<p><strong>On 1 January 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU.</strong></p>

<p>Bulgaria applied for membership of the European Union on 18th December 1995 and started its accession negociations in February 2000. The negociations were successfully concluded in December 2004 and the Accession Treaty was signed in April 2005.</p>

EU - Bulgaria

<div style="padding-top: 10px;"><strong>From January to June 2018, Bulgaria holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the first time, following the Estonian and preceding the Austrian Presidency. </strong></div>

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.</div>

Bulgarian Presidency

On Tuesday, MEPs adopt their opinion on Bulgaria’s bid to become the newest member of the euro area from 1 January 2026.

The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee adopted a favourable opinion on 24 June, with 46 votes in favour, 3 against and 5 abstentions. This opinion has now been tabled for a vote in plenary.

With Bulgaria joining the euro area, 21 of the EU’s 27 member countries will have the euro as their currency.

A press conference with the rapporteur Eva Maydell (EPP, Bulgaria) is held at 14:00 CET on Tuesday in the European Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room in Strasbourg.

Vote on the adoption by Bulgaria of the euro on 1st January 2025

Press conference on the adoption by Bulgaria of the euro on 1 January 2026

EP Plenary session - Voting session

Stockshot - Bulgaria joining the Schengen area.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister

EP Plenary session - Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders

EP Plenary session - ' This is Europe ' debate with Nikolay DENKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nikolay DENKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister - Press Point

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nikolay DENKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister

Eva MAYDELL (EPP, BG), rapporteur for the report, holds a press conference on the adoption by Bulgaria of the euro on 1st January 2026. On 8 July 2025, the European Parliament, by 531 votes in favour, 69 against and 79 abstentions, adopted a report confirming Bulgaria fulfills the criteria for adopting the euro on 1st January 2026. After confirmation by EU member states, Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the Euro area.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Eva MAYDELL (EPP, BG), rapporteur for the report on the adoption by Bulgaria of the euro on 1st January 2026

1. Votes on requests for urgent procedure (Rule 170) European Climate Law The European Climate Law sets a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 2. Maydell (A10-0113/2025) - Bulgaria's adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026 On Tuesday, MEPs adopt their opinion on Bulgaria’s bid to become the newest member of the euro area from 1 January 2026. The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee adopted a favourable opinion on 24 June, with 46 votes in favour, 3 against and 5 abstentions. This opinion has now been tabled for a vote in plenary. With Bulgaria joining the euro area, 21 of the EU’s 27 member countries will have the euro as their currency. A press conference with the rapporteur Eva Maydell (EPP, Bulgaria) is held at 14:00 CET on Tuesday in the European Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room in Strasbourg.

Voting Session: Bulgaria's adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026

On 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria entered the Schengen area. The Schengen Area is an area comprising 29 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. Of the 27 EU member states, 25 participate in the Schengen Area. Cyprus and Ireland do not at this time. The four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, have signed agreements in association with the Schengen Agreement. This video stockshot provides illustration footage of free border passage between Romania and Bulgaria at the Calafat (Romania) – Vidin (Bulgaria) bridge over the Danube, and near the Nădlac II border crossing point on the A1/M43 motorway between Romania and Hungary.

Infoclip: Romania joining the Schengen area

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister, give a joint press conference in Strasbourg.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister in Strasbourg. This news item shows extracts from the arrival, the meeting and the roundtable.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister: arrival, meeting and roundtable

EP President, Roberta METSOLA, opens the plenary session with a statement on the full accession to Schengen of Romania and Bulgaria. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on Romania and Bulgaria full accession to Schengen

Commission statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

Commission statement on Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders.

EU - Bulgaria (T)

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