Introduction of the euro
Information for individuals

Conversion means the change of the monetary unit from BGN to EUR by applying the official exchange rate and the rounding rules established in the Euro Introduction in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Conversion involves both the physical exchange of BGN banknotes and coins for EUR, and the recalculation of prices, deposits, loans, financial instruments, and other balance sheet items from BGN to EUR.

The official exchange rate of BGN to EUR is the irrevocably fixed rate of BGN to EUR. The Republic of Bulgaria will adopt the EUR as its official currency while maintaining the central exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN for 1 EUR.

From the date of the introduction of the EUR in the Republic of Bulgaria – 1 January 2026 – for a period of one month, both the BGN and the EUR will be legal tender on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (the dual circulation period). During this period, individual clients will be able to make payments in both currencies. After this period ends, the BGN will cease to be the legal tender.

For the first six months from the date of the EUR’s introduction, BACB, other banks, and “Bulgarian Posts” will not charge fees for the exchange of BGN for EUR. The Bulgarian National Bank will exchange BGN for EUR at the official rate free of charge, in unlimited quantities and without any time restriction.

Yes. At BACB, you can exchange Bulgarian leva at the fixed rate as early as today by opening a special “LeuroAccount”. With it, you can deposit your BGN in cash free of charge and simultaneously open two accounts – a current account in BGN and a savings account in EUR. The LeuroAccount comes with preferential terms, entirely in support of individual clients, which will be valid until 31 December 2025. See here how to open a LeuroAccount.

During the first six months following the introduction of the EUR, you can exchange BGN banknotes and coins for EUR free of charge at BACB and other banks. For the same period, “Bulgarian Posts” EAD will also exchange BGN for EUR free of charge, but only in populated areas where there are no bank branches or offices.

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) will exchange BGN for EUR at the official exchange rate, in unlimited amounts and without any time restriction.

During the first six months, there are no limits, subject to the necessary checks under the Measures Against Money Laundering Act. For amounts over BGN 30,000 per transaction, you must submit a request at least three working days in advance so that the necessary funds can be provided.
During the first six months from the date of the euro introduction, “Bulgarian Posts” EAD will exchange up to BGN 1,000 per day per person. For amounts between BGN 1,000 and BGN 10,000 per day, a prior request must be submitted 3 to 5 working days in advance, and only at designated post office branches across the country.

At the BNB, there are no limits on the amount of money that may be exchanged.

For one month from the date of the euro introduction, BGN banknotes and coins will remain legal tender alongside EUR banknotes and coins. After this one-month dual circulation period ends, it will no longer be possible to purchase goods or pay for services using BGN banknotes or coins.

The institution responsible for exchanging damaged BGN banknotes and coins is the BNB. You will be able to make the exchange at the official exchange rate, following the procedure set out in a regulation issued by the BNB.

If you suspect a banknote or coin is not genuine, go to a BNB cashier desk or the nearest bank branch to have it checked. If the note or coin is suspected to be counterfeit, the cashier must retain it and issue the holder a receipt for retention. The item will then be sent for expert examination to the National Analysis Centre (NAC) of the BNB. A document stating the results of the examination will be issued by the NAC.

• Consumer Protection Commission – in cases where violations involve dual price display or other misleading practices affecting consumers.
• Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) – in cases of violations by credit institutions.
• Financial Supervision Commission – in cases of violations by banks and investment intermediaries acting as depositories, managers of alternative investment funds, or operators of regulated securities markets.

As of 1 January 2026, all BGN accounts at BACB – including current, deposit, savings, and other accounts – will be automatically converted into EUR free of charge as a one-time operation. This means that from 1 January 2026, account holders will be able to withdraw only EUR from their former BGN accounts, whether through an ATM/POS device or at a bank branch.

• The opening and closing balances of bank accounts shown in statements issued on paper or another durable medium for all BGN accounts opened before the date of euro introduction.
• Information on the amount of the payment transaction and any applicable fees and charges.
• Information on the amount of the transaction and the remaining balance in the account when withdrawing cash from an ATM.
• Information on outstanding loan balances and the amount of due instalments under loans granted in BGN under the Consumer Credit Act and the Consumer Real Estate Credit Act, provided at a bank branch or via internet/mobile banking upon request.
• Information on payments made toward principal, interest, and other charges related to loans, provided upon request.
• Accrued interest on deposit accounts in BGN opened before the date of the euro introduction, provided upon request.
• The schedule of fees and commissions for provided services. This information will be made available at bank branches and on it website.

From the date of the EUR’s introduction in the Republic of Bulgaria, only EUR banknotes will be dispensed when withdrawing cash.

Yes.
If the cashier needs to give you change, it must be given exclusively in EUR banknotes and/or EUR coins.

BACB’s fees and commissions related to the provision of payment services will be shown in the Bank’s Tariff both in EUR and in BGN during the period from August 8, 2025 to August 8, 2026.
Information on applicable fees and commissions will be displayed at bank branches and on the bank’s website.

