Financial Fever in Bulgaria Ahead of Switching to the Euro
Bulgaria is facing a financial fever ahead of the introduction of the euro, accompanied by rising inflation and changes in the consumer market. There are only three days left before switching to the euro, and the country is already experiencing a series of economic challenges.
According to estimates from the Bulgarian National Bank, out of 30 billion leva in circulation, at least a third has a dubious origin. This raises concerns among experts and the population since such financial circumstances can impact the stability of the economy. Meanwhile, deposits in the non-government sector have increased by 13.6% over the past year, exceeding 150 billion leva, indicating a certain optimism among consumers.
Economic Changes and Their Consequences
Against the backdrop of these economic changes, new car sales in Bulgaria have increased by 27.4%. The country ranks second in the European Union in terms of the rate of fleet renewal. This trend may be partially related to the overall economic growth, which, however, contradicts data showing inflation exceeding 5%. It is also worth noting that housing prices increased on average by 15.4% in 2025, and up to 20% in large cities.
Financial difficulties have also affected individual citizens. In the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, a pensioner brought 4,000 leva to the bank, which had burned in a cash counting machine fire. In addition, the country's loan portfolio exceeds 120 billion leva, half of which consists of mortgage loans.
The situation in the country is complicated by political instability, as the Bulgarian government recently resigned following large-scale protests. All these factors indicate that the country is at a crossroads, where urgent solutions are needed to stabilize the economic situation before switching to the euro.
The economic challenges facing Bulgaria may significantly impact the future success of the transition to the euro.
High inflation and an unstable political situation create risks for the long-term development of the country. Government decisions made in the near future could determine not only the stability of the currency but also the overall economic situation in the country amid global economic changes.