SOFIA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st eurozone member.
During the month of January, the Bulgarian lev (BGN) will continue to circulate. However, starting from Feb. 1, the euro will become the sole legal tender in the country.
From Jan. 1 to June 30, people can still exchange lev for euros free of charge at banks and post offices. After this period, a fee will be charged for the exchange.
On June 4, 2025, the European Commission announced that Bulgaria met the criteria to adopt the euro starting Jan. 1, 2026. ■