Fees are not charged when exchanging Bulgarian leva for euros in banks. This was stated by Georgi Chanev, Director General of the "Emission" Department of the BNB. He clarified that the exchange is free of charge, regardless of whether the banknotes and coins are sorted or not. Chanev urged citizens to sort the money, if possible, to facilitate the process.
During the period of dual circulation, both leva and euros are fully acceptable legal means of payment.
The process of introducing the euro is divided into three areas - withdrawal of leva, saturation with euros in circulation, and currency exchange. The BNB has given instructions to the banks to standardize the practice. There are no longer declarations for identification and origin of funds.
The BNB will continue to accept leva for years to come. Commercial banks will exchange leva free of charge until June 30, 2026. The exchange is most intensive in the last weeks of the previous year and the first month after the introduction of the euro.