"Residents in Sofia expressed concerns about the impact of the euro adoption on prices, as Bulgaria became the 21st member of the Eurozone on Thursday. Footage shows people using ATMs and withdrawing euros, while many businesses list prices in both euros and Bulgarian lev. Until August 8, 2026, dual pricing will continue as required by law, with identical font, size, and colour. “Expectations are for great chaos. For speculation in prices in the food market and other industries. My expectations are generally for difficult times and not for a short period of time,” said local Dimitar. Several residents criticised the delay of a referendum. “I am absolutely in favour of a referendum, and it should have been held [...] this was deliberately not done,” Dimitar said. Throughout January, citizens can pay in cash at retail outlets in both lev and euros, with merchants required to return change in only one currency. From February 1, the euro will be the sole legal tender. Citizens can also exchange levs for euros at commercial banks without fees until mid-year. Others welcomed the move, citing practical benefits. “I’m completely positive. We travel a lot abroad, and this will reduce transaction costs. I think the authorities handled the information campaign well,” said Georgi. Meanwhile, Italian tourist Marian shared her hope that Bulgaria's experience of adjusting to the euro will be smoother than that experienced by her own country. "At a European level, you will certainly have advantages, but at an economic level for the people, there will be difficulties," she warned. "Because automatically salaries are halved, while the cost of living remains the same." "I hope you do better than us, because we went through some bad times," she added. The adoption comes 19 years after Bulgaria joined the European Union. The lev has been the country’s currency since 1881, but has been pegged to European currencies since 1997—first the Deutschmark, then the euro."