Bulgaria’s Ombudsman reports complaints against banks about euro coin starter packs
Bulgaria’s Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has sent a letter to Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) deputy governor Radoslav Milenkov regarding complaints from the public regarding the way commercial banks sell starter packs with euro coins, the Ombudsman’s website said on December 5.
Sales of euro coin starter packs began on December 1, a month before Bulgaria adopts the euro as its currency, and are meant to continue until December 31.
The statement by the Ombudsman’s office said that Delcheva had been notified that DSK Bank and UBB branches lack publicly available information about the terms of sale, starter packs are offered only to bank clients, transactions are carried out only cashless and purchases are not allowed through an authorised person – a difficulty especially for the elderly and people with limited mobility.
The complaints were also confirmed by a BTA reporter’s check from December 1 2025, according to which banks – DSK, UBB and Postbank sell starter kits only to their own clients. Cases of lack or limited availability in branches of CCB, UBB, Investbank and Fibank have also been identified.
In her letter, Delcheva said 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 packs 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 analysis leads to the conclusion that banks should not apply restrictions when selling starter kits with euro coins – only to their own clients and only cashless,” Delcheva said.
She proposed to BNB that the supervisory institution provide an opinion on the readiness of banks and Bulgarian Posts to ensure equal access to citizens to starter packs and, if necessary, take action to properly implement the procedure.
Delcheva cited the European Commission Recommendation of January 10 2008, according to which the public should have the opportunity to purchase at least one set of euro coins in the weeks before the currency changeover, in order to ensure a smooth and fair transition to the euro.
Recent reports in the Bulgarian-language media said that there was high demand for the starter packs, and some post offices and banks were running short.
Individuals may buy up to two starter packs, each costing 20 leva, and containing 42 coins of all eight euro coin denominations. Businesses may buy starter packs containing 420 coins, at a price of 200 leva.
(Photo via evroto.bg)
For reliable official information on Bulgaria’s transition to the euro, the Association of Banks in Bulgaria has a Q and A, in English.
The official evroto.bg website has an English-language version, while the European Commission made available on July 8 a Q and A on Bulgaria’s changeover to the euro.
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