shops may stress over repricing and fees.
- Inflation hawks watching closely; price rounding during transitions can spike receipts.
Callout
Official conversion rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN. Anything else is a bad deal.
Pro Tip
Visiting soon? Use cards from large banks; smaller ATMs may lag in firmware updates during the first week.
Watch Out
Scammers love currency switchovers. Verify notes and receipts, and avoid “exclusive” street exchange offers.
Key Takeaways
- Bulgaria is now eurozone country number 21.
- Short-term friction likely in payments; long-term FX stability improves trade.
- Inflation data over Q1 will be the honesty test for the transition.
Conclusion
Smooth transitions are rare but possible. If Bulgaria keeps payment rails steady and tames rounding creep, this could be a clean entry. Watch January receipts and February inflation prints.