Summary
Bulgaria plans to start using the euro as its currency on January 1, 2026. This change means Bulgaria will become the 21st European nation to adopt the euro, leaving six EU member countries still using their own currencies.
Key Facts
- Bulgaria will adopt the euro on January 1, 2026.
- Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union (EU) since January 1, 2007.
- Only six EU countries will remain with their own currencies: The Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
- The euro is the official currency of the EU and is used by about 350 million people.
- The European Central Bank manages the euro, which consists of six main banknotes.
- The Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) requires countries to stabilize their currency value against the euro before adoption.
- Denmark has a legal opt-out from adopting the euro, as agreed in the 1992 Edinburgh Agreement.
- Four non-EU countries also use the euro through formal agreements: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.
