The Bulgarian National Bank has issued a status update on the lev-to-euro cash exchange process following the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria, stating that operations are being carried out in line with the applicable legal framework and approved operational plans as of 9 January 2026. Lev banknotes and coins in circulation total BGN 16.1 billion, with 48% of lev cash circulation withdrawn, while more than EUR 3.1 billion in euro banknotes and coins has been put into circulation under bank supply plans. To support access, the Bulgarian National Bank’s cash desks and the territorial units of Cash Services Company AD will provide exchange services on 10, 17, 24 and 31 January 2026, and some commercial banks will also open selected branches on Saturdays during January. During the first six months of 2026, banks must carry out free exchange of lev banknotes and coins into euro in unlimited quantities at the official exchange rate, including free deposits and conversion into customers’ euro accounts, with prior notice of three working days required for amounts above BGN 30,000. For non-customers exchanging up to EUR 5,000, identification is based on a valid identity document, while exchanges above that threshold require identification and declarations including the source of funds in line with legal requirements, and large-quantity coin exchanges are directed to branches with specialised equipment and processing time. The Bulgarian National Bank reports that it is checking each received signal related to the exchange process within its remit, with only isolated breaches identified and any improperly charged fees corrected and refunded, and it notes that sales of euro coin starter kits ended on 30 December 2025 and that euro coins can be obtained via banks from 1 January 2026 under each bank’s procedures.

Original source View in tracker