Cash In Bulgaria: Everything You Need To Know

If you’re planning to travel to Bulgaria, there’s one thing you should prepare for – money!

In this guide, we’ll explore all the topics related to money in Bulgaria.

We’ll talk about the currency, withdrawals and ATMs, Bulgarian bank accounts, money transfers in Bulgaria, and some travel tips related to money.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at the Bulgarian currency.

Bulgarian Lev

The official currency in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN).

You’ll find banknotes and coins.

1 Lev is divided into 100 Stotinka.

Banknotes:

• 5 (red)
• 10 (yellow)
• 20 (blue)
• 50 (yellow)
• 100 (green)

Coins:

• 1 Stotinka
• 2 Stotinka
• 5 Stotinka
• 10 Stotinka
• 20 Stotinka
• 50 Stotinka
• 1 Lev
• 2 Lev

As the currency exchange can fluctuate quickly, we recommend you keep a look at the latest rates before your trip and during your trip.

I usually take a screenshot of the latest rates the day before the trip so that I can have a quick look to get familiar with the conversion when I buy something or withdraw money.

Best Way To Get Cash In Bulgaria

The best way to get Bulgarian Lev is to withdraw money in an ATM or exchange money before your trip/on arrival).

I personally use bank ATMs to withdraw cash in Bulgaria as I’m not a big fan of exchanging money abroad, but some people prefer this, so we’ll make sure to cover each topic in this guide.

Withdrawing Cash In Bulgaria

You can easily find ATMs in Bulgaria, especially in bigger cities and tourist hotspots. You’ll find them at banks, malls, supermarkets, airports, and on the streets.

However, the ones on the streets, like Euronet, usually charge enormous fees, so we recommend avoiding those.

Most ATMs accept debit/credit cards from all over the world. You should be able to withdraw BGN with no problem. I personally use Revolut in Bulgaria to withdraw money.

However, in Bulgaria, the limit for withdrawals isn’t that high. That said, you might need to do multiple withdrawals to get the amount you need.

How To Withdraw Money In Bulgaria

Follow the steps below to withdraw cash in Bulgaria:

• Find an ATM
• Insert your card
• Select your language
• Click on the option to make a withdrawal
• If you’re given an option for the exchange rate, select the option “Without Conversion”, as you’ll get a better exchange rate this way
• Accept the transaction fees (if any)
• Take your money and card

I personally use my Revolut card to withdraw money in Bulgaria. Revolut is a great option for travelers as you can freeze and unfreeze your card. There are other advantages for travelers too. Learn more by reading our Revolut review.

Exchanging Money In Bulgaria

Another way to get money in Bulgaria is by exchanging currencies. You can find exchange offices in airports, major cities, or banks.

While some people prefer the convenience of changing money before their trip, it’s better to exchange money in Bulgaria. The exchange rates you find in Bulgaria are usually better.

Now, you may be wondering which currency to take to Bulgaria. Think of the main currencies such as USD and EUR. However, you’ll only be able to use Bulgarian Lev (BGN) in Bulgaria.

Make sure to count your money yourself too, and check Google Map reviews if in doubt.

Payments In Bulgaria

Cash in Bulgaria is handy, and you should always have some in your pocket. That said, payments with debit/credit cards are becoming more popular.

Let’s take a look at the primary payment methods in Bulgaria.

Cash

In most cases, you’ll have to pay with cash.

So, make sure to always have some Bulgarian Levs with you.

If you’re out of cash, you should be able to find ATMs easily, so you can always go withdraw money if needed. We recommend you avoid withdrawing money from Euronet ATMs because they charge high fees.

Instead, use Bulgarian bank ATMs.

Debit/Credit Cards

Although there are still places where you can’t pay with cards, you’ll find that some restaurants and stores accept it. For example, modern restaurants, supermarkets, and malls accept payments by card.

When I pay with a card, I usually use my Revolut card.

In some shops, you can use the contactless method, but in some places, you’ll need to enter your PIN code.

Tipping In Bulgaria

It’s pretty normal to tip in Bulgaria. For example, in restaurants, you can give around 10% of the bill.

However, most people round it up when paying.

It’s important to note that most places can only accept tips in cash as if you add tips by card, the tip won’t go to the waiter but to the restaurant owner. You can always ask the waiter to be sure.

Bulgaria Travel Money Tips

The best way to get Bulgarian Levs is to use an ATM to get cash or exchange currencies in Bulgaria.

The best way to travel with money in Bulgaria is by using a travel card like Revolut. This way, you can pay by card when you can or withdraw money easily.

Having a Bulgaria SIM card to access the Internet in Bulgaria can be handy if you want to see the currency exchange rates or find an ATM nearby.

When withdrawing larger sums, we recommend the following:

• Put your money somewhere safe (wallet or money belt).
• Once you arrive at your accommodation, find a safe spot for your money. You don’t need to carry all your money at all times (unless you want to). If you stay in a hostel, make sure to keep your money hidden and locked in a locker. If you stay in a hotel, you can also hide and lock your money or simply put the “don’t disturb sign” on the door. As a result, you’ll get no cleaning and no strangers in your room.

How Much Money To Bring To Bulgaria

It all depends on your travel style and budget. I always get money on arrival, so I don’t really “bring money to Bulgaria”.

Although, if you wish to have money on arrival, you can exchange money before your trip.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind to figure out the right amount of money to bring to Bulgaria:

1. How long is your trip?
2. Is your accommodation paid for, or will you need to pay on arrival?
3. Are your tours and activities paid for, or will you need to pay on arrival?
4. How are you planning on getting around Bulgaria?
5. What’s your budget for Bulgaria?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you should be able to have a rough idea of how much money is needed in Bulgaria.

Alternatively, you can withdraw cash on arrival instead of bringing money with you. ATMs in Bulgaria are available in airports, and banks. So, you’ll be able to get cash easily.

Opening A Bank Account In Bulgaria

If you plan to stay in Bulgaria for a while, consider opening a bank account. However, you should know that the process is long and you’ll need to provide several documents.

You’ll need proof of address, a residency card, and more. As a Canadian, opening a bank account was long, and we needed to use a translator.

Instead, you could open a Revolut account in Bulgaria. Once I got my residency card in Bulgaria, I opened a Revolut account and shut my other Bulgarian bank account. Revolut is more convenient for my needs.

Bulgaria Money Transfers

The best way to transfer money to Bulgaria is with Wise. I’ve used Wise several times to send money to a Bulgarian bank account, and it works fine.

It could take a few days, so make sure to send money ahead of time if required.

Alternatively, you could also use Revolut to transfer money to Bulgaria.

That said, it’s worth comparing your options to find the best currency exchange rate and transfer fees.

Let’s see why you may need to transfer money to Bulgaria:

• Paying rent to the landlord
• Buying a property in Bulgaria
• Payment of utility bills

Final Thoughts On Money In Bulgaria

And that’s all you need to know about money in Bulgaria!

Having a travel card from Revolut is the best way to manage your money. It’s easy to top up, gives you an excellent exchange rate, and you can use it to pay for things in Bulgaria.

As you can see, having cash is still a must in Bulgaria. Just make sure to be smart about it and pay attention to where you put your money.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Living in Bulgaria
• Bulgaria beaches
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