Bulgaria to join euro area on 1 January 2026

One of the biggest effects of this will probably be increased Western tourism to the resort cities on the Black Sea coast. Which is good, I guess, for the local economy - but I did really enjoy how Burgas felt different from the typical Western coastal resort city when I visited. I hope it doesn’t lose that uniqueness as it integrates into the wider EU economy.

I haven't been to Burgas but Montenegro still feels rather different IMO. Probably it has to do more with local culture and with GDP per capita rather than the currency itself (even though you're right that the latter may slowly evolve thanks to easier inflow of money).

Depends on where you’re at in Montenegro. Parts of it are definitely still different (the capital, Ulcinj and the south, rural areas) but some of the coastal cities are becoming very generic global luxury stores and mass tourism.

At least - that was my experience spending a couple months there 2-3 years ago.