On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will officially become the 21st member of the euro area, marking a major milestone in its financial and economic integration with the European Union. For global payroll and mobility teams, this transition presents important opportunities and operational changes that must be navigated with care.
The Council of the European Union has confirmed the irrevocable conversion rate of the Bulgarian lev (BGN) at 1.95583 per euro (EUR). This is the same central rate that has applied since Bulgaria joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) on 10 July 2020, and it will remain in place until the euro is officially adopted.