site.bta67% of Lev Money Supply Withdrawn from Circulation

As of January 23, 2026, the total volume of lev banknotes and coins in circulation amounts to BGN 10.1 billion, representing 67% of the money supply at the beginning of 2025, the Bulgarian National Bank said on Friday. The bank added that the process of exchanging lev banknotes and coins for euros is carried out in accordance with the existing regulatory framework and the approved operational plans.

At the end of last week, lev money supply withdrawn from circulation stood at 58%.

The pace of lev withdrawal is in line with forecasts, with expectations that by mid-2026 around and above 90% of the value of Bulgarian banknotes that were in circulation at the beginning of 2025 will be exchanged into euros. As for Bulgarian coins, this percentage is expected to be around and above 60%.

The supply of euro banknotes and euro coins to credit institutions is carried out according to approved schedules and procedures. At present, euro banknotes and euro coins with a total value exceeding EUR 5.3 billion have been put into circulation, ensuring the normal functioning of the payment system and meeting the needs of the economy and the population. At the end of last week, the total amount of euros in circulation stood at 4.3 billion.

The Bulgarian National Bank exchanges lev banknotes and coins into euros free of charge, in unlimited quantities, and without any time limit, at the official exchange rate.

In order to ensure access to the exchange service, the cash desks of the Bulgarian National Bank and the territorial offices of Cash Services Company AD will continue to operate on Saturdays and will carry out the exchange of levs into euros on January 24 and 31, 2026. On Saturdays during the month, branches and offices designated by commercial banks will also be open.