Bulgaria

Bulgarian leva banknotes from the communist period, from the 1947 and 1950 issues to the 1974 series.

Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so the lev has now joined the list of pre-euro currencies.

History and frequently asked questions below ↓

About Bulgaria banknotes

The lev was introduced in 1881. After the Second World War the People's Republic of Bulgaria issued several series with socialist themes, and inflation in the 1990s led to a redenomination at 1,000 to one in 1999. From 1997 the lev was pegged first to the German mark and then to the euro, which replaced it in 2026.

See also: European banknotes, Romania and Serbia.

Frequently asked questions

Does Bulgaria still use the lev?

No. Bulgaria joined the euro area on 1 January 2026, and the lev was withdrawn from circulation in the following weeks.

What does "leva" mean?

Leva is the plural of lev, an old word for "lion".

When was the lev introduced?

In 1881.

Are your Bulgaria banknotes genuine?

Yes. Every Bulgaria note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number where one exists and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.