The euro arrives on January 1: practical advice from the Banking Association

On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will complete its transition from the lev to the euro. What do citizens need to know?

Valid debit and credit cards will not need to be replaced, and there is no need to open a new bank account - existing accounts will be automatically converted to euros. The IBAN will remain unchanged. On January 1, banks will automatically convert lev balances into euros free of charge and at the fixed exchange rate, according to the Association of Banks in Bulgaria.

Between 9:00 p.m. on December 31 and one hour after midnight on January 1, card systems will be switched from levs to euros. During this short interval, card payments at physical POS terminals or online, as well as ATM withdrawals, will not be possible. If you plan to make payments during these hours, it is advisable to withdraw cash in advance.

From January 1 onward, all card payments will be made in euros, and ATMs will dispense only euro banknotes.

Between December 31 and January 2, banks will adjust their internal systems. Each bank will individually inform its customers about the availability of its services during this period. Over the holiday days, cards will operate in standard mode, except for the brief interval on New Year’s Eve required for the system switch.

As of December 1, commercial bank branches have been offering starter kits with euro coins bearing the national side. These coins will be used starting January 1, 2026, and do not have collector value.

Throughout January, citizens will be able to pay with levs, while merchants will give change in euros. If merchants do not have euros available at the moment, they may also give change in levs.

From January 1 to June 30, banks will exchange lev banknotes and coins into euros at the fixed exchange rate without charging any fees.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova
English version: R. Petkova