EC: North Macedonia Is Not Taking Decisive Steps Toward the EU, Must Include Bulgarians in Its Constitution

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos told the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee that North Macedonia must implement its constitutional amendments and that there has been no progress on this issue over the past year. “North Macedonia...

Paying in Levs or Euros in January 2026: Change in Either Currency Allowed During Bulgaria’s Euro Transition

From January 2026, Bulgarians will be able to make payments in both levs and euros across all shops, restaurants and service establishments, without facing any sanctions for receiving change in levs. The transition period, lasting through January,...

Bulgaria Records EU's Fourth-highest Rate of Working People at Risk of Poverty in 2024

Bulgaria had the fourth-highest highest rate of people who were in-work and at risk of poverty in the European Union in 2024, show Eurostat data published here on Monday. With 11.8% it trailed behind only Luxembourg (13.4%), Spain (11.2%) and...

Bulgaria is among the EU countries with the highest percentage of workers at risk of poverty

In 2024, 8.2% of people aged 18 or over who declared to be at work (either employed or self-employed) in the EU were at risk of poverty, according to data from Eurostat, cited by the BNR's Horizont channel. In Bulgaria, this share reached 11.8%....

Attention carriers: Bulgaria temporarily suspends traffic on Giurgiu–Ruse Friendship Bridge

The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania informs Moldovan citizens of the temporary suspension of road traffic on Giurgiu–Ruse Friendship Bridge on 4-5 November, according to the decision by Bulgarian...

Central Bank Deputy Chief: The Ruling Coalition Should Avoid Tax Hikes to Protect Bulgaria’s Economy

Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank Petar Chobanov has urged the ruling coalition not to raise taxes, warning that such a move would place unnecessary strain on the economy and local businesses. In an interview with BNT, Chobanov...

Bulgaria: Urgent reform needed to prevent erosion of media freedom

While Bulgaria has experienced modest progress on media freedom in the last four years, the situation remains undermined by persistent structural, legal, and political challenges, with urgent action needed by government and public authorities to...

Christine Lagarde: The euro adds to, rather than takes away from, Bulgaria's sovereignty

Bulgaria has come a long way, many reforms have been carried out, many laws have been passed. The euro is the beginning of the journey, not the end goal. This was stated by the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde in...

BNB Governor Radev Says Bulgaria’s Accession to Eurozone Is Historical Inevitability

Addressing the high-level conference “Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the Eurozone” in Sofia, Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Governor Dimitar Radev said that Bulgaria’s accession to the euro area was a historical inevitability, as the country was one...

IMF Managing Director Georgieva Urges Bulgaria to Sustain Growth Beyond Euro Adoption

Addressing the high-level conference “Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the Eurozone” in Sofia on Tuesday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that although adopting the euro is an important step, it does not in...

IMF’s Georgieva: From January 1, Bulgaria Joins Eurozone Decision Table with Full Rights

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that from January 1 Bulgaria will have full participation in eurozone decision-making, emphasizing that the country’s success will depend on maintaining discipline and sound policies. Speaking at the...

Two Massive Kangals Tear Man’s Leg in Bulgarian Village

A 91-year-old resident of the village of Plazishte, located in the Dzhebel region, was hospitalized after being attacked by two Kangal dogs, according to information from the Kardzhali Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry, cited by BTA....

President Radev Hands National Flag to 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition

President Rumen Radev presented the national flag to members of the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition at a ceremony held in the Coat of Arms Hall of the President's Administration on Tuesday. The flag was accepted by the leader of the...

Lilyana Pavlova: The Euro Marks a New Strategic Stage for Bulgaria and Europe

“Bulgaria is ready for the euro. Today’s event marks not only the conclusion of a long process but also the beginning of a new strategic stage for both Bulgaria and Europe.” This was stated by Lilyana Pavlova, former Minister of Regional...

Bulgaria’s Tourism Sector: We're Not Ready for Euro Adoption on New Year’s!

The chairman of the Union of Tourist Businesses, Malin Bystrin, has expressed serious concerns over Bulgaria’s readiness to adopt the euro starting January 1. According to Bystrin, the tourism sector will be the first to encounter the new...

Bulgaria Faces Monthly Losses of 50 Million Euros Due to Lukoil Export Ban, Says Ex-Energy Minister

Former Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov has warned that Bulgaria could face substantial economic losses due to the recent parliamentary decision to ban Lukoil from exporting diesel and aviation fuel. Speaking on bTV, Nikolov emphasized the...

Bulgaria to participate again in Eurovision Song Contest in 2026

Bulgaria is to participate in the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest, which will celebrate its 70th edition in 2026. The return is part of the Bulgarian National Television’s efforts to promote Bulgarian culture and talent to an international...

Bulgarian Schools to Ban on Mobile Phones as of January

A ban on the use of mobile phones in schools is expected to come into force in January 2026 with the conclusive adoption of amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act, Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev said on Monday in the...

€10.5 Billion Debt Bomb: Bulgaria's First Euro Budget Triggers Fierce Backlash

Bulgaria has published its draft state budget for 2026, marking a historic milestone as the country's first budget calculated entirely in euros before it enters the eurozone on January 1st, 2026. However, the landmark document has been met with...

Bulgaria restricts oil exports, explores sanctions exemption

Bulgaria is introducing a temporary restriction on the export and intra-EU sale of petroleum products, primarily diesel and jet fuel. The move comes after the US imposed sanctions on the Russian oil company Lukoil, which owns Bulgaria’s largest...