No, there is no need to do so. All BGN accounts at BACB will be converted from BGN to EUR automatically free of charge as a one-time operation at the official fixed exchange rate.

This will take place in accordance with the rounding rules set out in Articles 12 and 13 of the Euro Introduction Act, while maintaining the terms of the relevant contracts that were in effect prior to the conversion.

After the introduction of the EUR on 1 January 2026, your BGN account at BACB will be converted automatically free of charge into EUR as a one-time operation at the official exchange rate. This means you will have two EUR accounts. Within two months, you may request the closure of one of the payment accounts and the transfer of its positive balance to the other account, provided there are no encumbrances, attachments, or other legal restrictions on the account. The terms of the receiving account will remain unchanged. No fees or commissions will be charged by the bank for these operations.
If the account to be closed has a debit balance or an associated credit card, the outstanding obligation must be settled before the account is closed.

The balance (the amount you have available) in your account will be converted by dividing it by the official exchange rate. The resulting amount will be rounded to the second decimal place, based on the third decimal place, according to the following mathematical rounding rule:

1. If the third digit after the decimal point is less than five, the second digit remains unchanged;
2. If the third digit after the decimal point is five or greater, the second digit is increased by one.

No, the IBAN of BGN accounts will remain unchanged.

They will be converted automatically and free of charge on 1 January 2026 – the date of the euro introduction – at the officially announced exchange rate. Your IBAN will remain unchanged.
The agreed interest rate on your deposit will also remain unchanged.

On 1 January 2026 – the date of introduction of the euro – all current, deposit, savings, and other accounts at BACB will be converted automatically free of charge into EUR as a one-time operation.
From that day, account holders will be able to withdraw only EUR from their accounts, whether via ATM/POS devices or at a bank branch.

No. All systems at BACB are prepared and have been thoroughly tested to ensure your funds remain safe and protected, both from technical errors and malicious actions. There is no risk of losing your money.

The agreed interest rate on your deposit will remain unchanged after 1 January 2026.

If the interest rate agreed before 1 January 2026 is fixed, BACB will continue to apply it at the same level.
If the interest rate is variable, it will be adjusted in accordance with the Euro Introduction Act. BACB will apply a methodology that ensures the new interest rate as of the date of the euro introduction will not be higher.

As of 1 January 2026 – the date of the euro introduction in Bulgaria – BACB will automatically convert the outstanding principal of your loan from BGN to EUR, applying the official exchange rate and the rounding rules as set out in the Euro Introduction in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.

The loan instalment in BGN will be automatically converted into EUR using the official fixed exchange rate and the conversion rules. The value of the instalment will remain unchanged.

Yes. Upon request, you can receive an repayment schedule at a bank branch showing future payments with dual display in both BGN and EUR for your outstanding loan balance and monthly instalment.
The dual display period, as specified in the Euro Introduction Act, runs from August 8, 2025 to August 08, 2026.

From the date of the EUR’s introduction, all loans originally issued in BGN, or loans with a EUR currency clause, will be considered EUR-denominated loans. They will be converted using the official exchange rate and the applicable conversion and rounding rules as provided for in the Euro Introduction Act.
The introduction of the EUR may not be used as grounds to renegotiate clauses in already concluded contracts or to justify other actions by the bank that would place its clients in a less favourable financial position.

No. All BGN-denominated bank cards will retain their current conditions. There will be no changes to how the card is used, its number, or any other details, including the associated PIN code.
The conversion of the funds in card accounts from BGN to EUR will follow the same principle as for other accounts: it will happen automatically free of charge as a one-time operation at the official exchange rate.

There is no need to request a new limit in EUR.

The already approved card limit will remain the same and will be automatically converted into EUR.
Limits for all debit and credit cards in EUR have already been published in the Bank’s Tariff of Fees and Commissions for individuals and legal entities.

From that date, there will be no change for individuals in the way card transactions are carried out at POS terminals, ATMs, or online. The card payment system BORICA will transition to processing payment transactions in EUR, with settlements carried out through the TARGET services platform.

As of 1 January 2026, payment transactions related to the provision of payment services under Article 4 of the Payment Services and Payment Systems Act that were initiated in BGN and are completed on or after the date of the euro introduction will be executed in EUR.

No. This will only be possible until 31 December 2025. After that date, ATM withdrawals will be made exclusively in EUR.

The bank will ensure sufficient availability of EUR in its ATM network so that customers can withdraw EUR without difficulty.

BACB customers will be able to deposit BGN amounts at ATMs until 31 January 2026. Between 1 January and 31 January 2026, ATM deposits in EUR will not be accepted.
From 1 February 2026, all BACB ATMs will gradually begin accepting deposits in EUR only.

From the date of the euro introduction, all amounts due under attachments in BGN will be automatically converted into EUR at the official exchange rate and in accordance with the rounding rules set out in Articles 12 and 13 of the Euro Introduction Act.