site.btaBulgaria’s Euro Changeover Continues with Expanded Services, Legal Rules and Inspections

Bulgaria’s transition to the euro, officially introduced on January 1, 2026, is progressing with expanded exchange services, tightened legal rules on change and intensified inspections, authorities said this week.

More than 100 on-duty bank branches are now open on Saturdays to exchange leva into euros, an initiative led by the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) and supported by commercial lenders, to help citizens access the new currency during the month-long period of dual circulation of leva and euro. There is no fee for these exchanges, and banks cannot refuse to convert leva into euros, though large transactions (over BGN 30,000) require prior notice. Customers have filed only a small number of complaints relative to the high volume of transactions handled so far.

At a Tuesday briefing of the Euro Coordination Centre, its head Vladimir Ivanov reiterated that all conditions for exchanging the lev into euros have been ensured, with euro cash expected to be well stocked nationwide after January 20. The dual circulation period, during which both currencies are legal tender, ends on January 31, after which the euro will be the sole legal currency.

Ivanov also stressed that returning change in leva when euro is available is prohibited by law, describing attempts by some traders to do so as unacceptable. He said such practices violate the regulations governing the introduction of the euro.

The Consumer Protection Commission said fines for refusing to give change in euros range from BGN 600 to BGN 7,000, and many proceedings have already been launched against traders failing to comply.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian National Bank confirmed that defaced or deliberately damaged euro banknotes will not be reimbursed if presented for exchange, urging the public and retailers to treat the new currency respectfully and to hand suspicious banknotes to authorities for verification.