BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO IN BULGARIA – DIFFERENCES BY FIRM SIZE

This article uses data from the 2025 Business Barometer survey, covering 800 enterprises of various scales, and examines Bulgarian businesses’ attitudes toward adopting the euro, focusing on differences by company size. The study situates business perceptions within Bulgaria’s historical, political, and economic context of euro area integration and it compares international experiences in Eastern Europe, noting both successes and challenges, with the ongoing domestic debate. Results show apparent divisions among the researched enterprises: larger and export-oriented firms generally view the euro as an opportunity, whereas micro and small enterprises perceive risks, especially regarding adaptation costs and inflation. Key challenges for Bulgarian businesses, such as administrative burdens, labor shortages, and unfair competition, are mostly unrelated to the currency change. The conclusions are that successful euro adoption will rely not only on macroeconomic readiness but also on clear communication, consistent institutions, and targeted support for vulnerable firms to ensure a smooth transition and maximize benefits for the domestic economy.