Bulgaria Enters Eurozone With Smooth Overnight Currency Transition

Jerusalem, 1 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – As the new year began Bulgaria’s currency transition, Borika AD, the national payment infrastructure operator reported that the first successful withdrawal of euros took place at an ATM at the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach 20 seconds after midnight.

At 00:03:00, the first successful transaction in euros through Borika’s infrastructure was made via SoftPOS in Sofia. At 00:04:55, a successful donation in euros was also made on a virtual POS terminal, the Borika added.

On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially switched to its new national currency – the euro. The transition went smoothly with minimal disruption to key services – a result of preparation, strict schedules and coordination banks, payment service providers, technology operators and other institutions.

A BTA check showed that euro banknotes could now be withdrawn from ATMs of a number of banks in Sofia after midnight.

Euro banknotes and coins officially went in circulation in Bulgaria at midnight as the country became the 21st member of the eurozone . Until the end of January, the lev is an equivalent means of payment in our country, and from February 1, the euro will be the only currency,.

After the technical reconfiguration is completed, money will only be able to be withdrawn from ATMs in euros.

Throughout 2026, citizens will be able to exchange levs for euros at the cash desks of commercial banks in the country, and until mid-year this will happen without fees and commissions. After this date, commercial banks may apply fees for currency conversion. Citizens can also exchange levs in 2026 at the branches of Bulgarian Post, while the Bulgarian National Bank will exchange levs for euros without fees and commissions indefinitely.