Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN, лв), divided into 100 stotinki. The lev is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of around 1.96 lev to 1 euro. Bulgaria is preparing to adopt the euro in the future, but for now the lev is the everyday currency, so plan to pay in lev.
- Currency
- Bulgarian lev (BGN, лв)
- Subunit
- 100 stotinki
- Peg
- ~1.96 lev = 1 euro
- The lev is fixed to the euro at about 1.96 to 1
- Euro adoption is planned, but the lev is used for now
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
You can change money at banks and exchange bureaus (обменно бюро). Be careful with street exchange offices: even those advertising zero commission can offer poor rates, and some use misleading signs. Banks and ATM withdrawals are usually the safer choice. Always check the rate and the amount you will receive before you hand over cash.
- Where
- Banks / exchange bureaus
- Caution
- Street bureaus, poor rates
- Safer
- Banks or ATMs
- Confirm the exact amount you receive before handing over cash
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas in Bulgaria, and contactless payment is common. Visa and Mastercard are the most useful networks. In smaller towns, markets and rural areas cash is still king, so carry some lev for small shops, buses and tips.
- Acceptance
- Cities and tourist areas
- Contactless
- Common
- Rural
- Cash preferred
- Carry some lev for small shops, markets and buses
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs in Bulgaria are called Bankomat (Банкомат) and are easy to find in cities, at airports and in tourist areas. Prefer machines attached to bank branches. Watch out for foreign-card fees, and always decline home-currency conversion (DCC) to get the better rate.
- Name
- Bankomat (Банкомат)
- Availability
- Cities and airports
- Tip
- Decline home-currency conversion
- Check your bank's foreign withdrawal and ATM fees in advance
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported in Bulgaria wherever contactless cards are accepted, which covers most shops, cafes and restaurants in cities and tourist areas. Add your card to your phone before you travel. For small vendors, markets and rural spots, keep some cash in lev as a backup.
- For visitors
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Where
- Wherever contactless works
- Backup
- Cash for small vendors
- Set up your phone wallet before arrival for smooth payments
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is customary but modest in Bulgaria. In restaurants, leaving around 10% of the bill for good service is normal. Rounding up is common for taxis and cafes. Check whether a service charge is already included before adding a tip.
- Restaurant
- Around 10%
- Taxis/cafes
- Round up
- Check
- Service charge included?
- Confirm whether service is already added to the bill
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Bulgaria is one of the most affordable countries in the EU, and Sofia is more expensive than smaller towns but still good value. Eating out, local transport and coffee are cheap by Western European standards. Save more with bakeries, local eateries (mehana) and free attractions like parks and old-town streets.
- Level
- Affordable; Sofia priciest
- Cheap
- Eating out, transport, coffee
- Save
- Bakeries, mehana
- Parks and old-town streets are free to enjoy
Non-EU residents can claim a VAT (ДДС, standard rate 20%) refund on eligible purchases above a minimum amount. Ask the shop for a tax-free form when you buy, then get customs validation at the airport when you finally leave the EU. Conditions and minimum spend apply, and the refund is paid via the tax-free operator.
- Who
- Non-EU residents
- How
- Tax-free form + customs stamp
- When
- On leaving the EU
- A minimum purchase amount and other conditions apply