In the first days of the year, not all commercial establishments in Varna are giving change in euros for purchases. Smaller neighborhood grocery stores more often provide change in leva. There are exceptions, as reported by a BTA reporter. In a bakery for bread and pastries, located in a large Varna market, customers are given change in the new currency. An elderly woman selling her own agricultural products shared that she hasn't seen euros yet. Her concerns were that she might be given counterfeit banknotes, as she wouldn't be able to recognize them.
In restaurants, bakeries, and eateries in Varna, purchases are primarily made with leva or by card. Merchants usually ask customers how they will pay. However, the change is usually in leva. Three merchants provided the same explanation - they don't have access to euros. They hope things will improve when the banks start working.
A saleswoman in a large grocery store shared that most customers don't want change in euros and insist it be in Bulgarian leva, because they are bothered by the smaller amount in the new currency.
In the villages in the region, the situation is identical. Very few shops have euros, and purchases are made in leva. Merchants pointed out that the introduction of the new currency will be more widespread when pensions are distributed and employees start withdrawing sums from ATMs. The postal worker in the village of Topoli said that today there will be no possibility to exchange money because she doesn't have euros. According to her, the process will actually start from tomorrow.
In the operating hotels and shops in the resort complexes near Varna, guests pay with leva, euros, or card, and in most places, they can receive change in euros.
The ticket machines in the public transport vehicles in Varna were not working during the holidays, but they have already been adapted. The 2-leva ticket now costs 1 euro.
The prices of candles in the temples are rounded in euros, and when paying in leva, the employees provide change in euro cents, the BTA check also showed.