Decline in Currency in Circulation in Bulgaria in the Third Quarter

Money in circulation in our country shows a significant decrease during the third quarter of the year, according to data from the latest edition of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) "Review of the Issuing and Cash Operations of the BNB", published on the institution's official website. According to the report, the amount of cash in circulation decreased by 2.09 billion leva in the period from July to September, which represents a decrease of 7.2% compared to the end of June.

The Central Bank explains this trend with the gradual reduction of cash that the population and businesses hold, in the context of the upcoming introduction of the euro as legal tender in Bulgaria, starting from January 1, 2026.

At the end of September this year, the total volume of money in circulation in our country amounts to 27.224 billion leva. Compared to the previous year, a decrease of 10.3%, or 3.132 billion leva, is reported. A decrease in the money supply was reported during each of the three months of the quarter, with the most significant drop observed in September - 4.1%.

BNB data show that at the end of September 2025, the share of banknotes in the total value of money in circulation is 97.71%, while the share of coins is 2.28%.

At the end of the third quarter, 533.7 million banknotes are in circulation. This indicator is 6.3% less compared to the data from the end of June 2025. The total value of banknotes in circulation decreased by 7.3%, reaching 26.557 billion leva as of September 30.

For one year, the number of banknotes in circulation has decreased by 71.2 million, which represents a decrease of 11.8%, and their value - by 3.137 billion leva, or 10.6%. A decrease in banknotes of all denominations has been reported for this period, with a faster rate of decrease recorded for banknotes of higher denominations - 50 and 100 leva.

The average value banknote in circulation at the end of the third quarter of 2025 is 49.76 leva. This is a decrease of 0.54 leva compared to the end of the second quarter. For a one-year period, its value increased by 0.67 leva, or 1.4%, which the BNB explains with the continued circulation of a large number of banknotes of higher denominations.

At the end of September 2025, 3.381 billion coins were in circulation. This represents an increase of 2.5 million, or 0.1%, compared to their number at the end of June. The total value of the coins, however, decreased by 12.5 million leva, or 2%, reaching 620.4 million leva. For one year, the total number of coins in circulation has increased by 66.7 million, or 2%, while their value has increased by 5 million leva, or 0.8%.

The average value coin in circulation at the end of the third quarter of 2025 is 0.18 leva. This value has decreased by 0.01 leva compared to both the end of the second quarter and for a one-year period.