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Public Bulgaria Author: Nikolina Basić
From January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will begin the free exchange of leva to euros, with the Bulgarian National Bank offering unlimited permanent exchanges and commercial banks and post offices providing free services until June 30, 2026. All leva bank accounts will be automatically converted to euros without fees, while exchanges after mid-2026 may incur charges and remain subject to anti-money laundering rules.
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Content accuracy validation date: 28.08.2025
Content accuracy validation time: 12:20h

Bulgaria is set to take a major step toward euro adoption as the free exchange of banknotes and coins from levs to euros officially begins on January 1, 2026. The exchange process will be facilitated by three key institutions:

- Bulgarian National Bank (BNB): Offers unlimited and permanent free exchange of levs to euros.

-Commercial Banks: Provide free exchange without quantity limits from January 1 to June 30, 2026. For amounts over BGN 30,000, a prior request of three working days is required.

-Bulgarian Posts EAD: Available only in areas without bank branches. For amounts between BGN 1,000 and BGN 10,000, a prior request of 3–5 working days is needed. Daily exchanges are capped at BGN 10,000 per person. This service is also free until June 30, 2026.

On January 1, 2026, all leva-denominated bank accounts will be automatically converted into euros. This process will be carried out without any fees or commissions for clients.

From July 1 to December 31, 2026, banks and post offices will continue to offer exchange services, though fees may apply. Starting January 1, 2027, these institutions may discontinue the service altogether.

The exchange process remains subject to Bulgaria’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws. For transactions exceeding BGN 10,000, individuals must declare the origin of the funds.

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