On the eve of the euro zone: Bulgarian household deposits top 100B leva

Deposits of households and NPISHs added up to 100.881 billion leva at the end of November 2025, an increase of 15.8 per cent compared with November 2024, central Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) said in a regular report on December 23.

Household deposits in Bulgaria have been increasing significantly since July 2025, when the relevant European institutions approved Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency as of January 1 2026.

In August, household deposits increased by 12.7 per cent on an annual basis, to 95.4 billion leva, in September, they increased by 13.1 per cent on an annual basis, to 96.2 billion leva, and in October, the increase was 13.8 per cent, to 97.9 billion leva.

After Bulgaria joining the euro zone was approved, many banks in the country announced promotional offers to deposit leva without being charged fees.

As of January 1, Bulgarian bank accounts held in leva will be converted to euro, free of charge.

The December 23 report by BNB said that in November, deposits of financial corporations increased by 19.6 per on an annual basis, adding up to 4.592 billion leva. These had increased by 31.3 per cent in October.

In November, deposits of non-financial corporations increased by 8.9 per cent on an annual basis, to 48.619 billion leva, following 10.7 per cent annual growth in October 2025.

At the end of November 2025, deposits of the non-government sector added up to 154.092 billion leva, an annual increase of 13.6 per cent, following 13.2 per cent annual growth in October.

BNB said that at the end of November 2025, loans for house purchases added up to 32.140 billion, an increase of 27.7 per cent on an annual basis, following 27.8 per cent in October.

Consumer loans amounted to 21.356 billion leva. Compared with November 2024, they rose by 13.6 per cent.

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.

(Photo of the BNB headquarters in Sofia in December 2025: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)