Bulgarians began withdrawing euros for the first time on Thursday after the nation officially joined the eurozone as its 21st member, marking a historic step in its deeper integration into the European Union.
Cash machines in the capital, Sofia, dispensed brand-new euro banknotes, replacing the national currency, the lev.
While the lev will remain in circulation for cash payments throughout January, all change will now be given exclusively in euros.
Bulgaria's shift to the euro represents a significant milestone in the country’s history, especially after the major economic and political transformation the country has faced in the past 40 years.
In the same context, Bulgaria is required to decline inflation below 2.7 to qualify for eurozone membership.
All EU member states commit in principle to adopting the euro, but the process can take years, and some countries have delayed the transition. For example, Croatia changed its currency in 2023.
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