Bulgaria adopts euro, 20 years after joining EUAFP, SOFIABulgaria yesterday became the 21st country to switch to the euro as it entered the new year, a milestone met with cheers and fears, nearly 20 years after the Balkan nation joined the EU. At midnight, Bulgaria gave up the lev currency, which has been in use since the late 19th century, and Bulgarian euro coins were projected onto the central bank’s building. People hold euro banknotes as they celebrate New Year’s Day and Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro in front of the Bulgarian National Bank in Sofia yesterday. Revelers light sparklers as they celebrate the new year in front of the Bulgarian National Bank in Sofia yesterday, as Bulgaria officially adopted the euro. “The whole of Europe has managed with the euro, we’ll manage, too,” retiree Vlad said.

Source: Taipei Times January 01, 2026 17:31 UTC