January 7, 2026
Bulgaria has just reached a historic milestone: as of 1 January 2026, the euro officially became the country’s currency, replacing the Bulgarian lev (BGN) after more than 145 years of national monetary history. This completes a long process that began with the country’s EU membership in 2007. A Journey Through Time: History of the Bulgarian Lev The Bulgarian lev has been at the heart of daily life in Bulgaria since 1880, just two years after the country regained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Its name literally means “lion” – a proud symbol of strength and freedom. Before the Lev: Money at the End of the Ottoman Period Before Bulgaria regained its autonomy in 1878, the land was part of the Ottoman Empire, and everyday payments were made using Ottoman coins, mainly the kuruş and para, alongside a colorful mix of foreign coins such as Austrian thalers, Russian rubles, and even Venetian ducats. Trade was practical rather than standardized, and different regions often used different currencies at the same time. After […]