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

President Rumen Radev expresses hope that "Journey of Faith" will attract pilgrims from abroad

The head of state Rumen Radev, together with the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, launched the "Journey of Faith" initiative and expressed hope that the march would popularize Bulgaria's millennial history, culture, traditions and beautiful nature, BTA has..

published on 8/1/25 6:08 PM

Hundreds of Orthodox Christians set off on a pilgrimage to the Rila Monastery

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil has served a festive liturgy and water blessing for the feast of the Procession of the Holy Cross of the Lord in the St. Sophia church in Sofia. After the service, together with President Rumen Radev, the two launched the..

published on 8/1/25 4:39 PM
Bulgarian National Bank building

Bulgarian National Bank reduces base interest rate

The base interest rate in the country is being reduced to 1.82% as of 1 August 2025, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has announced. The reduction is by 0.09% compared to July, when it was 1.91%. The simple annual interest rate is being reduced..

published on 8/1/25 11:16 AM