Anyone holding leftover leva has until 30 June to exchange the cash into euros at Bulgarian banks and post offices without charge. From 1 July, fees are expected. Anyone who's been fumbling with crumpled leva notes at a Lukoil forecourt will know the ticking clock is real.

The consumer platform We, the Consumers reminded citizens this week that the free-of-charge window closes at the end of this month. After that, commercial banks and Bulgarian Posts branches are likely to introduce fees for the same service, though the obligation to offer currency exchange remains in place until 31 December 2026.

How the Service Works Until 30 June

The exchange operates at the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva per euro, the rate at which Bulgaria's currency board operated before the country adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. While this is the historically established rate and is widely reported as the current exchange rate, explicit recent official confirmation for the ongoing exchange period could not be independently verified. This is the expected rate, but readers exchanging substantial sums may wish to confirm it directly with their bank.

Bulgaria joined the Eurozone at the start of this year, and the lev ceased to be sole legal tender from 1 February 2026, though cash leva remain in circulation as the changeover continues.

According to We, the Consumers, banks require at least three business days' notice for exchanges exceeding 30,000 leva (roughly €15,300). At post offices, the reported daily limit is 1,000 leva (about €510), though some larger branches can apparently process up to 10,000 leva (around €5,100) if a request is submitted three to five days ahead. Post offices can reportedly refuse the exchange only if they lack sufficient cash on hand.

These operational details come from consumer information sources and have not been independently confirmed by individual banks or Bulgarian Posts. Anyone needing to exchange large amounts should contact their bank or post office branch directly to confirm the process and give advance notice where required. Policies may vary by institution and location.

The Bulgarian National Bank will continue to provide lev-to-euro exchange services without fees or time limits indefinitely, ensuring a permanent free option once commercial institutions adjust their pricing. Bear in mind that National Bank branch locations are fewer than commercial banks, and operating hours may be more limited.

What This Means for British Expats

British expats holding cash leva left over from pre-euro Bulgaria, or still receiving the odd banknote in change at petrol stations or corner shops during the transition, should exchange before the end of June to avoid potential fees. The money guide covers euro adoption and the practical implications for British nationals in Bulgaria.

The introduction of fees from July is widely expected but not yet confirmed in detail by individual banks. Check with your bank before assuming the service will remain free beyond 30 June. The National Bank's free service will remain available after June as a fallback, though accessibility is more limited than commercial banks.

If you're exchanging a substantial sum, call ahead. The last thing you need is to turn up at a post office in Mladost with €5,000 worth of crumpled twenties only to discover they want three days' notice and a form in triplicate. Bulgarian bureaucracy hasn't vanished just because the currency has.

Timeline

  • Until 30 June 2026: Free lev-to-euro exchange at banks and post offices
  • From 1 July 2026: Fees expected at commercial banks and Bulgarian Posts
  • Until 31 December 2026: Banks and posts must continue to offer exchange service (whether free or charged)
  • Indefinitely: Bulgarian National Bank offers free lev-to-euro exchange without time limit