Bulgarians lose money exchanging leva for euros before Jan. 1 due to inflated rates; official rate and no fees come Jan. 1.

Bulgarians exchanging leva for euros at private offices before January 1, 2026, are losing money due to inflated rates up to 1.99 leva per euro—higher than the official 1.95583 rate—resulting in losses of about 0.88 euros per 100 leva. Long lines stem from high demand, delayed euro cash deliveries, and fears of bank scrutiny for large deposits. Experts advise waiting, as banks and post offices will offer the fixed rate with no fees after January 1, and automatic conversion will apply to existing balances. The transition marks Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone as its 21st member, ending nearly 30 years of currency pegging.