Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva notified the BNB about problems with access to starter kits with euro coins, the press center of the public defender announced.
Delcheva asks the BNB to exercise supervision over commercial banks due to complaints sent to the Ombudsman by citizens.
According to the signals, certain banks sell packages with Bulgarian euro coins only to their own clients and insist that the price of 20 leva be paid cashlessly. According to the Ombudsman, all this makes it difficult for citizens to access the new euro coins.
In a letter to the Deputy Governor of the BNB Radoslav Milenkov, the Ombudsman emphasizes that such practices contradict Regulation No. 46 of the BNB of July 31, 2025 and the Instructions thereto, which require the free sale of starter kits to individuals after establishing their identity.
In addition, the by-law regulates the possibility of payment both cashless and in cash, as well as sales starting from December 1, 2025, without restriction only to clients of the respective bank, the Ombudsman points out in her letter to the Deputy Governor of the BNB.
Delcheva addresses the BNB with a proposal that the supervisory institution provide an opinion on the readiness of banks and “Bulgarian Posts“ to ensure equal access to the starter kits for citizens and, if necessary, to take action for the proper implementation of the procedure.