Over 94% of Bulgaria's lev cash converted to euros in six months

As of 30 June 2026, the six-month period during which banks were required to exchange Bulgarian levs into euros free of charge for individuals and businesses has officially ended.

According to data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), a total of BGN 29.4 billion has been converted into euros, representing 94.48% of all lev banknotes and coins that were in circulation at the beginning of 2025. Approximately BGN 1.7 billion in banknotes and coins remains outside the central bank.

The BNB reported that the transition from the national currency to the euro proceeded smoothly and in an orderly manner, without disruptions to services for citizens, businesses or the financial system.

Euro banknotes and coins currently in circulation in Bulgaria have a total value of EUR 8.8 billion, ensuring the normal functioning of the country's cash circulation and the efficient servicing of the economy and the public.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov