Bulgarian Lev (BGN) Explained: A Tourist’s Primer to Bulgaria’s Currency

💰 Click here to see Bulgaria Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: October, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = €0.88

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: €35.00 – €50.00 ($39.77 – $56.82)

Mid-range: €60.00 – €100.00 ($68.18 – $113.64)

Comfortable: €150.00 – €200.00 ($170.45 – $227.27)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: €5.00 – €20.00 ($5.68 – $22.73)

Mid-range hotel: €55.00 – €95.00 ($62.50 – $107.95)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: €7.00 ($7.95)

Mid-range meal: €20.00 ($22.73)

Upscale meal: €60.00 ($68.18)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: €1.00 ($1.14)

Monthly transport pass: €26.00 ($29.55)

You land in Sofia in 2026, pull out your phone and search “what currency does Bulgaria use”. You get one answer on an old blog, another on a news site, and a third from a friend who visited last year. The confusion is real, because Bulgaria is in the middle of a currency changeover. The lev (BGN) is the country’s long-standing money, and its fixed link to the euro is now being replaced by the euro itself. This guide explains what the lev is, what you will actually pay with, and how to avoid the fees that catch most visitors.

The Lev and the Euro Switch: What You’re Holding in 2026

The Bulgarian Lev (BGN) has been Bulgaria’s official currency for generations. It is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate set by law: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN. That rate does not move, so you never need to track daily swings between the two.

Bulgaria introduced the euro on 1 January 2026. For a short transition period, both currencies circulate side by side, and shops give change in euro. Many prices are shown in both currencies. Leva remain exchangeable at banks after the changeover, so any lev notes you receive or bring home are not worthless. Check the Bulgarian National Bank (www.bnb.bg) for current deadlines before your trip.

Even so, leva still matter for travellers. Older guidebooks, menus, bus fares and price lists you meet are quoted in BGN, and you may still be handed lev notes and coins.

Banknotes and coins

• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 BGN are the common ones. Older 2 BGN notes are rare but still legal tender.
• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki, plus 1 Lev and 2 Leva coins. One lev equals 100 stotinki.

A quick mental shortcut: divide a lev price by two to get a rough euro price. 100 BGN is about 51 EUR.

When Cash Still Wins

Cards work in most cities, but a small amount of cash saves you from awkward moments.

• Small shops, markets and street vendors: Many take cash only, especially outside the big cities. Some family-run restaurants do too.
• Rural areas: In remote villages and less-visited regions, cash is often the only option.
• Taxis: Some accept cards, but many prefer or only take cash. Confirm with the driver before you start the ride.
• Local buses and trams: Paying the driver in cash is common. In Sofia a single ride typically costs 1.60–2.00 BGN (0.82–1.02 EUR).
• BDZ trains: You can pay cash at the ticket counters in all BDZ stations. Online purchases on www.bdz.bg need a credit or debit card.

Estimated 2026 BDZ fares for a 2nd class one-way ticket are about 11 BGN (5.63 EUR) from Sofia to Plovdiv and about 28 BGN (14.32 EUR) from Sofia to Varna. Treat these as estimates and check closer to your travel date.

Paying by Card and Phone

In cities and tourist areas, a card is the easiest way to pay. Most hotels, large supermarkets (Kaufland, Lidl, Billa, Fantastico), chain restaurants, petrol stations and many city shops accept cards. Acceptance has grown fast since 2024, and more small businesses now have card terminals.

• Cards accepted: Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. American Express and Discover are less common and may be refused.
• Contactless: Tap-to-pay is standard. Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards from Revolut and Wise work smoothly.
• PIN limit: Contactless payments without a PIN usually go up to about 100 BGN (around 51 EUR). Above that, or if the terminal asks, you enter your PIN. The limit can vary by bank and terminal.
• Merchant fees: Businesses in Bulgaria generally do not add a surcharge for card payments.

The cost usually comes from your own bank, which may charge a foreign transaction fee of 1–3%. A travel-friendly card from Revolut (www.revolut.com) or Wise (www.wise.com) usually has low or no foreign transaction fees and good exchange rates. Set one up before you fly.

Using ATMs Without Overpaying

ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns. Look for machines from UniCredit Bulbank (www.unicreditbulbank.bg), DSK Bank (www.dskbank.bg), Postbank (www.postbank.bg) and First Investment Bank (www.fibank.bg).

The fees to expect

• Local bank fee: More Bulgarian banks now charge a direct fee on foreign cards, regardless of the amount withdrawn. Typical fees run 3 BGN to 10 BGN (1.53 EUR to 5.11 EUR) per transaction. Some banks charge more, so check the screen before confirming.
• Your home bank: It may add its own foreign withdrawal fee.
• Limits: ATMs usually allow 400–800 BGN (204–409 EUR) per transaction. Your home bank may also set a daily limit.

The Dynamic Currency Conversion trap

When the ATM offers to charge you in your home currency (EUR or USD), always decline. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). If you accept, the ATM’s bank applies its own poor exchange rate and you pay noticeably more. Always choose to be charged in BGN.

Step-by-step ATM use

1. Insert your card.
2. Choose your language. English is almost always available.
3. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
4. Select “Cash Withdrawal” or “Withdrawal.”
5. Pick a preset amount or type your own.
6. When asked about converting to your home currency, choose “No Conversion” or “Withdraw in BGN.”
7. Confirm the details, including any fee shown.
8. Take your cash, then your card, then your receipt.

