Bulgaria has adopted the euro (EUR). For UK visitors, that means one less currency to juggle if you are also visiting other euro countries — but you may still see old lev prices on menus or receipts during the transition, and mental arithmetic changes when everything is quoted in euros.
Cash, cards and tipping
Urban areas and resorts widely accept Visa and Mastercard. Carry some euro notes for small cafés, rural taxis and markets where card minimums apply. As with anywhere, if a terminal asks whether to pay in pounds, choose euros — paying in sterling abroad is usually poor value.
See our country guide for Bulgaria for a short overview, and the dedicated euro travel money guide for buying euros before you fly.
Getting a fair rate
Whether you are stocking up for a week on the Black Sea or a ski trip to Bansko:
- Compare total currency received after delivery or collection fees, not just the headline rate.
- Order before you travel; UK airport bureaux are rarely the cheapest option for large amounts.
Plan the rest of the trip
Flights and currency are only part of the budget. Lock in airport parking*, lounges* or travel insurance* when your dates are fixed so you are not paying panic prices closer to departure.