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The process of converting Bulgarian levs to euros continues smoothly, with 48.3% of the national currency already withdrawn from circulation. To simplify the exchange process and prevent abuses, rules for converting levs in banks have been standardized. Citizens who are not clients of a given bank must present an ID when exchanging up to €5,000 (approximately 9,775 BGN). For larger sums, standard legislation applies, requiring a declaration of the origin of the funds, explained Valentin Ivanov, head of the Coordination Center for the Euro Mechanism.
Ivanov noted that payment with bank cards is functioning without problems across the country, and earlier minor difficulties have already been resolved. Citizens and businesses are urged to secure euro banknotes and coins in advance, rather than waiting until the last day of dual circulation on January 31. From February 1 onward, all payments will be conducted exclusively in euros. Ivanov reassured the public that the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has sufficient reserves to exchange levs without limits, and post offices will continue to provide free exchanges until June 31.
The euro transition is progressing faster than anticipated. Ivanov said that by January 20, euro banknotes and coins will be fully available in circulation. Authorities are also monitoring potential price increases and irregularities: inspections in school cafeterias in Sofia revealed elevated food prices in five institutions, which were promptly corrected following intervention. Oversight continues in sectors including paid parking, courier services, and medical laboratories.
Between January 5 and 11, the National Revenue Agency (NRA) conducted 1,401 inspections, identifying 116 violations of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Money Laundering and issuing 12 penalties. A few isolated cases of counterfeit euro banknotes were discovered, and immediate action was taken. Merchants are advised to use specialized devices to detect counterfeit euros. Continuous inspections of businesses and financial institutions are ongoing to ensure compliance with the euro adoption rules.
Outgoing Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov confirmed that the Bulgarian Army is in the process of transitioning to NATO-standard weapons, a step aimed at modernizing its arsenal.
Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2025 paints a bleak picture, showing that corruption remains entrenched worldwide and that attempts to reduce it have largely failed. The latest findings underline that global levels of corrupt
Ralitsa Asenova, the mother of 22-year-old Nikolay Zlatkov, whose body was discovered in a camper near Okolchitsa Peak alongside Ivaylo Kalushev and a 15-year-old boy, has publicly challenged the official versions announced so far in the investigation.
Tervel Zamfirov returned to Bulgaria a day after winning the country’s first Winter Olympic medal in two decades, a bronze in the parallel giant slalom snowboarding event
In 2025, Bulgarian children faced a sharp rise in online harassment and sexual exploitation, according to data released by the National Center for Safer Internet ahead of International Safer Internet Day
Villages surrounding Plovdiv are increasingly hosting Nepalese workers, brought in by local entrepreneurs to address Bulgaria’s persistent labor shortages.
The first month following the introduction of the euro and the period of dual circulation with the lev has now ended, providing a clearer picture of how the transition is unfolding.
The annual campaign for filing personal income tax returns under Article 50 of the Personal Income Tax Act is underway
The Bulgarian National Bank reported that as of February 6, 2026, the withdrawal of lev banknotes and coins and their replacement with euro cash is progressing in line with the applicable legislation and the operational plans approved for the transition.
From February 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially completes its transition to the euro, which now serves as the country’s sole legal currency.
Bulgaria is facing rising living costs, with service prices still climbing, according to economists. Authorities have already flagged the most frequent violations of the Law on the Euro since the start of the year, largely in the form of unjustified incre
Bulgaria is moving forward with the transition to the euro, preparing to produce its first euro banknotes under the quota assigned by the European Central Bank.
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