The old currency, the "лев"
(after numbers: "лева"
) with its "стотинки"
, is history — but you'll still hear it: older people sometimes count in leva. The word "стотинки"
also appears on Bulgarian euro coins. After numbers, "евро"
stays the same: "едно евро"
, "пет евро"
. Cents after numbers: "един цент"
, "двадесет цента"
. The rate was fixed at 1.95583 leva to one euro.
Explore Bulgaria
The euro
Since 1 January 2026 Bulgaria has used the euro.
Design commissioned and issued by the Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка) on behalf of the Republic of Bulgaria. · Public domain · Source
History of Bulgaria
An illustrated history of Bulgaria
Explore Bulgaria
Opening hours
Look for the sign "Работно време"
(opening hours) on the door.
Андрей Романенко · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Pharmacies
A green cross and the word "аптека"
mean you're in the right place — there's a pharmacy on almost every corner.
Your personal doctor
In Bulgaria, healthcare starts with your "личен лекар"
(personal doctor, GP), whom you choose and register with yourself.