The final step of Bulgaria's euro changeover: mandatory dual pricing has ended
Published:
Author: SEPA.tr — Editorial
Event date: 8 August 2026 · Confidence level: A (European Commission)
Bulgaria’s euro changeover has completed its last mandatory consumer-facing stage: the dual price display obligation (lev + euro) ended on 8 August 2026.
The changeover timeline
- 1 January 2026: Bulgaria became the 21st euro area country; fixed conversion rate €1 = 1.95583 BGN.
- 1–15 January 2026: Lev and euro circulated together (dual circulation period).
- Until 30 June 2026: Free lev exchange at banks (continues indefinitely at the central bank, BNB).
- 8 August 2026: Mandatory dual price display ended.
What changed for money transfers?
- Transfers to accounts in Bulgaria are now standard SEPA transactions in euro; local lev-denominated payment products have been retired.
- Sending from Türkiye to Bulgaria still goes via SWIFT, not SEPA (since Türkiye is not a SEPA member) — but the currency conversion need on the recipient side is gone: if you send euros, the recipient receives euros.
- Transfers from Bulgaria to euro accounts in Türkiye are subject to the rules for receiving euros from abroad.
Note
No confirmed date for the next euro changeover after Bulgaria (e.g. Romania) has been announced; timetable claims to the contrary will not appear on this site unless verified.
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Bulgaria country profile · SEPA countries · Euro account or TRY account?