The Ministry of Economy and Industry is placing particular emphasis on consumer protection and business support throughout the transition
Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone is among the country’s key foreign policy priorities, and the adoption of the single European currency, as one of the symbols of the European Union, is proof of the deepening of Bulgaria’s European integration. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dontcho Barbalov in Burgas, during the first in a series of information events to be held across the country in connection with the introduction of the euro.
“With its accession to the Eurozone, Bulgaria will become part of a community in which nearly 400 million citizens of 20 EU Member States use the euro as their national currency,” Barbalov emphasised.
He pointed out that the transition from the lev to the euro is a complex and multifaceted process requiring thorough preparation at all levels of the economy and society. In order to ensure a smooth and calm transition, the Ministry of Economy and Industry is working in close cooperation with the Consumer Protection Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the National Revenue Agency, the Financial Supervision Commission, and other institutions. The aim is for the process to be transparent, fair, and free of speculative practices.
Among the ministry’s main priorities are: the clear and legible dual display of prices in levs and euros; compliance with conversion and rounding rules; monitoring of average prices of essential goods and services; and control over any unjustified price increases.
“Large retailers with an annual turnover exceeding 10 million levs will be required to publish daily information on the prices of goods from the consumer basket, in order to guarantee transparency and protect citizens’ interests,” Barbalov stressed.
“An important part of our work is also supporting businesses through methodological guidance on the implementation of dual pricing, and on the possibility for purchases to be paid for in either levs or euros. The Ministry has already developed Guidelines for the Proper Implementation of the Obligation for Dual Display of Prices of Goods and Services. With the latest amendments to the Euro Act, the period for dual pricing has been set until 8 August 2026, with a grace period until 8 October, during which the supervisory authorities will issue recommendations rather than impose sanctions,” explained the Deputy Minister.
According to him, the introduction of the euro is a national priority requiring unity, consistency, and cooperation. “Only through the combined efforts of the state, business, and civil society can we ensure a successful transition, in which the rights of Bulgarian consumers will be fully protected,” Barbalov added.
The information event in Burgas is the first in a series forming part of the National Information Campaign for the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria. The aim of the campaign is to provide citizens with clear, detailed, and reliable information on the main stages and deadlines of the euro adoption process.
The meeting was attended by Rossen Jeliazkov – Prime Minister, Temenuzhka Petkova – Minister of Finance, Grozdran Karajov – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Zhecho Stankov – Minister of Energy, Miroslav Borshosh – Minister of Tourism, Dimitar Nikolov – Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Radev – Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, Yordanka Chobanova – Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, as well as representatives of local authorities, non-governmental organisations, businesses, and citizens.