Fact Check: Bulgaria’s Euro Adoption Claim Mostly False Amid Eighth Election

Bulgaria’s latest exit poll shows Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria leading with 38.1 % of the vote as the country faces its eighth parliamentary election in five years.

TL;DR The claim that Bulgaria adopted the euro in January this year is mostly false; the country joined the EU in 2007 but continues to use the Bulgarian lev.

**Claim** Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 and adopted the euro as its currency in January this year.

**Evidence** Bulgaria became an EU member on 1 January 2007. The official currency remains the Bulgarian lev (BGN). No legislation or announcement has replaced the lev with the euro, and the government has only set a target date for future euro adoption.

**Verdict** Mostly false.

**Analysis** The first part of the claim is accurate: Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007. The second part is incorrect; the euro has not been introduced, and the lev is still legal tender. The confusion may stem from ongoing discussions about meeting euro‑zone criteria, but as of now the currency change has not occurred.

Watch for official updates on Bulgaria’s euro‑adoption timeline and the coalition negotiations following the exit poll results.