Bulgaria will adopt euros from January 1, 2026, thus becoming the 21st country entering the area of the single currency. Photo source: dreamstime.com
All retailers in Bulgaria are obliged, from August 8, to display the prices of the goods in both the national currency, the Leva and in the euro. The rule applies to both physical stores and commercial units and is part of the preparations of this country for accession to the euro area, from January 1, 2026, according to the Bulgarian news agency.
Anti-speculative measures are meant to limit incorrect price increases and will be in force until August 8, 2026.
Thus, from today, both prices must appear on labels next to each other, with an identical font, with the same size and color. Also, the promotional offers must be marked separately and clearly distinguish from the standard price. The exceptions are in the case of taxis, gas stations and cigarette sales, where the dual price system is not required.
According to Novinite, the retailers have a period of two months, until October 8, to update their software to perform the regulations. The official conversion rate must be exactly 1.95583 Leva for one euro.
Legal experts have already expressed their concern that some elasters could use different colors schemes, displaying, for example, red font prices, which would give a false discount impression. Although the law does not provide for what currency should be displayed, an inadequate format can cause confusion or misinformation.
A separate clause prohibits price increases until the end of 2025 if they are not justified by economic objectives. If unjustified price increases are observed, the Government can act without the prior approval of the Parliament.
Large companies, with an annual turnover of over 10 million Leva, now have new obligations. Until 07:00 I have from the last working day of each week, they have to publish the final retail prices for basic consumption goods, such as food, drinks, tobacco and medicines.
The companies expressed their firm opposition to these changes in the regulations, considering them excessively restrictive and burdensome. The updated measures were published in the last edition of the Official Monitor in Bulgaria, this being the third consecutive edition containing changes related to the transition to Euro.
