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Although I don't live in BG Yet, I am looking forward to it, it will hopefully simplify a lot of processes.

One less currency to convert, easier to compare things on the fly.

Although I do foresee a bit of inflation as things are ironed out and people get use to the currency, main places like markets will be a wild at first.

The general feeling among the locals in my village is against it, not because they're anti-EU but because of concerns it will be inflationary.

yes will be sad to see the leva go ,sort of feels right here after moving to this country 17 yrs ago, but l guess it was inevitable

sure there will be hikes in prices ,but they have been rising anyway and that is true we're ever you live

@janemulberry

generally your village Bulgarian doesnt understand monetary policy and fears change.

After adopting the Euro certain things are fixed which means the way Bulgaria generates income is limited. Look to income and Business tax rises, this will fuel inflation

One thing's for sure - it'll be a God-given opportunity for Bulgarian OC to get even richer and more powerful than they already are!

@VillageLife

its very bad as 80% of population say no and the PM the same but being over ruled by corrupt Brussels EU Commission

No one I know in our village wants it.

It’s also messy with both currencies.  We ordered some windows and doors, price in Euros but prefers cash so I have to do the conversion to Levs and then get the cash, which in itself is a pain as I need to withdraw it and it’s too much for Revolut.

@jeanmandredeix

It's a bit strange for anything other than property to be quoted in euros here, and the supplier will normally give you his calculation of the leva equivalent (and try to tell you it's 2:1 😎)

Presumably you're paying a percentage up front and the balance once they're installed to your satisfaction?

@VillageLife
its very bad as 80% of population say no and the PM the same but being over ruled by corrupt Brussels EU Commission - @exports17

I find it hard to believe Brussels as a whole are corrupt, I think this is just a feeling you have from what you may have heard or read, most anti-EU say the same thing, yet when you lift the veil and look underneath, yes its complicated, but at least there are far more checks and controls than in most countries, I would say its more inefficient than corrupt.

Also, paying in cash is another way for people or businesses to skim off more money and pay less tax, as they can easily not declare it.

I'm not saying the EU is faultless, but it is way better than many individual governments who wish to fill their own pockets at the expense of taxpayers.

Do you have any links to the reports that 80% say no to the euro, including the PM? I'd be interested to read it, Whilst you are at it, any links to show the reports on the EU as a whole being corrupt?

I can presume the general consensus from some of the regulars here but let's see...
I am curious....what are your thoughts about the imminent euro adoption?.

Will you be sad to see the leva go?.

Will it be easier for you using euros?.

Any predictions on possible changes/impacts

Etc...etc ... - @VillageLife

Why start another post? Number 5 now!!

@VillageLife

For the country, it strikes me that becoming a full Schengen member, and part of the Eurozone, are very positive steps. From a business perspective, reducing friction (of borders/customs and money) is good. For potential travellers/tourists/digital nomads, it's also good. For potential real estate buyers from other EU countries, these two factors add to Bulgaria's credibility/appeal, and slightly simplify transactions.

My guess is that it will increase demand for Bulgarian property from within the EU, and tend to increase prices. While some folks argue that Bulgarian real estate is already too expensive, I see it as very undervalued when you strictly compare like-with-like. For example, my recent Bansko purchase was at approximately 500 euros/m2, for a finished and furnished apartment (admittedly, I do still have to do some renovation work). This is way less than you'd find in other European ski/mountain resorts. We're in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's popular and touristic 2nd city. I think you can still find a few newbuilds for 1,500 euros/m2 (ours was a just under 1,000 euros/m2), and finishing from Bulgarian Standard might cost another 500 euros/m2 (less if you're frugal). But property in Hamburg, Barcelona and Marseilles are way more than 2,000 euros/m2.

I think the record of Euro introduction is that price inflation happens as a consequence. I was living in Spain when it ditched the Peseta, and some of the price increases seemed quite dramatic (especially for lower cost items). This is probably why many Bulgarians are worried. However, Bulgaria is a bit unusual in that it has had a Euro:Leva peg for many years, and the Euro is being introduced at the same rate. Logically, there's no reason why the prices should change. i suspect there will be some minor price inflation, even so.

I'm a (relatively) wealthy foreigner, with foreign income and a Bulgarian property portfolio. It's probably going to be very positive for me. If I were a typical older Bulgarian in a small village, with a low Bulgarian pension and my small village house, it can be only be bad news (even if not outrageously so).

@gwynj

Great answer...you've covered everything!

@SimCityAT

Sorry didn't see the others.

My view there will unfortunately be inflationary price rises as it give the opportunity to round up in the short term and in the long term it depends on the economy and as we have seen in Croatia they have also seen increased prices and this is despite their currency being pegged to the Euro. Polands economy is doing very well and they haven't yet transitioned i would be interested in their views as to why?

I believe that the lev has been tagged to the Euro for quite a while so fingers crossed it will be a smooth transition. Lidl already has duel pricing .

A lot of shops now show euro and lev prices, part of the changeover policy so people can see what the new costs next year will look like.

Heard the government will clamp down on any companies deliberately inflating the prices when the euro becomes the currency but that's a tough one to police.

If people notice inflated prices maybe there will be a complaints procedure but I live in a dreamworld far far away.

"...the government will clamp down.." 🤣😂😂