As of midnight, Bulgaria officially parted ways with the lev as a means of payment, dariknews.bg reported.
At 23:59 on January 31, 2026, payments with the national currency were finally suspended, and from February 1, all purchases and services in the country are made only in euros.
The levs can no longer be used in the commercial network and public transport, but remain exchangeable for an unlimited period at the fixed rate of 1 euro for 1.95583 levs.
From January 1 to January 31, 2026, the lev and the euro were legal tender in our country. This was the so-called dual circulation period, during which payments could be made in both currencies. From February 1, 2026, payments in our country will be made only in euros. Levs will not be accepted in retail outlets and will have to be exchanged.
The exchange will continue for years, but the conditions change over time. For the first 6 months, all banks will be able to exchange levs into euros without a fee. In banks, amounts over 30,000 levs require a prior request three business days in advance. This also applies when the money is deposited into an account for currency conversion.
„Bulgarian Posts“ will also exchange for free in settlements without a bank branch.
At the Bulgarian National Bank, levs will be able to be exchanged indefinitely. Even years later, old banknotes and coins will be exchangeable.
The dual display period began on August 8, 2025 and will end on August 8, 2026. Throughout the period, the prices of goods and services are displayed simultaneously in levs and euros. During this period, the prices in levs and euros are placed in close proximity, are written clearly, legibly, and in the same font size, type, and color. The currency of the corresponding price must also be displayed in the same font size, type and color.
The final amount paid by the consumer must also be presented in both currencies in the issued fiscal / system receipt.
The historical transition from lev to euro is one of the biggest financial changes in recent decades, and good information remains the surest way for citizens to avoid confusion, panic and queues.