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The eurozone closed 2025 with a strong trade surplus, though slightly lower than the previous year. Preliminary figures from Eurostat show that in December 2025, the currency bloc recorded a goods trade surplus of €12.6 billion, down from €13.9 billion in the same month of 2024, yet up from November 2025. Exports to non-euro countries rose by 3.4 percent to €234 billion, while imports grew faster, by 4.2 percent, reaching €221.3 billion.
A closer look at sector performance explains the annual dip in the surplus. Chemicals and related products saw their balance fall from €20.2 billion to €16.5 billion, while machinery, vehicles, and other manufactured goods also recorded declines. In contrast, the energy sector improved significantly, with its deficit narrowing from €24.5 billion to €19.1 billion, providing some stability to the overall trade figures.
For the full year, the eurozone posted a total trade surplus of €164.6 billion, slightly below 2024. Annual exports expanded by 2.4 percent, exceeding €2.9 trillion, while imports rose by 2.7 percent. Trade within the euro area itself increased as well, surpassing €2.6 trillion. Across the broader European Union, the year ended with a positive balance of €133.5 billion, supported by intra-EU trade of more than €4.1 trillion, up 2.6 percent.
Seasonally adjusted data for December indicate modest monthly growth, with exports up 1.1 percent compared to November. However, exports to countries outside the eurozone slipped by 0.7 percent in the last quarter, highlighting the resilience of internal markets amid global economic pressures. Overall, intra-eurozone trade remains a key stabilizing factor, while external demand faces headwinds, particularly in major industrial sectors.
Nikolay Vassilev, former Minister of Economy, dismissed claims that prices in Bulgaria have doubled following eurozone-related developments, arguing instead that inflation remains low and that public fears about sharp price increases are exaggerated.
The Bulgarian real estate market is showing signs of cooling in early 2026, with experts reporting a slowdown in transactions and a shift toward more balanced conditions between buyers and sellers
Bulgaria stands out as one of Iran's key trading partners within the European Union, particularly among its Eastern European members
The first months following Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone suggest a stable start and rising investor confidence, even though it is too early to draw long-term conclusions
Inflation in the eurozone picked up slightly in February, reaching 1.9% on an annual basis compared to 1.7% in January, according to final Eurostat data.
Annual inflation across the eurozone eased to 1.7% in January, marking a 16-month low and down from 2.0% in December 2025, according to preliminary data from Eurostat.
The caretaker government has approved a decision endorsing the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States and the Mercosur bloc
US Vice President JD Vance launched a sharp attack on the European Union during a visit to Budapest, accusing Brussels of interfering in Hungary’s election just days before a closely contested vote that could reshape the country’s political landscape
Fuel prices in Germany have recently reached new highs, with diesel briefly exceeding 2.40 euros per litre during the Easter holiday period before easing slightly afterward
A recently revised German military service framework has triggered public debate after it emerged that it places new travel-related obligations on men aged between 17 and 45
Spain has officially launched its system of digital identity, which came into effect on April 2 and grants the electronic version of the national identity card the same legal validity as the physical document
Unemployment in the euro area edged up slightly in February, reaching 6.2% compared to the record low of 6.1% recorded in January, according to figures released by Eurostat
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