Bulgaria Local Currency Overview and Buying Guide

Bulgaria's official currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), which is subdivided into 100 stotinki. The Lev is issued by the Bulgarian National Bank.

You can exchange your money for Lev at airports, banks, currency exchange offices, and some hotels. Many places also accept major credit and debit cards.

The Bulgarian Lev is not pegged to any other currency, so its value can fluctuate. This means that exchange rates may vary depending on the day.

To get the best exchange rate, it's a good idea to have some Lev with you when you arrive in Bulgaria, especially if you plan to visit rural areas where not everyone accepts credit cards.

The Bulgarian lev is a stable and reliable currency that is widely accepted in Bulgaria. It's divided into 100 stotinki, and its symbol is лв.

The lev was first introduced in 1881 and has undergone several changes in its design, value, and exchange rate over the years. In 1999, the lev was pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN per euro, which remains in effect today.

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) is responsible for issuing and regulating the circulation of the lev, and it holds significant foreign exchange reserves to back the currency.

The Bulgarian lev has a rich history, with its first introduction in 1881, pegged to the French franc and part of the Latin Monetary Union. The lev saw several periods of gold and silver backing, with changes during the World Wars, including pegs to the German Reichsmark and the Soviet ruble.

One of the earliest lev coins was the bronze 2, 5, and 20 stotinki, introduced between 1881 and 1884. These coins were made of various metals, including bronze and silver.

The lev underwent hyperinflation after World War II, leading to multiple redenominations. This resulted in the introduction of the second lev in 1952, which was designed to counter wartime inflation.

In the 1930s, the lev saw a change in its metal composition, with silver coins being introduced in 1930. These coins were made of silver and featured various denominations, including 20, 50, and 100 leva.

The third lev was introduced in 1962, following another redenomination. This lev featured coins and banknotes with communist symbols and was later pegged to the Deutsche Mark in 1997.

In 1999, Bulgaria introduced a new series of banknotes featuring prominent Bulgarian figures and landmarks on both sides.

These banknotes showcase the country's rich cultural and scientific heritage, highlighting notable individuals and their contributions.

The 5 lev note, for example, features artist Ivan Milev and his paintings, while the 10 lev note features Petar Beron alongside astronomical instruments.

The 1 lev note, however, was eventually replaced by a coin and phased out of circulation in 2016.

Over the years, several denominations have been updated with new printings, maintaining their validity in circulation.

The 100 lev note, added in 2003, features Aleko Konstantinov and his work, further emphasizing Bulgaria's cultural heritage.

The Rila Monastery and Ivan Rilski are also celebrated on the 1 lev note, which, as mentioned, was replaced by a coin.

The Bulgarian Lev is the local currency in Bulgaria, and here are some quick facts to get you started:

The Bulgarian Lev, also known as the BGN, was introduced in 1999.

The Lev is divided into smaller units, with the smallest being the stotinka.

You can find coins worth 1 lev, and banknotes come in denominations from 1 to 100 leva.

The abbreviation for the Bulgarian Lev is BL, and its currency code is BGN.

Here's a breakdown of the Bulgarian Lev's denominations:

The Bulgarian Lev is the official currency in Bulgaria, and it's available in both banknotes and coins. You can find coins in various denominations, including 1 lev, and subunits like 1 stotinka and 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 stotinki.

Coins have a rich history, with the first coins introduced between 1881 and 1884. These included bronze 2, 5, and 20 stotinki, and silver 50 stotinki, 1, 2, and 5 leva. Over the years, the materials used to make coins changed, with zinc replacing cupro-nickel in the 5, 10, and 20 stotinki in 1917.

Here are the main coin denominations:

Banknotes, on the other hand, have been issued in various denominations since 1885. The first notes were for 20 and 50 gold leva, followed by 100 gold leva and 5 and 10 gold leva notes in the following years. In 1899, 5, 10 and 50 silver leva notes were issued, and the denominations continued to evolve over time.

In Bulgaria, the lev is the official currency, and it comes in various denominations.

The subunit of the lev is called a stotinka, and it's equivalent to a cent. You can find coins in denominations of 1 stotinka and 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 stotinki, as well as 1 lev.

Banknotes, on the other hand, range from 1 to 100 leva.

Here's a breakdown of the banknote denominations:

Some banknotes feature notable figures from Bulgarian history, such as Stefan Stambolov on the 20 leva note and Paisiy Hilendarski on the 2 leva note.

In terms of coins, the Bulgarian National Bank has introduced various types over the years, including bronze, silver, cupro-nickel, and aluminum-bronze coins.

The 50 leva is a notable denomination, featuring the image of Pencho Slaveykov on its obverse side.

This particular design choice highlights the importance of Pencho Slaveykov in Bulgarian culture.

The reverse side of the 50 leva features Poems by Pencho Slaveykov, showcasing his literary contributions.

This unique combination of image and text makes the 50 leva a distinctive and memorable currency.

The Bulgarian lev is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 1.95583 leva = 1 euro, a rate that's unlikely to change before the lev's eventual retirement.

