Understanding Bulgarian Lev: Denominations, History, and Practical Use

💰 Click here to see Bulgaria Budget Breakdown

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

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = €0.88

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: €40.00 – €60.00 ($45.71 – $68.57)

Mid-range: €100.00 – €180.00 ($114.29 – $205.71)

Comfortable: €250.00 – €450.00 ($285.71 – $514.29)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: €5.00 – €40.00 ($5.71 – $45.71)

Mid-range hotel: €50.00 – €100.00 ($57.14 – $114.29)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: €10.00 ($11.43)

Mid-range meal: €30.00 ($34.29)

Upscale meal: €60.00 ($68.57)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: €0.80 ($0.91)

Monthly transport pass: €25.50 ($29.14)

Most visitors arriving in Bulgaria in 2026 still make the same mistake: they assume the country uses euros. After all, it has been an EU member since 2007. But Bulgaria keeps its own currency — the Bulgarian lev (BGN) — and euro adoption has been pushed back again, now looking at 2027 or 2028 at the earliest. Getting caught at a market in Plovdiv or a guesthouse in the Rhodopes with only euros in your wallet is a genuine problem, and it happens more than you would think. This guide covers everything you need to know about the lev: what the notes and coins look like, how to get the best exchange rate, where cards work (and where they do not), and what a realistic daily budget looks like in 2026.

Bulgarian Lev Denominations: Banknotes and Coins

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) issues all banknotes and coins. Before you arrive, spend five minutes getting familiar with what the money looks like. Fumbling with unfamiliar notes at a busy kassa (cashier) is an easy way to overpay or undercount.

Banknotes

There are five banknotes in regular circulation:

• 5 BGN (approx. 2.56 EUR / 2.80 USD): Predominantly red-orange. Features Ivan Milev, a celebrated Bulgarian Symbolist painter.
• 10 BGN (approx. 5.11 EUR / 5.60 USD): Predominantly green. Features Petar Beron, a 19th-century scientist and educator.
• 20 BGN (approx. 10.23 EUR / 11.20 USD): Predominantly blue-purple. Features Stefan Stambolov, a major political figure from the Bulgarian National Revival era.
• 50 BGN (approx. 25.56 EUR / 27.90 USD): Predominantly brown. Features Pencho Slaveykov, one of Bulgaria’s most important poets.
• 100 BGN (approx. 51.13 EUR / 55.80 USD): Predominantly green-blue. Features Aleko Konstantinov, author of the satirical novel Bay Ganyo.

A 2 BGN banknote existed previously and is technically still legal tender, but you will almost never encounter one. It has been functionally replaced by the 2 lev coin. Higher denominations such as 200 BGN are not in general circulation and are rarely seen in everyday transactions.

Every banknote carries standard security features: watermarks, embedded security threads, holograms on the larger denominations, and tactile marks designed to help visually impaired people distinguish between values. When receiving a 50 BGN or 100 BGN note as change, run your thumb across the printed text — genuine notes have a slightly raised texture. Full documentation of security features is published on the BNB website at www.bnb.bg/BanknotesAndCoins/BNB_Banknotes/index.htm.

Coins

The lev divides into 100 stotinki. Coins come in the following denominations:

• Stotinki: 1, 2, 5 stotinki (copper-coloured); 10, 20, 50 stotinki (brass-coloured)
• Leva: 1 lev and 2 leva (both bi-metallic, with a silver-coloured outer ring and a gold-coloured centre)

The 1 and 2 lev coins feel solid in the hand. The tiny copper 1 and 2 stotinki coins accumulate fast — keep them in a small pocket rather than letting them disappear into the bottom of your bag. They matter at markets and on local buses where exact change is appreciated.

A Short History of the Lev

The Bulgarian lev was first introduced in 1881, shortly after Bulgaria regained autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. The name comes from the Bulgarian word for lion — lev — the same animal on the country’s coat of arms.

