Bulgaria mints new coins as it prepares for switch to euro

Bulgaria is preparing to adopt the euro as its currency on Thursday (January 1), becoming the 21st country in Europe to do so amid some public scepticism and worries that it may result in price rises for everyday goods.

It comes two years after the last country, Croatia, joined in January 2023 and will push the number of Europeans using the currency to more than 350 million.

Bulgaria's euro coins, which incorporate elements of national symbols, will feature various designs.

The 1 euro coin will depict Ivan of Rila, a revered patron saint and founder of the country's largest Rila Monastery.

The 2 euro coin will honour Saint Paisius of Hilendar, an Orthodox monk and figure in Bulgaria's national revival.

The edge of the 2 euro coin will be inscribed with the phrase, "God protect Bulgaria" in Cyrillic script.

In preparation for the currency switch, Bulgaria's Cabinet has declared December 31, 2025, and January 2, 2026, as public holidays to accommodate technical adjustments required for the transition.

Regular business operations in 2026 will resume on Monday, January 5.

Becoming a member of the eurozone, apart from using euro notes and coins, also means a seat at the European Central Bank's rate-setting Governing Council.

-Malgorzata Wojtunik