Fact Check: Bulgaria will adopt the euro as its currency on January 1, 2026.

Fact Check: Bulgaria Will Adopt the Euro as Its Currency on January 1, 2026

What We Know

Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2026. This decision was confirmed by the European Parliament, which voted overwhelmingly in favor of Bulgaria's bid to join the Eurozone, with a vote tally of 531 in favor, 69 against, and 79 abstentions (source-1). The European Union's finance ministers also approved the final legal steps necessary for Bulgaria to introduce the euro, including setting the conversion rate at 1.95583 Bulgarian lev per euro, which corresponds to the current central rate in the exchange rate mechanism (source-3, source-4).

The adoption of the euro is seen as a significant step towards Bulgaria's full integration into the European Union, with rapporteur Eva Maydell stating that all criteria for joining the Eurozone have been met (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Bulgaria will adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, is supported by multiple credible sources. The European Parliament's endorsement and the approval from EU finance ministers are significant indicators of Bulgaria's readiness to transition to the euro. The overwhelming majority in the parliamentary vote suggests a strong consensus on this issue, which adds to the reliability of the information (source-1, source-6).

Moreover, the legal framework established by the EU finance ministers, which includes the conversion rate for the lev to euro, indicates that the necessary preparations are in place for this transition (source-3, source-4).

The sources used in this analysis are from reputable institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, which are both authoritative on matters related to EU policy and legislation. This lends further credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The evidence clearly supports the claim that Bulgaria will adopt the euro as its currency on January 1, 2026. The formal endorsements from both the European Parliament and EU finance ministers confirm that Bulgaria has met the necessary criteria and is on track to become the 21st member of the Eurozone.