The 20th century was turbulent for the currency. Bulgaria experienced severe hyperinflation at various points, which eroded the lev’s value dramatically. The most consequential intervention came on 5 July 1999, when the Bulgarian National Bank implemented a strict currency board arrangement and redenominated the currency: 1 new lev equalled 1,000 old leva. At the same time, the lev was pegged to the German Mark at a fixed rate of 1 DEM = 1 BGN.

When the euro replaced the Deutsche Mark in 2002, the peg transferred automatically to the euro at the mathematically derived rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN. That rate has not moved since. The currency board arrangement means the BNB is legally required to hold foreign currency reserves equal to the total lev money supply, which is why the peg has remained credible for over two decades.

For travellers, this history matters in one practical way: the exchange rate between euros and lev is completely fixed and will never fluctuate. There is no speculative risk, and there are no surprises at the exchange window caused by market swings.

Euro Adoption: Where Things Stand in 2026

Bulgaria joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) in July 2020, which is a formal prerequisite for adopting the euro. Early targets were optimistic — some projections pointed to 2025 or even early 2026. Those timelines did not hold.

As of early 2026, the Bulgarian lev is confirmed as the country’s sole legal tender for the entirety of the year. Euro adoption is now projected for 2027 or 2028, subject to Bulgaria meeting the remaining economic convergence criteria and the necessary political decisions being finalised. The European Commission and the Bulgarian government have both indicated the process is ongoing but not imminent.

What this means for visitors is straightforward: bring leva or plan to get leva. Euros are not accepted as legal tender in Bulgarian shops, restaurants, or transport. A small number of international hotels and currency exchange offices will take euros, but you will almost always get a worse deal than simply withdrawing lev from an ATM. Do not rely on euros getting you through the country.

Using Cash in Bulgaria

Digital payments have expanded rapidly in Bulgaria, but cash remains essential in specific situations. The smell of freshly grilled kebapche at a roadside stand, the clatter of a morning pazar (outdoor market) in a small town, the wooden tray of a family-run mehana (tavern) in a mountain village — these are exactly the settings where a card terminal simply will not appear.

Carry cash for:

• Rural guesthouses and mountain huts
• Local markets and street food vendors
• Smaller family restaurants outside city centres
• Public transport in towns without digital ticketing
• Independent taxi drivers (not booked through an app)
• Church entrance fees and small museum admissions

Keep a stash of 5 BGN and 10 BGN notes. Vendors and small shops often struggle to break 50 BGN or 100 BGN notes, especially early in the day. The 20 BGN note is the most useful all-purpose denomination — large enough to cover most small purchases, small enough that getting change is rarely a problem.

The legal cash payment limit in Bulgaria is 10,000 BGN (approx. 5,113 EUR) for individuals and businesses. Transactions above this threshold must go through bank transfer or card. This limit will not affect the vast majority of tourist spending, but it is worth knowing if you are considering a large purchase at an antique dealer or jeweller.

ATMs in Bulgaria: Fees, Banks, and the DCC Trap

ATMs (called bankomat in Bulgarian) are widely available across cities, larger towns, and most tourist destinations. In smaller villages, they can be scarce or absent — plan accordingly.

Which Banks Operate ATMs

The main ATM networks belong to: UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, Postbank (Eurobank), Raiffeisenbank, and First Investment Bank (FIBank). All of these have English-language options on their ATM screens.

ATM Fees

Most Bulgarian bank ATMs charge a fee for withdrawals made with foreign cards. Expect a local operator fee of 5 BGN to 10 BGN (approx. 2.56 EUR to 5.11 EUR) per transaction, displayed on screen before you confirm. Your own home bank may add a separate international withdrawal fee on top of that.

To minimise fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts repeatedly. A single 400 BGN withdrawal with a 7 BGN fee costs you 1.75% — the same fee on a 100 BGN withdrawal costs 7%.

