From August 8, goods and services in Bulgaria must have labels with two currencies - both in leva and in euros. Most traders are ready for the change.
The labels must show both prices in the same font, but there is no requirement which is leading - the one in leva or in euros. Many consumers are confused by the double indication of prices. Some customers perceive the price in euros as the final one and are surprised at the checkout when they have to pay the real value in leva, recalls dariknews.bg.
Although prices are indicated in both currencies, payments in euros in Bulgaria will start from January 1, 2026. From this date, the euro will become the official currency and will be used for all payments. In January 2026, there will be a period of parallel circulation of the lev and the euro, and it will be possible to pay in both currencies, with the merchant returning the change in euros.
The changes to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria are also expected to come into force on August 8. Among the novelties in them is the introduction of a two-month period during which traders will not be fined if they have not written prices in lev and euro simultaneously. In the previous version of the regulations, traders were obliged to introduce the dual designation from August 8, and failure to comply with this deadline provided for fines, which will now begin to be imposed from October 8.
The changes to the law were finally adopted by the National Assembly on July 30.
According to the texts of the law, the Council of Ministers may adopt temporary countermeasures in the event of a significant increase in the prices of essential goods and services. It is regulated that prices will be "accompanied by the writing of the relevant currency, a distinctive sign or abbreviation, made in the same size, type and color of font, allowing for their easy recognition".
During the period of dual labeling, traders who offer goods and services to consumers shall form their prices in good faith and transparently. When changing prices, they are obliged, upon request, to provide the control authorities with documents regarding the presence of objective economic factors, the provisions also state.
When the changes to the law were finally adopted, the plenary hall allowed businesses a deferral until October 8 of this year to bring their activities into line with all requirements, including dual labeling of prices, setting of cash registers and the requirement for large traders to publish a daily list of the final selling prices of the goods offered. Until then, the control authorities will not impose the sanctions provided for in the law. During the grace period until October 8, traders will not be fined for irregularities, the aim being to give them the opportunity to adapt.
The measures against possible unscrupulous price increases by traders in connection with Bulgaria's membership in the eurozone will be valid until August 8, 2026, and not until the end of next year, as envisaged in the texts at first reading, which were submitted by the Council of Ministers.
Traders who set their prices in bad faith during the period of dual indication of prices in levs and euros risk property sanctions in the amount of between BGN 5,000 and BGN 1 million, the law stipulates. Large retail chains will publish on their websites the final selling prices of all offered goods and services from the large consumer basket on a daily basis. Fines for failure to comply with the requirement to publish the price list will not be applied within one month of the law coming into force.
The changes to the law provide that persons providing taxi transportation of passengers must comply with the obligation to dually display prices from October 31, 2025.
The dual display of the selling price of books, textbooks, teaching aids and other printed works, including educational books and educational sets, children's books with illustrations, for drawing or coloring, printed or handwritten sheet music publications begins on January 1, 2026, according to the legal changes.