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

Precipitation will stop from west to east

On Saturday, the lowest temperatures will be between 2 and 7°C; in Sofia - about 2°C. Precipitation will begin to stop, but during the day, cloudiness over the country will remain significant. Rainy weather will persist in the..

published on 10/3/25 7:20 PM

Presidential Administration will not use cars of the National Service for Protection

The cars of the National Service for Protection will no longer be at the disposal of the administration of the presidential institution, the MPs have decided, BNR reporter Daniel Inkov informed. This does not apply to the cars used..

published on 10/3/25 4:21 PM

Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign agreement on cross-border railway tunnel

The Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Agreement between Bulgaria and North Macedonia on the preparation, construction and operation of a cross-border railway tunnel. “Following correspondence, notes were received from..

published on 10/3/25 3:40 PM