Bulgaria and the euro: double price marking from 8 August 2025 - Everything you need to know
Introduction
As of 8 August 2025, Bulgaria officially started its preparations for joining the Eurozone with the activation of the Euro Introduction Act. This important step, part of the process to adopt the euro as the official currency on 1 January 2026, introduces mandatory dual display of prices and receipts in Bulgarian levs (BGN) and euros (EUR). Here's what you need to know about the new requirements, the grace period and what lies ahead.
The official decision and key dates
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) adopted the last three legal acts, bringing the approval procedure to a successful conclusion. On 8 July 2025, the ECOFIN Council formally approved Bulgaria's accession to the euro area on 1 January 2026. The official exchange rate was also set: 1 euro = 1.95583 leva.
Key stages in the process:
The process of introducing the euro can be divided into stages, here are the main stages:
Stage 1: Preparatory - complete (by 8 August 2025)
- Meeting the Maastricht criteria
- Entry into ERM II in July 2020
- Adoption of EU legislation and approvals
- 8 July 2025 - The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) unanimously adopted the final decision on Bulgaria's accession to the euro area. 1 euro = BGN 1.95583 .
- Preparation of cash registers and IT systems
- Information campaigns
Stage 2: Double designation (8 August 2025 - 8 August 2026)
- August 8, 2025 - Mandatory dual labelling begins. evroto.bg
- Mandatory display of prices in both currencies
- Consumer and business adaptation to the euro
- Control over pricing
- 8 October 2025 - Grace period ends, fines begin
- August 8, 2026 - Mandatory dual-pricing period ends and only the euro remains. evroto.bg, kdp-law.com
Stage 3: Formal introduction (1 January 2026)
- 1 January 2026 - Bulgaria officially enters the eurozone
- Euro becomes the official currency
- Automatic conversion of bank accounts
- Dual circulation of banknotes and coins begins
Stage 4: Dual circulation (1 January - 31 January 2026)
- Both currencies are legal tender
- Merchants only give change in euros if you pay in euros
- Free exchange at banks continues
Stage 5: Completion (after 1 February 2026)
- 31 January 2026 - The dual circulation period ends, the euro remains the only official currency. bnb
- The euro remains the only official currency
- Free exchange at BNB continues indefinitely
- In banks and post offices - free exchange for up to 6 months, after that with a fee
Bulgaria is currently in Phase 2 or Phase 2 - the period of dual pricing, which officially starts on 8 August 2025 This phase will last for one year and is designed to help consumers and businesses gradually adapt to the new currency before its official introduction on 1 January 2026
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Dual Marking: Requirements and rules
Basic obligations
The labels must show the two prices in the same font, but there is no requirement as to which is the leading price - the one in euro or in euro. All traders who offer goods and services to consumers are obliged to display prices in both levs and euros.
Technical requirements:
- Prices in both currencies must be displayed in close proximity
- Use the same font size, type and colour
- Clear, legible and unambiguous labelling
- Mandatory inclusion of currency designations (BGN and €/EUR)
Summary:
- Format: Prices must be in the same font, legible and placed side by side (e.g. "Bread: 2.00 £ / 1.02 €"). There is no obligation to order currencies.
- Period: Dual pricing will be mandatory until 31 December 2026 to help consumers get used to the euro.
Cash receipts
- Requirements: All receipts and system receipts must show the final amount in both currencies (BGN and EUR), as well as the official conversion rate (1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN).
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Example:
...
Bread: 2.00 lv.
Milk: 3.50 lv.
Total: 5.50 le.
Total in EUR: 2.81 €
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN
... - Duty: All businesses dealing with consumers must comply with this requirement.
Conversion Rules
BGN to EUR Calculators:
The conversion is carried out according to strictly regulated rules - the amount in BGN is divided by the official exchange rate 1,95583, without rounding during the calculation. The resulting amount in euros is rounded to the second decimal place using the standard mathematical method or: under 5 - no change, 5 or more - up.
Examples of correct conversion:
Price in BGN: 5,00 BGN
Calculation: 5.00 ÷ 1.95583 = 2.55646...
Rounding. Final result: 5,00 €. / 5,56 €
Price in BGN: BGN 5.50 Calculation: 5,50 ÷ 1,95583 = 2.81211...
Rounding. Final result. 5.50 € / 2.81 €
Grace period and penalties
Retailers are given a two-month grace period to bring their cash register software and systems into compliance. Until 8 October 2025, merchants will not receive fines for non-compliance.
What the grace period includes:
- Timeframe: August 8 to October 8, 2025 .
