New year, new money! On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially ditched the lev and welcomed the euro, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone. 🎉💶
This month, you’ll still see the Bulgarian lev (BGN) in wallets and tills, but mark your calendars: from February 1, 2026, the euro is the only legal tender in Bulgaria.
If you need to swap your lev for euros, banks and post offices offer free exchanges until June 30, 2026. After that, a small fee applies.
Back on June 4, 2025, the European Commission confirmed Bulgaria met all the criteria to join the euro club. Now, Bulgaria joins the ranks of “Eurozone 21,” ready to groove to the eurobeat! 🕺🇧🇬
What does this mean? For travelers, simpler money exchange and familiar coins. For businesses and investors, more stability and closer ties to Europe’s markets. For locals, a mix of nostalgia and excitement as they flip the switch on their old bills.
Got plans to visit Bulgaria this year? Pack your euros and enjoy smoother spending across the country. And for our finance-savvy readers, keep an eye on how this change shapes Eastern Europe’s economic landscape in 2026.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
