The Bulgaria currency is the lev; the plural is leva. The lev is divided into 100 stotinki. Leva is invariably shortened to lv on price tags. Prices for smaller items are not written as 50 stotinki, but 0.5lv. When paying for something in a shop, you may not receive the right change. The price is often rounded up to the nearest lev.
Exchanging Bulgaria Currency
Be certain that the money from home is clean and unmarked. No store, bank, or change bureau will accept torn or excessively dirty foreign currency.
Cash is easily changed at numerous small exchange bureaus, usually for no commission; however, due to the common practice of posting misleading rates of exchange, it is better to go to banks or hotels to change your Bulgaria currency.
Trying to change travellers cheques at the banks can be a bit of a problem as some do not accept them and those that do usually charge a modest commission.
Credit cards aren’t widely accepted in Bulgaria, except in the larger hotels and restaurants that cater for foreign tourists.
Cash machines are widespread and take major credit and debit cards.
Restrictions on Bulgaria Currency
There are restrictions on taking currency into Bulgaria. The maximum allowed is up to 8000 leva (approximately £2,760.00) without submitting a customs declaration and up to 25,000 leva (approximately £8,630.00) by submitting a customs declaration form and a copy of your latest bank statement, which would be required to prove the origin of funds.
Final words of warning! Beware of people on the street who offer higher rates of exchange than the banks and change bureaus. These people are confidence tricksters who are very good at spotting non-Bulgarians and are intent on swindling the unwary traveller. As usual, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
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