site.btaFirst Successful Euro Withdrawal Made 20 Seconds After Midnight

The first successful euro withdrawal in Bulgaria was recorded at 00.20 am, according to payment service provider Borica AD. The transaction was made at an ATM in the seaside Sunny Beach resort.

At 00:03 am, the first successful euro transaction via Borica’s infrastructure was completed using SoftPOS in Sofia, and at 00:04:55, a successful donation in euros was made via a virtual POS terminal, the company reported.

On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially switched to its new national currency, the euro. The transition was smooth, with minimal disruption to key services, thanks to timely preparation, a strict schedule, and excellent coordination between institutions, banks, payment service providers, and technological operators of the infrastructure, Borica said.

The company, which ensures the functionality of the national card and payment infrastructure, confirmed that payment systems, card payments, and mass payment services were fully adapted to the changes required by the transition to the single European currency.

A BTA check showed that euro banknotes could already be withdrawn from ATMs of several banks in Sofia shortly after midnight.

As of midnight on January 1, euro banknotes and coins are officially in circulation in Bulgaria, following the country’s accession as the 21st member of the euro area. Until the end of January, the lev will remain a legal means of payment, and from February 1, the euro will be the sole currency, in accordance with the Act on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria.

After the completion of technical system adjustments, cash withdrawals from ATMs will only be possible in euros.

Throughout 2026, citizens will be able to exchange leva for euros at commercial bank in Bulgaria, with no fees or commissions until mid-year. Afterwards, commercial banks may apply conversion fees. Leva can also be exchanged in branches of Bulgarian Posts, while the Bulgarian National Bank will exchange leva for euros free of charge and without a time limit.