Exchanging Money: Banks, Bureaus and Receipts

With ATMs and cards, most travellers exchange very little cash. If you do need to, where you go matters.

• Banks: Usually the safest choice. They give official rates but may charge 0.5–2% commission or a flat minimum such as 5 BGN (2.56 EUR). Ask for the total you will receive after all fees.
• Exchange bureaus: Common in tourist areas and city centres. Rates vary a lot. Some are excellent with no commission, while others advertise an attractive rate and hide commissions or give a poor deal on the other side. Authorities have increased scrutiny since 2024, but tourist traps still exist.
• Hotels: Generally the worst rates. Use only in a small emergency.
• Airports: Similar to hotels, with poor rates and high commissions. Change only a small amount if you really need it on arrival.

How to use an exchange bureau safely

1. Find the rate board. You are selling euros, so look at the “WE BUY” (Купува) rate for EUR.
2. Look for any sign saying “commission” or “fee.” If unsure, ask: “Няма ли комисионна?” (No commission?).
3. Work out how many leva you should receive from the “buy” rate.
4. Hand over your money.
5. Count the leva and check the receipt (касова бележка) before you leave the counter. Problems are far harder to fix once you walk away.

For euros, ATMs usually give the best and clearest rate, as long as you decline DCC. For other currencies, compare a bank with a well-reviewed bureau, and avoid exchanging large sums at once.

Tipping in Bulgaria

Tipping is normal here for good service, though never compulsory.

• Restaurants and cafés: 10% is standard for good service. Rounding up the bill is also common.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest lev, or add 5–10% for good service.



• Hotel bellhops: 1–2 BGN (0.51–1.02 EUR) per bag.
• Housekeeping: 1–2 BGN per day, left on the pillow.
• Tour guides: 5–10 BGN (2.56–5.11 EUR) per person for a half-day tour, 10–20 BGN (5.11–10.22 EUR) for a full day.

Check your bill first. Larger groups sometimes have a service charge included, and if so, no extra tip is expected unless the service was outstanding. Leave tips in cash even when you pay by card, so the staff receive it directly.

2026 Budget Reality: What Handling Money Costs You

Prices for hotels and meals change with the season and the city, so here the focus is on what moving your money actually costs. These tiers use the fee ranges above.

• Budget: A Revolut or Wise card, one withdrawal of 400 BGN (about 204 EUR) with a 3 BGN (1.53 EUR) local bank fee, which is 0.75%. Public transport at 1.60–2.00 BGN (0.82–1.02 EUR) per ride in Sofia. Tips of 1–2 BGN here and there.
• Mid-range: A regular home bank card with a 1–3% foreign transaction fee, plus ATM fees in the middle of the range (around 6 BGN or 3.07 EUR). Restaurant tips of 10%, and 5–10 BGN (2.56–5.11 EUR) for a half-day tour guide.
• Comfortable: The same card habits, but with taxis, guided tours and hotel services. Full-day guide tips of 10–20 BGN (5.11–10.22 EUR) per person and bellhop tips of 1–2 BGN per bag. A bank exchange with a 5 BGN (2.56 EUR) minimum fee adds little at this level.

The worst-case example: a 10 BGN (5.11 EUR) ATM fee on a 100 BGN withdrawal costs 10%. Withdrawing in larger amounts and declining DCC does more to protect your budget than any exchange rate hunt.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Accepting DCC: It feels convenient to see the price in your own currency, but it costs you more.
• Making many small withdrawals: Flat fees of 3–10 BGN add up quickly.
• Exchanging at the airport or hotel: The rates are among the worst you will find.
• Trusting the big number on the board: Check the “WE BUY” rate and look for hidden commission signs.
• Leaving the counter without counting: Count the money and check the receipt on the spot.
• Arriving without any cash: Villages, markets and many taxis may not take cards.
• Assuming American Express will work: Carry Visa or Mastercard as your main card.
• Forgetting to confirm taxi payment: Ask about card acceptance before you set off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exchange rate between the Bulgarian lev and the euro?

The rate is fixed by law at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN. It does not change from day to day.

Can I pay with euros in Bulgaria?

Since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, euros are accepted, and during the transition period both currencies circulate. Many prices are shown in both. Outside that period and in small shops, carrying a little local cash is still useful, so check the BNB website for current rules.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Bulgaria?

Yes, in cities and tourist areas. Hotels, big supermarkets, chain restaurants and petrol stations take Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is standard. Small shops, markets, rural areas and many taxis may only take cash, so carry some leva or euros as backup.

Do Bulgarian ATMs charge fees for foreign cards?

Often yes. Many Bulgarian banks charge a flat fee of about 3 to 10 BGN (1.53 to 5.11 EUR) per withdrawal, whatever the amount. Your home bank may add its own charge. Withdraw larger amounts less often and always choose to be charged in BGN.

How much should I tip in Bulgaria?

Around 10% in restaurants and cafés is standard for good service, and rounding up is also fine. For taxis, round up or add 5–10%. Hotel staff expect 1–2 BGN (0.51–1.02 EUR). Check the bill for a service charge first, and tip in cash.

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📷 Featured image by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash.