European Parliament Approves Bulgaria Eurozone Accession 2026

The European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency starting January 1, 2026, with 531 votes in favor, 69 against, and 79 abstentions. This vote follows assessments from the European Commission and European Central Bank confirming Bulgaria meets all criteria for eurozone membership, and the final approval by the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) is expected imminently. Bulgaria's accession marks the culmination of nearly two decades of effort since joining the EU in 2007 and will make it the 21st eurozone member. Despite strong political opposition, much of which is seen as motivated by broader geopolitical agendas, Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell emphasized that adopting the euro remains a key democratic objective linked to Bulgaria’s full integration into the EU. The formal entry will be finalized with legal acts setting the lev-euro exchange rate, expected to remain unchanged, and an official ceremony welcoming Bulgaria to the eurozone. This move also aligns with efforts to strengthen the euro’s global profile amid shifting US trade policies.