site.btaOver 92% of Lev Banknotes Withdrawn from Circulation

A total of 92.5% of the lev cash in circulation by January 1, 2025 has been withdrawn by May 8, 2026, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) reported on Friday. Lev banknotes and coins that have not reached BNB vaults by May 8 are valued at BGN 2.3 billion. By the same date, euro banknotes and euro coins in circulation totaled EUR 8.4 billion-plus in value, ensuring the normal operation of the payment system and servicing the economy and the public, the central bank said.

As of May 8, the process of withdrawing lev cash from circulation and putting euro cash into circulation is taking place according to the current regulatory framework and the approved operational plans, the press release said.

On February 1, 2026, the euro became the only legal tender in the Republic of Bulgaria, the BNB recalled.