Currency in circulation in our country decreased by 2.09 billion leva in the third quarter of the year, which represents a decrease of 7.2 percent compared to the end of June, according to the regular publication of the Bulgarian National Bank "Review of the issuance and cash activities of the BNB", published on the institution's website. The central bank notes that the decrease in currency in circulation is a result of the gradual release by the population and businesses of their cash reserves in the context of the upcoming adoption of the euro as legal tender in Bulgaria from January 1, 2026, BTA reports.
By the end of September this year, currency in circulation in our country amounted to 27.224 billion leva. For a one-year period, a decrease of 10.3 percent or 3.132 billion leva is reported. Specifically, during the period July-September, money in circulation decreased in each of the months, with the largest decrease observed in September (-4.1 percent).
At the end of September 2025, the share of banknotes in the total value of money in circulation was 97.71 percent, and of coins - 2.28 percent.
By the end of the third quarter, there were 533.7 million banknotes in circulation, which is 6.3 percent less than at the end of June 2025. Over the same period, their total value decreased by 7.3 percent, reaching BGN 26.557 billion as of September 30.
Over a one-year period, the number of banknotes in circulation decreased by 71.2 million (11.8 percent), and their value - by BGN 3.137 billion. (10.6 percent). Over a period of one year, a decrease in the number of banknotes of all denominations was recorded, with the number of banknotes of higher denominations (50 and 100 leva) decreasing at a faster rate.
The average value of a banknote in circulation at the end of the third quarter of 2025 was 49.76 leva, which represents a decrease of 0.54 leva compared to the end of the second. Over a one-year period, its value has increased by 0.67 leva, or 1.4 percent, mainly due to the still significant amount of banknotes of higher denominations that continue to circulate in the monetary circulation, the BNB notes.
At the end of September 2025, there were 3.381 billion pieces of change coins in circulation, which is 2.5 million pieces, or 0.1 percent more than their number at the end of June. However, over the same period, their total value decreased by 12.5 million leva, or 2 percent, to 620.4 million leva. Over a one-year period, the total number of circulation coins increased by 66.7 million (2 percent), and their value - by 5 million leva (0.8 percent).
The average value of a circulation coin in circulation at the end of the third quarter of 2025 was 0.18 leva and decreased by 0.01 leva both compared to the end of the second quarter and also for a one-year period.