What is the currency in Bulgaria?
The official national currency of Bulgaria is theBulgarian Lev. Bulgaria has been part of the EU for many years, but the country has retained its currency and has not changed it to the euro (although there is a strict peg of the Bulgarian lev to the euro, thanks to which the exchange rate of the Bulgarian currency has not changed for many years and is around 1.95 levs per 1 euro) .
The international name of the Bulgarian currency is BGN. The same name is also used on the stands of exchange offices and banks with exchange rates. At the moment (2018) in Bulgaria there are banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 levs, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 stotinki and 1 lev. 100 stotinki equals 1 leva.
In Bulgaria, only their own currency is accepted everywhere, although prices are often indicated in euros.
Which currency is better to take to Bulgaria?
It is best to travel to Bulgaria with euros or dollars. According to MashaPasha, it is best to take euros with you to Bulgaria, since the exchange rate of the local currency is tied to the euro currency, and the difference between buying and selling is very small. Taking dollars here is a little less profitable than euros, although for a small amount the difference will be completely unnoticeable.
Sometimes tourists buy Bulgarian leva at home before going abroad, but this is justified only for small amounts (so as not to change money at the airport of arrival at an unfavorable rate, in order, for example, to pay for a taxi). But the course of such an operation will not be very profitable.
Currency exchanger in Nessebar. In small tourist towns it is difficult to find a bank branch, so here you will have to change the currency at an exchanger.
Where to exchange currency in Bulgaria (Burgas, Varna, Sofia)?
It is best to change currency in Bulgaria at branches of large banks. They are in the center of all major cities (Burgas, Varna, Sofia). These are, first of all, international banks Raiffeisen, UniCredit, Societe Generale, OTP, ProCredit and local banks OBB (United Bank of Bulgaria), Postbank. These banks will not charge you a commission and you can be sure that the rate written on the stand in front of the bank entrance will correspond to reality.
When exchanging currencies in Bulgaria, you will definitely be asked for a passport (without it they will not change your currency). If possible, keep the receipt; you may need it when exchanging Bulgarian leva for euros or dollars (you may be asked for a receipt as proof of the origin of the funds).
Banks are open in Bulgaria from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; they are closed on weekends and holidays.
Is it worth changing currency at exchange offices in Bulgaria?
According to MashiPasha, currency can also be changed at exchange offices in Bulgaria (especially considering that banks here operate on strange schedules, they are closed on weekends and evenings and there are few of them in tourist areas, since they are more concentrated in large cities).
But be careful. Exchangers in Bulgaria often try to deceive tourists and display on the stand outside an exchange rate that is more favorable than at the bank. How do they do it? Often on an advertising stand the selling rate is written in large font, and the currency purchase rate is written in smaller font and already inside the exchanger. Therefore, when you go to an exchange office, always look at the exchange rate that is inside at the checkout, ask about the additional commission and how many levs you, for example, will receive in your hands for 100 euros. In general, it is not customary to take an additional commission from banks and exchange offices in Bulgaria. This is rare, but it does happen sometimes. Be careful!
Is it worth taking credit cards to Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, in large cities and resorts, there is a fairly widely developed network of ATMs of local banks that accept Visa and MasterCard cards. Just keep in mind that many banks here have a limit on cash withdrawals (no more than 400 leva per day). Also, it is better that you have a card in euros (or US dollars), then you will be able to avoid double conversion.
In large hotels and shops you can pay by card, but small hotels, shops and shops often only work with cash, so you should always have cash with you.
If you are interested in shops in Bulgaria, then you can read more about them in our article Shopping in Burgas: shopping centers and shops .
Rate of the Bulgarian currency to the euro and other currencies
The exchange rate of the Bulgarian lev against the euro in 2018 was about 1.95 levs per 1 euro. For many years it has remained virtually unchanged.
Are you planning to go on holiday to Bulgaria?
Then read our article where to store money on vacation, and same What money to take with you on a trip abroad. And on this page you can use our online currency calculator. And don’t forget to read our guides to Burgas and Sofia.
