BULGARIAN LEV: BULGARIA’S FIRST OWN CURRENCY
According to Countryaah, the Bulgarian Lev (BGN) is the official currency of Bulgaria and was introduced in 1881 after the country gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. The lev was thus Bulgaria’s first own currency, which was part of the Latin Monetary Union until 1918. Here you can easily buy Bulgarian lev online and find out the current exchange rate from euro to lev in our currency converter.
LEW MEANS LION
The Bulgarian leva owe their name to the country’s coat of arms, which was imprinted on the coins. Traditionally, a lion (Lew) is depicted on it. The sub-unit of the currency, the stotinka (in the plural stotinki), means “hundredths”.
LINK TO OTHER CURRENCIES
In the course of its history, the lev was tied to various international currencies, including the German Reichsmark during the Second World War, and the Soviet ruble and the US dollar during the subsequent occupation. This link lasted until 1997, but the corresponding exchange rate was re-evaluated several times during this time. Due to the high rate of inflation, there was a 1: 1 link to the exchange rate of the Deutsche Mark. As a result, the conversion of the lev to the euro corresponds exactly to the conversion of the German mark to the euro. This exchange rate is firmly anchored in Bulgarian law and still exists today.
THE FOURTH SERIES OF NOTES AND COINS IS CURRENTLY IN CIRCULATION
One lev is equal to 100 stotinki. The fourth series of notes and coins is currently in circulation. There are six coins in the value of 1 to 50 stotinki and one worth 1 lev. The latter replaced the 1 lev banknote, which is rarely used today. Other banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lev. Incidentally, the design of the notes still resembles the banknotes of the last Deutsche Mark series.
THE 1 LEV COIN IS SIMILAR TO THE EURO
In everyday use, the 1 lev coin can easily be confused with the 1 euro coin. Because of the similar size and appearance, you should be careful when using the money.
INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO UNLIKELY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
Bulgaria has been a member of the EU since 2007 and is therefore obliged to introduce the euro. The country’s accession to the euro zone seems very unlikely in the next few years, as the country does not meet the criteria for joining the European exchange rate agreement. It remains unclear when the euro will even be introduced in Bulgaria.
CHANGE TRAVEL MONEY IN GOOD TIME
Even though Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, you still have to exchange travel money. Bulgaria offers many sights both in Sofia and on the beautiful Black Sea coast. In restaurants and bars, as well as taxi drivers and tour guides, a 10 percent tip is customary. You can find further helpful tips for a stay in Bulgaria in our travel information about Bulgaria.
BUY BULGARIAN LEVA ONLINE
You can conveniently buy Bulgarian leva and other currencies (sorts) in the XE webshop. Simply select the type you want, use our currency converter to display the current exchange rate at XE and you can order your types online. The travel money is then conveniently delivered to your home within a few days. You can also easily collect your travel money from one of the many XE branches.
THE CURRENCY AT A GLANCE
1 lev = 100 stotinki. Currency abbreviation: Lw, BGN (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 LV; Coins in denominations of 1 Lw as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 stotinki. The lev is tied to the euro. The introduction of the euro has been postponed indefinitely.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE REGULATIONS
For travelers within the EU, there are no restrictions on the import or export of national and foreign currencies. Travelers entering or leaving the EU and carrying cash of 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent in other currencies or other easily convertible values such as checks made out to third parties) must declare this amount to the customs authorities.