The European Central Bank has adopted a decision setting transitional provisions for applying the Eurosystem’s minimum reserve requirements to credit institutions and branches located in Bulgaria following the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2026. The measures are designed to integrate Bulgarian institutions into the minimum reserve system smoothly given that the regular reserve maintenance period spans 23 December 2025 to 10 February 2026. The decision establishes a transitional maintenance period from 1 January to 10 February 2026 for the imposition of minimum reserve requirements on institutions in Bulgaria, and sets out specific rules for applying the requirements during that period, including the method for calculating the reserve base for liabilities owed to institutions in Bulgaria. It also allows institutions located in other euro area countries to decide to deduct liabilities owed to Bulgarian institutions from their reserve base for the maintenance periods from 23 December 2025 to 10 February 2026 and from 11 February to 24 March 2026. The decision will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
European Central Bank 2025-10-13
European Central Bank adopts transitional minimum reserve rules for Bulgarian banks ahead of euro adoption
The European Central Bank has set transitional provisions for applying the Eurosystem’s minimum reserve requirements to credit institutions and branches in Bulgaria, effective 1 January 2026. This includes a transitional maintenance period from 1 January to 10 February 2026, detailing rules for calculating reserve bases and allowing deductions for liabilities owed to Bulgarian institutions. The decision will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.