- Objective: adaptation of cash registers, labels and software
- Control: written warnings instead of fines
Sanctions after 8 October 2025:
From 8 October 2025, breaches of the dual labelling obligations will be subject to penalties under current legislation. Control and penalties will be imposed by the competent authorities, which may apply administrative measures, coercive injunctions and other appropriate actions depending on the nature and gravity of the infringement. Subjects have the right to appeal against the measures imposed in accordance with the procedures laid down by law; for the specific procedures and amounts, see the official text of the amendments in the Official Gazette and the publications of the competent control bodies.
Exceptions to double marking
The law provides for several exceptions to the rule:
- Books and instructional materials - double marking begins January 1, 2026
- Taxymeter services - obligation takes effect from 31 October 2025
- Tags from electronic scales and self-service machines
- Invoices, credit and debit notes
Price controls and consumer protection
The period of dual display of prices of goods and services in euros and in levs will start on 8 August this year and will last until 8 August 2026. During this period, strict controls will be implemented to prevent unjustified price increases.
The government will be able to intervene when prices of essential goods and services rise sharply, and major retailers will publish prices of essential goods online daily for transparency.
Practical tips for businesses
For retailers and service providers:
- Update cash registers by 8 October 2025
- Preparation of new labels and price tags
- Staff training on new requirements
- Verification of accounting software systems
For users:
- Convening prices in euros
- Check receipts for correct exchange rate
- Reporting breaches to the CPC
Protecting consumers and preventing profiteering
The law explicitly states that the introduction of the euro may not lead to an unfair increase in the prices of goods and services unless justified by real economic factors. In practice, this means two basic principles:
- firstly, citizens should not be financially disadvantaged when prices are revalued;
- second, any increase in the consumer's final cost must have an argument;
Against this backdrop, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), the Competition Protection Commission (CPC), the NRA, the FSC and the Ministry of Interior have launched coordinated inspections and communication to prevent unfair trade practices and speculative price increases. The chairmen of the CPC and CPC said they would not allow the "euro" to be used as an excuse for unjustified price hikes, and would use all legal mechanisms to protect consumers.
During the periods of transition (double marking and double circulation) you can use the special channels for reporting infringements - the CPC mobile app, the website of "For the Euro in Bulgaria" or the CPC regional inspectorates. In the event of a complaint, regulators can request information from traders on pricing policy and, if necessary, impose sanctions after the grace period has expired. It is important for consumers to know their rights: the revaluation is free of charge for them and the trader cannot mislead the end consumer about price values
What's next for consumers in steps:
- Payments: Until 31 January 2026, you can pay in shops with levs or euros. After that, only in euros.
- Prices: You will see values in both currencies on labels, menus and websites. This allows you to see how much an item costs in BGN (at the fixed exchange rate) and choose the currency in which to pay.
- Resto: In the January 2026 market, if you pay with levs, you will receive your change in euros. As a rule, change is returned in euros during parallel circulation; however, there are exceptions (e.g., when euro cash is not available).
- Exchange: If you have levs after the end of January 2026, you can safely exchange them into euros. The BNB will exchange for free and without limit; banks' and post offices' practices vary - many institutions offer free exchange in the first ~6 months, but this is not a universal rule.
- Account Money: Bank accounts in BGN are automatically converted to EUR at the fixed rate. After 1 January 2026, all withdrawals/deposits will be made in euros without additional charges .
Historical significance
The adoption of the euro represents the culmination of an 18-year process that began with Bulgaria's entry into the EU in 2007
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"Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, congratulated Bulgaria in a European Commission press release (4 June 2025) European Commission, X (formally Twitter):
- [EN] 'Bulgaria will take its rightful place in shaping the decisions at the heart of the euro area. Congratulations, Bulgaria!'."
- [EN] 'Bulgaria will take its rightful place in shaping the decisions at the heart of the euro area. Congratulations, Bulgaria!"
For the first time in its history, our country will have a currency that is both national and European, strengthening our position in the European economic and political project.
Conclusion
The dual price marking from 8 August 2025 is an important step in Bulgaria's preparations for joining the euro area. The two-month grace period allows businesses to adapt, after which the penalties for violators begin. This process will last for one year and will help ensure a smooth transition to the euro as the official currency from 1 January 2026.
Sources:
- BNB - Questions and Answers on the Euro
- ECB - Bulgaria joins the euro
- European Commission - Bulgaria meets criteria
- Business.dir.bg - Grace period
- Lex.bg
- Parliament.bg
The data and facts in the article are current as of August 14, 2025
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