The Eurogroup endorsed a recommendation by euro area member states for the Council of the European Union to allow Bulgaria to introduce the euro on 1 January 2026, based on the European Commission and European Central Bank’s positive assessments of Bulgaria’s compliance with the convergence criteria. The endorsement is positioned as the first step toward the Council adopting the legal acts needed for Bulgaria to join the euro area and start using the euro as its official currency. The recommendation is set to be adopted by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 20 June 2025 by a qualified majority of euro area member states, ahead of a European Council discussion on 26-27 June. The process is expected to conclude in July with the Council adopting three legal acts after consulting the European Parliament and the European Central Bank.
European Council 2025-06-19
European Council outlines next steps after Eurogroup endorses Bulgaria’s euro adoption from 1 January 2026
The Eurogroup endorsed a recommendation for the Council of the European Union to permit Bulgaria to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026, following positive assessments from the European Commission and European Central Bank. This initiates the process for the Council to adopt necessary legal acts for Bulgaria's euro area entry. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council is set to adopt the recommendation on 20 June 2025, concluding in July.