Vending operators seek deferral for euro switch

Vending machine operators across Bulgaria are requesting a grace period following euro adoption to avoid service disruptions at hospitals, transit hubs, and smaller communities. The Bulgarian Vending Association warns that more than 30,000 machines cannot be reprogrammed until the currency officially launches, creating a technical bottleneck that will leave most equipment temporarily inoperable.

Todor Kanazirev from the industry group explained that each unit requires replacement coin mechanisms and cash register modifications through authorized technicians, with conversion costs starting at 100 leva per machine. Legal restrictions prevent operators from raising prices despite these expenses, forcing absorption of losses when 80-stotinka items become 40-cent products. The association emphasized that only a small fraction of machines currently accept card payments, limiting alternatives during the transition period.