You can check the current exchange rates on websites like Google Finance, Yahoo! Finance, XE.com, and OANDA, which all show the same rates for currencies like AUD, CAD, CHF, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, USD, and TRY.

The exchange rate between the Bulgarian lev and other currencies can vary depending on the market, so it's essential to keep an eye on it if you plan on exchanging currency.

Online currency converters like XE can help you stay up-to-date on the latest rates.

You can use online foreign currency exchange services, which can be convenient and reasonably priced if you order a few weeks in advance. However, be aware that providers may charge an exchange rate margin and a commission fee, which can add up quickly.

A 5.29% markup on a currency exchange can result in a significant difference, as seen in the example where a $1,000 exchange resulted in a $58.65 markup.

To give you a better idea of the rates, here's a table of current exchange rates:

Keep in mind that these rates are subject to change and may not reflect the current market rates.

Exchanging currency can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Banks and currency exchange offices may charge a commission or a flat fee for exchanging currency, so it's essential to compare fees to find the best option for you.

Revolut provides an excellent multi-currency account that supports 25 currencies, including the Bulgarian Lev. It offers some of the best exchange rates on the market, especially for common currency corridors.

Wise is another great option that's transparent about not charging a hidden exchange rate margin when converting your holdings into the Bulgarian Lev. They charge an industry-low commission fee instead, ranging from 0.35% to 2.85%.

To avoid unexpected fees, always pay in the local currency. This will save you from getting hit with a foreign transaction fee from your credit card company.

Here are some popular options for exchanging currency in Bulgaria:

Keep in mind that the Bulgarian Lev is pegged to the Euro with a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 leva = 1 Euro. This is the official rate, but you may get a different rate in banks and exchange bureaus.

In Bulgaria, the local currency is the Bulgarian lev, often abbreviated as BGN.

You can exchange your money for BGN at banks, currency exchange offices, or even some hotels.

Major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Bulgaria, making it easy to pay for goods and services.

Some businesses may still accept euros, but it's generally best to use BGN to avoid confusion.

You can also use ATMs to withdraw BGN using your debit or credit card.

Banks in Bulgaria are usually open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, but hours may vary during holidays.

The Bulgarian Lev is the official currency in Bulgaria, introduced in 1999 after replacing the former currency. It's pegged to the Euro with a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 leva = 1 Euro since 2005.

You can find the Bulgarian Lev in various denominations, including banknotes ranging from 1 to 100 Leva, and coins worth 1 Lev and the subunit stotinka. The stotinka is the Bulgarian equivalent for cents and comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 stotinki.

Here are the different denominations of Bulgarian money:

Sofia is a great city to explore, and understanding the local currency is key to navigating it smoothly. The currency in Sofia is Bulgarian Lev, which is widely accepted.

You'll also notice that Euros are widely accepted in Sofia, although the exchange rate might not be in your favor.

Sunny Beach is a popular tourist destination in Bulgaria. The currency in Sunny Beach is Bulgarian Lev, but Euros are widely accepted as well.

You'll find that many places in Sunny Beach accept Euros, but the exchange rate is usually not very good. It's a good idea to have some Bulgarian Lev on hand, especially for smaller purchases.

If you do decide to use Euros, be prepared for a less-than-favorable exchange rate.

You can exchange your money for Bulgarian lev at a bank in the USA, but be aware that they may charge commission fees and have high exchange rate margins, making it an expensive option.

It's generally recommended to open a free multi-currency account from Revolut or Wise to get Bulgarian lev in the USA, especially if you want to lock in a desired exchange rate.

You can get Bulgarian lev while in Bulgaria by simply getting cash from an ATM there, which is often the best option.

There are 6 methods to get Bulgarian lev before going to Bulgaria, and we recommend using a travel money card that lets you hold BGN via a multi-currency account and spend them with a card.

If you want to convert USD to Bulgarian Lev online, you should consider using a multi-currency account like Wise that allows you to lock in a desired exchange rate.

The best rate to buy Bulgarian lev depends on market fluctuations, but using a multi-currency account like Wise can help you lock in a desired exchange rate and trigger a conversion if met by the mid-market rate.

Here are 6 methods to get Bulgarian lev before going to Bulgaria:

If you're planning a trip to Bulgaria, you'll need to get your hands on some Bulgarian lev. Luckily, there are several convenient options for buying currency in the USA.

You can buy Bulgarian lev with your USD through prepaid travel money cards, which can be compared to find the best option.

If you have a debit card, you can withdraw Bulgarian lev from an ATM abroad without incurring foreign transaction fees.

Online foreign currency exchange services are also available, offering a convenient way to buy Bulgarian lev from the comfort of your own home.

However, traditional banks are another option for buying Bulgarian lev, although the fees and rates may vary.

Money changer kiosks are also available at airports and other locations, providing a quick and easy way to exchange your money for Bulgarian lev.

For a summary of the best places to buy Bulgarian lev in the USA, check out the following options: