Bulgaria will adopt the euro on 1 January 2026, with a one-month dual-circulation period and automatic conversion of all prices, accounts, assets, and liabilities at the fixed rate of €1 = 1.95583 BGN. To protect consumers, dual price display will remain mandatory until 8 August 2026, cash levs can be exchanged free of charge through banks, post offices, or permanently at the Bulgarian National Bank, and pricing will be monitored to prevent abuse.
Bulgaria Adopts the Euro on 1 January 2026: What Citizens and Businesses Need to Know
Public
Bulgaria
Author: Nikolina Basić
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Fiscal subject related
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7468
Content accuracy validation date:
23.12.2025
Content accuracy validation time:
08:32h
Bulgaria is set to take its final step into the Eurozone on January 1, 2026, officially adopting the euro (€) and ending decades of using the lev (BGN).
Here is a simple breakdown of the most important changes for citizens and businesses:
- January 1, 2026 – The euro is adopted; the euro officially becomes Bulgaria’s currency.
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January 1–January 31, 2026-dual circulation- both the lev and the euro will be accepted for cash payments. ATMs will only dispense euros.
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February 1, 2026 – Lev No Longer Legal Tender – all payments must be made solely in euros.
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Until August 8, 2026 – Mandatory Dual Pricing – all retailers must display prices in both levs and euros to prevent confusion and price abuse.
All financial assets and debts will be automatically converted at the fixed official rate: €1 = 1.95583 levs. All personal accounts, deposits, and loans currently in levs will be converted to euros on January 1, 2026, with no fees, paperwork, or changes to account numbers (IBANs). Payments: All card payments and ATM withdrawals from January 1 will be processed in euros.
Citizens will have several options to convert their physical lev cash:
- Banks and Post Offices: Lev banknotes and coins can be exchanged for euros free of charge at commercial banks and post offices until June 30, 2026. (Post offices may have daily limits on the amount exchanged).
- Bulgarian National Bank (BNB): The BNB will continue to exchange levs for euros permanently and at no cost.
To ensure a fair transition and protect consumers:
- Mandatory Dual Pricing: retailers must display prices in both levs and euros in an identical, clear format until August 8, 2026.
- Price Monitoring: a national platform allows citizens to check the prices of 101 basic products daily.
Citizens are strongly encouraged to report any suspicious pricing or failure to display dual currency prices to the Consumer Protection Commission.
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