site.btaCentral Bank Reports 94% of Leva Banknotes, Coins Withdrawn from Circulation

According to data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), as of June 30, BGN 29.4 billion has been exchanged for euros, which represents 94.48% of the leva banknotes and coins in circulation at the beginning of 2025. At the same time, BGN 1.7 billion in banknotes and coins remained outside the BNB's vaults as reported by the BNB on Wednesday.

As of June 30, euro banknotes and euro coins in circulation in Bulgaria totalled EUR 8.8 billion, with this volume ensuring the normal functioning of cash circulation and effective servicing of the economy and the population, the BNB stated.

The process of exchanging the lev for the euro proceeded smoothly, organized and in accordance with the established regulatory framework, without any difficulties in serving citizens, businesses and the financial system, the BNB also said.

On June 30, the six-month period within which banks were obliged to exchange available leva into euros for citizens and businesses free of charge expired, From July 1, banks have the right to determine and charge fees when exchanging leva into euros. According to the current regulatory framework, they are obliged to notify the BNB of the amount of the applied fees, and the BNB has no authority to intervene in these decisions, the announcement noted.

The BNB also reminded that the exchange of leva into euros will continue indefinitely at the BNB cash desks, and that no fees are charged for these operations and they remain completely free of charge.