The European Central Bank is anticipated to approve Bulgaria as the 21st member of the eurozone starting in 2026, while Poland, despite robust economic growth, remains distant from adopting the common currency due to political opposition and public skepticism.
Bulgaria, the European Union's lowest-income member, is moving forward with plans to enter the eurozone. The European Central Bank is widely expected to authorize Bulgaria's accession as the 21st country to use the euro beginning in 2026. Bulgaria has maintained a currency peg to the euro since 1999 and has participated in the EU's banking union since 2020. The country has also met all the necessary economic requirements for joining the monetary union.
In contrast, Poland, recognized for its consistent economic performance, is not pursuing eurozone membership. Poland has posted three decades of continuous economic growth. According to the International Monetary Fund, Poland's gross domestic product is projected to grow by 3.2 percent this year, compared to 0.8 percent for the eurozone. The Polish stock market is also experiencing strong performance.
Although EU membership obliges countries to make efforts toward adopting the euro, Poland has shown little interest in doing so. The return of a pro-EU government under Donald Tusk in 2023, following eight years of Euroskeptic leadership, has not altered the country’s official stance. The government has stated it is not ready to join the eurozone.
The recent presidential election saw right-wing nationalist Karol Nawrocki win a narrow victory. Nawrocki has publicly opposed the adoption of the euro, stating on X: “I am personally against the elimination of the Polish currency. A vote for me is also a vote for the Polish zloty and our sovereignty.” Adam Glapiński, the current governor of Poland’s central bank, has maintained a long-standing opposition to euro adoption. As president, Nawrocki will have the authority to appoint Glapiński’s successor when his term ends in June 2027, potentially continuing this policy for another six years.
Nawrocki also holds veto power over legislation, which could present challenges for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government. The government does not possess the three-fifths parliamentary majority required to override presidential vetoes. In response, Tusk has called a parliamentary vote of confidence, citing concerns that Nawrocki may use his position to block the government’s domestic agenda.
Public opinion in Poland reflects divided sentiment over euro adoption. Slightly more than half of Poles are in favor of introducing the euro, but 70 percent believe that the country is not yet prepared to join the eurozone.
