site.btaNearly 60% of Bulgarian Leva Cash Withdrawn from Circulation - Central Bank

Nearly 60% of Bulgarian leva banknotes and coins have been withdrawn from cash circulation, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) said in a press release on Friday.

The total volume of leva cash in circulation stood at BGN 13 billion as of January 16, 2026, which represents about a 58% withdrawal of leva cash compared with the beginning of 2025, the Central Bank said. At present, euro banknotes and coins with a total value of more than EUR 4.3 billion have been put into circulation, ensuring the normal functioning of the payment system and meeting the needs of the economy and the population, the BNB added.

Compared with the end of the first working week of the new year, about BGN 3.1 billion has been withdrawn from circulation. As of January 9, the total volume of leva cash in circulation amounted to BGN 16.1 billion, corresponding to a 48% withdrawal of leva cash at that time.

The value of euro banknotes and coins in circulation has increased by about EUR 1.2 billion compared with January 9, when it stood at EUR 3.1 billion.

The Central Bank said that as of January 16, 2026, the exchange of leva banknotes and coins into euros is proceeding normally, in line with the applicable regulatory framework and the approved operational and logistical plans.