PRESS RELEASЕ
9 October 2025
The BNB purchased gold with regard to the upcoming introduction of the euro
On 8 July 2025, the EU Council adopted a Decision on the adoption of the euro by Bulgaria on 1 January 2026.
According to the rules of the European Central Bank (ECB), when adopting the euro, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) should provide foreign reserve assets to the ECB. These foreign reserve assets mainly comprise currency, as well as gold, in a ratio of 85:15. This contribution is accounted for as a BNB’s claim on the ECB and is recorded as an asset on the BNB’s balance sheet, ensuring the BNB access to the income of the Eurosystem.
In this regard, the BNB has purchased 66,000 troy ounces of gold on international markets, amounting to less than 1% of its gross foreign exchange reserves. The transactions are carried out at market prices.
The aim is to provide the necessary amount of gold without reducing the BNB’s existing gold reserves.
