Euro adoption criteria

When a country joins the European Union, it doesn't automatically use the euro—it must first meet strict economic requirements known as the convergence criteria, covering inflation rates, budget deficits, debt levels, interest rates, and exchange rate stability. For expats considering a move to EU member states like Poland, Hungary, or Bulgaria that haven't yet adopted the euro, understanding these criteria matters because they shape a country's economic policy, inflation trajectory, and ultimately the purchasing power of your salary and savings during the transition period.