Step-by-Step ATM Withdrawal

1. Insert your card and select English.
2. Enter your PIN.
3. Select Withdrawal or Cash Withdrawal.
4. Enter or choose the amount in BGN.
5. When asked whether to be charged in BGN or your home currency — always choose BGN.
6. Review and accept any displayed fees.
7. Collect your cash, card, and receipt.

The Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Warning

This is the single most common way travellers lose money at Bulgarian ATMs. The machine asks if you want to pay in your home currency (EUR, USD, GBP, etc.) instead of BGN. It frames this as a convenience. It is not. When you choose your home currency, the ATM operator applies their own exchange rate, which is typically 3–7% worse than the interbank rate. Always, without exception, choose to be charged in BGN.

ATM per-transaction withdrawal limits typically range from 400 BGN to 800 BGN (approx. 205–410 EUR) depending on the machine. If you need more, you can make multiple withdrawals, subject to your home bank’s daily limit.

Card and Contactless Payments

In Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and major ski resorts like Bansko and Borovets, card acceptance is the norm rather than the exception. Visa and Mastercard (including Maestro) work in hotels, supermarkets, larger restaurants, petrol stations, and most chain shops. American Express is significantly less accepted — do not rely on it as your primary card.

Contactless payments via card, phone (Google Pay, Apple Pay), or smartwatch are common and work smoothly at most terminals in urban areas. The PIN-free contactless limit in Bulgaria is 100 BGN (approx. 51.13 EUR). Above that amount, you will be prompted to enter your PIN.

Step-by-Step Contactless Payment

1. Look for the contactless symbol (four curved lines) on the card terminal.
2. The cashier enters the amount.
3. Hold your card, phone, or smartwatch close to the terminal — within about 4 cm.
4. Wait for the beep or green light confirming the payment.
5. If the amount exceeds 100 BGN, enter your PIN when prompted.
6. Take your receipt.

Foreign transaction fees from your home bank — typically 1–3% per transaction — apply each time you pay by card abroad. Over a two-week trip, this adds up. Fintech cards (see the next section) are the practical solution.

Currency Exchange in Bulgaria

Exchange offices (obmenni byura) are visible throughout Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and other tourist-heavy areas. They can be useful if you arrive with euros or US dollars and want cash immediately, but the rate quality varies enormously.

Reading the Exchange Board

Every exchange office displays two rates for each currency:

• Купува / Kupuva (Buy): The rate at which the office buys your foreign currency. This is the rate you get when converting EUR to BGN.
• Продава / Prodava (Sell): The rate at which the office sells foreign currency. Ignore this when you want BGN.

Some offices advertise “No Commission” in large letters but embed their profit in a worse exchange rate. Others charge an explicit commission on top of a better rate. Always ask: “How many leva will I receive for [X] euros?” Get the final number before handing over any cash. Count the leva you receive before you step away from the counter.

Where Not to Exchange

Exchange booths at Sofia Airport, central train stations, and bus terminal concourses consistently offer the worst rates. The spread between their rate and the real interbank rate can be 4–8%. If you need cash at the airport, use the ATM inside the terminal instead.

The Bulgarian National Bank publishes its official daily reference exchange rates at www.bnb.bg/Statistics/StExternalSector/StExchangeRates/StERForeignCurrencies/index.htm. Use this as your benchmark when evaluating any exchange office quote.

Fintech Cards: Revolut, Wise, and N26 in Bulgaria

For most international visitors, a fintech card is the single most practical tool for spending in Bulgaria. These services — Revolut (www.revolut.com), Wise (www.wise.com), and N26 (www.n26.com) — issue Visa or Mastercard debit cards that are accepted wherever standard cards work. Their advantage is the exchange rate: they use the interbank rate, which is consistently better than what banks and exchange offices offer.

