site.btaJanuary 31 Marks End of Lev as Legal Tender

At midnight on Saturday, January 31, 2026, the one-month period during which the euro and the lev circulated simultaneously came to an end, the Finance Ministry said in a press release. As of Sunday, February 1, the euro becomes the sole legal tender in Bulgaria. The lev will no longer be accepted for payments for goods, services, or obligations.

Citizens are required to pay in euros, traders are no longer obliged to accept levs, and change for all transactions must be given only in euros, the Ministry explained.

To ensure transparency and prevent speculative practices, prices will continue to be displayed in both currencies until August 8, 2026, in line with the requirements of the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.

Citizens who still hold levs can exchange them free of charge at commercial banks and at Bulgarian Posts branches in locations without bank offices until June 30, 2026. After that date, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) will continue to exchange levs for euros indefinitely and free of charge, the Finance Ministry said.

Reports of violations will continue to be accepted by the relevant supervisory authorities. More information on how to submit complaints and on all matters related to the introduction of the single European currency in Bulgaria is available on the euro information website.

On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially adopted the euro and became the 21st member of the euro area, exactly 19 years after joining the European Union.