Paying in Levs or Euros in January 2026: Change in Either Currency Allowed During Bulgaria’s Euro Transition

From January 2026, Bulgarians will be able to make payments in both levs and euros across all shops, restaurants and service establishments, without facing any sanctions for receiving change in levs. The transition period, lasting through January, is intended to help both consumers and businesses adapt smoothly to the country’s adoption of the euro.

Consumer rights expert Gabriela Rumenova, founder of the “We, the Consumers” online platform, explained in an interview for bTV radio that worries among restaurant owners about potential complications on New Year’s Eve are unnecessary....