Bulgaria’s central bank: 84.5% of leva cash out of circulation
As of February 16, a total of 84.5 per cent of leva banknotes and coins that were in circulation at the beginning of 2025 have been withdrawn, central Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) said.
Bulgaria adopted the euro as its currency on January 1 2026, and following the January temporary dual circulation period in which euro and leva both were legal tender in Bulgaria, as of February 1 only the euro is legal tender.
As of February 16, euro banknotes and coins worth a total of over 7.2 billion euro have been put into circulation, ensuring the normal functioning of the payment system and servicing the economy and the population, BNB said.
BNB will for an indefinite period exchange leva banknotes and coins for euro, free of charge, at the official fixed exchange rate.
Until June 30 2026, commercial banks will exchange leva banknotes and coins for euro at the official exchange rate, free of charge, with no limit on the quantity. However, for amounts of more than 30 000 leva, three days advance notice is required. After that date, commercial banks will be entitled to charge for the service, if they choose to do so.