Key points for Bulgaria:

• No foreign transaction fees within each service’s standard monthly limits.
• Revolut Standard plan offers up to approximately 400 BGN (approx. 205 EUR) per month in fee-free ATM withdrawals. Beyond that, a 2% fee applies. Check the current limits on the Revolut app before your trip, as these figures are updated periodically.
• Local ATM operator fees still apply — your fintech card does not eliminate the 5–10 BGN charge from the Bulgarian bank’s ATM. But you avoid the DCC conversion risk, the foreign transaction percentage, and your home bank’s international withdrawal fees.
• Instant spending notifications on the app make it easy to track your budget in real time across both BGN and your home currency.

If you are making a trip specifically to Bulgaria, consider converting a set amount to BGN within the Revolut or Wise app before you go, locking in the interbank rate. You can then spend directly in BGN from your card balance.

Tipping Customs in Bulgaria

Tipping in Bulgaria is standard practice, not optional generosity. The cultural expectation exists — particularly in restaurants — even if no one will chase you out for not tipping.

• Restaurants and cafes: 10% is the norm for good service. 15% is generous and will be noticed positively. Do not add the tip digitally when paying by card at the terminal unless the terminal explicitly offers that option. Hand the tip to the waiter directly in cash, or when paying cash, tell them to keep the change up to the rounded amount you intend.
• Taxis: Round up the fare to the nearest whole lev or add 1–2 BGN on a short city ride. For a longer transfer, rounding up to the nearest 5 BGN is appropriate.
• Hotels: Bellhops and housekeeping staff: 2–5 BGN (approx. 1–2.56 EUR) per service is appropriate.
• Tour guides: For a half-day guided tour, 5–10 BGN per person is customary. For a full-day tour, 10–20 BGN per person.

Cash is strongly preferred for tipping in all contexts. Even when your meal bill goes on a card, leave the tip on the table in coins or small notes.

2026 Budget Reality: What Things Cost in BGN

Prices in Bulgaria have risen since 2024 — inflation has been a real factor across food, accommodation, and energy — but the country remains significantly more affordable than Western Europe. Here is an honest breakdown of what to expect in 2026.

Accommodation (per night, one room)

• Budget: Hostel dorm or rural guesthouse — 25–50 BGN (approx. 13–26 EUR)
• Mid-range: 3-star hotel or well-reviewed apartment — 80–150 BGN (approx. 41–77 EUR)
• Comfortable: 4-star hotel in Sofia or Plovdiv — 180–300 BGN (approx. 92–153 EUR)

Food and Drink

• Budget: Banitsa and coffee for breakfast at a local bakery — 4–7 BGN (approx. 2–3.60 EUR)
• Budget lunch: Cafeteria-style mehana set menu — 12–18 BGN (approx. 6–9.20 EUR)
• Mid-range dinner: Two courses with a beer at a sit-down restaurant — 30–55 BGN per person (approx. 15–28 EUR)
• Comfortable dinner: Good-quality restaurant in Sofia’s centre — 70–120 BGN per person (approx. 36–61 EUR)

Transport

• Sofia metro single ticket: 1.60 BGN (approx. 0.82 EUR)
• Sofia to Plovdiv train (2nd class): 10–12 BGN (approx. 5.11–6.14 EUR)
• Intercity bus (e.g., Sofia to Varna): 28–40 BGN (approx. 14–20 EUR)
• Taxi within Sofia city centre: 5–12 BGN (approx. 2.56–6.14 EUR)

Daily Budget Estimates (per person)

• Budget traveller: 70–100 BGN per day (approx. 36–51 EUR)
• Mid-range traveller: 150–250 BGN per day (approx. 77–128 EUR)
• Comfortable traveller: 300–500 BGN per day (approx. 153–256 EUR)

What Has Changed Since 2024

The Bulgarian payment landscape in 2026 is noticeably different from two years ago in several ways.

Faster cashless adoption: The shift away from cash has continued at pace. Small cafes, independent pharmacies, and even some market stalls in Sofia and Plovdiv that were cash-only in 2024 now accept contactless cards. This is partly driven by younger Bulgarian business owners and partly by customer demand. You will need cash less often than you would have in 2023 or 2024, but the need has not disappeared — especially outside the two or three largest cities.

