End of Dual Currency Payments: What Changes for Bulgarians?

01.02.2026 | Finance

February 1, 2026: Bulgaria transitions to the Euro! End of dual currency. What does this mean for consumers and the economy? Payments only in Euro from today.

Снимка от European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Today, February 1, 2026, we mark an important moment for the Bulgarian economy – the end of the transition period during which we shopped with both currencies. As of today, the native lev is now history, and the euro becomes the only means of payment. What does this mean in practice for the average person?

The Last Day of the Lev

Yesterday, January 31st, was the last day we could pay with both leva and euros. Now, after nearly two months of dual currency, we are firmly stepping into the area of the single European currency. Many are probably wondering exactly what is changing, but the fact is that the change has occurred.

The Euro – The Only Currency

From today, payments will only be made in euros. The lev is leaving, leaving behind a history of decades, while the European currency becomes our reality. How will this affect prices? Will we see changes in salaries? These questions are on the agenda.