Operators of coffee and food vending machines are demanding a one-month deferral so that they can reprogram the machines after the official introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026. According to them, if such a deferral is not given, in the first days of the new year many people - especially in hospitals, bus stations and small towns - may be left without access to the service.
Due to legal requirements, the reprogramming of the machines cannot begin before the euro becomes the official means of payment. This puts the industry in difficulty - According to the Bulgarian Vending Association, there are over 30,000 vending machines operating in our country, with a small number of them accepting card payments.
The replacement of coin dispensers, cash register software and technical adjustments will make a large part of the machines unusable in the first days of January.
"There is no way we will be ready on January 1."
Todor Kanazirev from the Bulgarian Vending Association explains that the technical process is long and requires specialized intervention:
"We will not be able to cope on January 1. The coin mechanism for each machine must be replaced. Some of the cash registers must be taken down and converted and renewed at an authorized service.“
Operators warn that if they do not have time for adjustment, the machines in small towns, hospitals and public spaces will be temporarily suspended.
The conversion of each machine will cost a minimum of 100 leva. At the same time, by law, operators are not allowed to increase prices, despite changes in the cost price.
"Everything that costs 80 stotinki will become 40 euro cents. These two cents difference for us is a pure loss.“ – Kanazirev explains to BNT.