Euro adoption delayed again: The optimism of 2023 about a 2025 euro switchover has faded. As of early 2026, official communications from both Bulgarian government sources and the European Commission place realistic euro adoption at 2027 or 2028, conditional on fulfilling economic criteria and passing political milestones. The lev is not going anywhere in 2026.

BDZ rail ticketing improvements: Bulgaria’s national rail operator BDZ (www.bdz.bg) has continued to expand online booking via its website, with Visa and Mastercard accepted for purchases. At larger stations, card terminals are now present at most ticket windows. At smaller rural stations, cash (BGN only) remains the only accepted payment method, so carry notes if your itinerary takes you off the main lines.

ATM fee transparency: EU-level payment services regulations have pushed Bulgarian banks toward clearer disclosure of ATM fees before transaction confirmation. The fees themselves have not disappeared, but you are now less likely to be surprised by a charge appearing only on your bank statement after the fact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors are avoidable, but they come up again and again:

• Choosing your home currency at ATMs or card terminals (DCC): Already covered, but it bears repeating. Always select BGN. Every time, without exception.
• Exchanging currency at the airport: The rates at Sofia Airport exchange desks are among the worst in the country. Use an ATM inside the terminal if you need cash on arrival.
• Carrying only large notes: A 100 BGN note handed to a village kiosk or a market spice seller will often be met with a pained look or a refusal. Keep 5 and 10 BGN notes on hand.
• Assuming euros are accepted: They are not legal tender in Bulgaria. Some international hotels will process a euro payment as a courtesy, but at a rate they set — not the official 1.95583 rate.
• Not checking your home bank’s international fees: A card that works fine for domestic spending can quietly add 2–3% on every Bulgarian transaction. Know your card’s fee structure before you leave home, or switch to a fee-free fintech card for the trip.
• Forgetting cash for tips: Leaving a card tip — even where the terminal offers it — often means the tip goes into the business account rather than directly to your waiter. Cash tips reach the person who served you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use euros in Bulgaria in 2026?

No. Euros are not legal tender in Bulgaria. The country uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN) exclusively. While the lev is pegged to the euro at the fixed rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN, this does not mean shops will accept euro banknotes. A small number of international hotels may process euro payments, but you will almost always get a less favourable rate than simply using lev. Euro adoption is not expected before 2027 at the earliest.

What is the best way to get Bulgarian lev as a visitor?

Withdrawing lev from an ATM using a low-fee card — ideally a fintech card like Revolut, Wise, or N26 — gives you close to the interbank exchange rate. Avoid airport exchange desks, which consistently offer poor rates. If you prefer cash exchange, find a reputable city-centre exchange office and always ask for the final BGN amount before handing over your money.

Is Bulgaria a cash or card society?

Both, depending on where you are. Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and major tourist destinations handle card and contactless payments well. Rural areas, village markets, mountain huts, and smaller independent restaurants still rely heavily on cash. Carry at least 50–80 BGN in small notes whenever you are leaving a major city, and keep coins for buses and small purchases.

Will ATMs in Bulgaria charge me a fee?

Yes, in most cases. Bulgarian bank ATMs typically charge foreign cardholders a fee of 5–10 BGN per transaction, displayed on screen before you confirm. Your home bank may add its own fee on top. To reduce the cost, withdraw larger amounts less frequently. Using a fintech card like Revolut does not eliminate the local ATM fee, but it removes the foreign transaction percentage and your home bank’s withdrawal charge.

Should I tip in restaurants in Bulgaria, and should it be cash?

Yes, tipping is expected for good service. Ten percent is the standard in restaurants and cafes; 15% is generous. Always tip in cash directly to the server rather than adding it through a card terminal. For taxis, round up to the nearest whole lev. Tour guides typically receive 5–10 BGN per person for a half-day tour and 10–20 BGN for a full day.

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📷 Featured image by Helcim Payments on Unsplash.