Bulgaria: The Lev Exits Circulation, Enters Collector Circles
As Bulgaria phases out the lev at the end of January, the numismatic market is already responding to the change, though not all coins are attracting attention.
A nationwide information campaign on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro is set to launch this month, Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova announced during a parliamentary session. She stated that the delays in the preparation and awarding of public procurement for communication activities had largely been resolved, paving the way for the campaign’s official rollout.
Petkova emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a successful transition to the euro by conducting a comprehensive media campaign. The initiative aims to inform both citizens and businesses about the advantages and benefits of joining the eurozone. She noted that the Council of Ministers had previously allocated 10 million leva for this purpose under the budget of the Ministry of Finance during the tenure of the caretaker government.
The foundation for this campaign was laid as early as 2021, when Kiril Ananiev served as Finance Minister. During his term, a working version of the communication strategy for Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone was developed, along with a draft of the national plan for the euro’s introduction.
Petkova reaffirmed that all necessary measures will be taken to provide accurate and clear information to the public and the business sector, ensuring they are well-informed about the transition process.
Twelve days into Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, the transition is showing signs of strain, particularly in the exchange of levs for euros
The Bulgarian National Bank reported that as of January 9, cash in circulation denominated in Bulgarian leva stood at 16.1 billion leva, equivalent to roughly 8.23 billion euros
On a sunny morning in Sofia in early June 2025, excitement spread quickly through the Bulgarian National Bank. The long-awaited convergence report, requested from the European Commission and the European Central Bank in February, had arrived. It assessed
By law, banks in Bulgaria are allowed to accept all coins and levs for conversion into euros, with the exchange remaining free of charge until June 30
The Ministry of Finance has clarified that the one-month period of dual circulation of levs and euros in Bulgaria will not be extended and will officially conclude on January 31, 2026
Bulgaria’s transition to the euro is proceeding smoothly, with all relevant institutions having planned carefully for the change, Deputy Finance Minister Metodiev told
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