Bulgaria Nears Completion of Leva Withdrawal as 81% Taken Out of Circulation
As of February 6, 2026, Bulgaria continues to make steady progress in withdrawing the national currency, the leva, from circulation.
In the third quarter of the year, the average gross salary in Bulgaria reached 2,549 BGN (approximately 1,303.91 EUR), reflecting a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy’s latest bulletin on income and living standards.
Sofia-city continues to lead in earnings, with the average gross salary there rising to 3,474 BGN (around 1,776.23 EUR), nearly a quarter higher than the national average. Other regions also saw notable growth, with Targovishte reporting a 19.6% increase, Silistra 18.7%, and Smolyan 17.2%. Household incomes for the quarter totaled 6,988 BGN (3,572.91 EUR), marking a 4.4% rise year-on-year.
Across Bulgaria, eight economic sectors reported average salaries above the national level, employing roughly one-third of the workforce. Leading the list is the “Creation and dissemination of information and creative products, telecommunications” sector, with an average of 5,512 BGN (2,818.24 EUR). This is followed by “Financial and insurance activities” at 3,716 BGN (1,899.96 EUR) and “Production and distribution of electricity, heat and gaseous fuels” at 3,539 BGN (1,809.46 EUR).
Other sectors exceeding the national average include “Professional activities and scientific research” at 3,460 BGN (1,769.07 EUR), “Public administration” at 3,088 BGN (1,578.87 EUR), and “Mining and quarrying” at 3,071 BGN (1,570.18 EUR). The education sector reported 2,780 BGN (1,421.39 EUR), while “Human health and social work” reached 2,584 BGN (1,321.18 EUR). These figures underline a broad-based growth in salaries across both the public and private sectors.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Wednesday, February 11, will bring varied weather conditions across the country.
In the Bulgarian city of Blagoevgrad, citizens marked an unusual milestone by celebrating the “sixth month” of a large pothole in the city with cake, balloons, and festive decorations
Construction has officially started on the expansion of Sofia’s third metro line in the area of the G. S. Rakovski Military Academy park.
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
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
Winter conditions are set to reassert themselves across Bulgaria on Tuesday, February 10, with colder air continuing to spread over the country, according to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology
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