It's official: Bulgaria is changing its national currency from Lev to Euro, effective January 1, 2026.
We know this change brings a degree of uncertainty and many questions for online shops and businesses about what and when they need to adapt in their operations. We also know there will be additional inconveniences for businesses advertising in Google Ads using the Lev currency.
In this article, we share guidelines to help you prepare for all the important dates in the smooth transition process between the two currencies, according to the National Plan for the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, especially if you operate an online store or position your products and services on your website.
Why is it Important to Be Informed and Prepared?
First and foremost, even before considering fines for businesses, it's about transparency and earning customer trust. Clear communication, adherence to fair trade practices, and avoiding price speculation will primarily save you from customer confusion, abandoned carts, and consumer dissatisfaction. Otherwise, fines can range from BGN 400 to BGN 5,000 for any business that abuses or fails to meet the requirements.
Key Dates for the Transition:
- August 8, 2025: Dual pricing becomes mandatory. From this date, all prices in your online store or website must be displayed simultaneously in Bulgarian Leva (BGN) and Euros (EUR). This is an informative measure designed to help consumers get used to the new currency.
Important: Traders are not yet obliged to accept Euro, but dual pricing is mandatory, and businesses are subject to penalties if they do not comply.
- January 1, 2026: The Euro officially comes into effect. This is the date on which the Euro becomes the official currency in Bulgaria. Consumers will still be able to pay in Leva, but traders are obliged to give change in Euro. Fortunately, for online stores, the potential inconvenience of this requirement is minimized.
- December 31, 2026: End of dual pricing and the transition period. From this date onwards, you will only operate in Euro.
What to Do on Your Website and Online Store Today to Prepare:
The adoption of the Euro imposes several key changes on your website to ensure compliance and provide a maximally convenient experience for your customers, as well as to help them adapt to the changes as quickly as possible:
- Add prices in both currencies everywhere on the site: According to the regulation, prices must be in Leva and Euro everywhere – on category pages, on each product page, in the shopping cart, visible during checkout, and even in the order confirmation email.
- Always display prices equally: Prices in Leva and Euro must be side-by-side, with no difference in font or size, and clearly marked with the symbols "лв." and "€" or the ISO codes "BGN" and "EUR". It is not acceptable for one of the prices to be hidden, in a smaller font, or ambiguously indicated.
- Mention the official fixed exchange rate: 1 Euro = 1.95583 Leva. It must be displayed near the price, and here you have a little more freedom on how to format it as a hint for the user (a small icon, written in a smaller or different font, in parentheses, or with an asterisk below the price, etc.).
- Round correctly: Mathematics, 5th grade. Well, that will come in handy someday! Follow the mathematical rule to the second decimal place after (!) calculating the amount using the official fixed rate.
Example rounding: €99.78764 in the final price should be €99.79.
- Stand out as a loyal merchant: Most consumers understand that this period may encourage speculation and unjustified price increases or "rounding" before, during, or after the transition to the Euro. You can expect stronger oversight from control bodies (like the Commission for Consumer Protection - CCP), but this, and more importantly your image as a merchant, should be the more weighty incentive for you.
What's Changing for Online Advertising in Meta Ads, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads with the Adoption of the Euro?
In short, nothing changes for Meta Ads (for Facebook and Instagram advertising) and LinkedIn Ads accounts. Businesses from Bulgaria currently operate with advertising accounts using "Euro" or another convenient currency as their primary currency, and Lev is not an available option even now.
For businesses advertising in Google Ads (Google Search, YouTube, Google Maps, etc.), however, there's a bit more work if their account is set in Leva.
Currently, you cannot change the primary currency of your Google Ads account. This means you will need to create a new one, where you can still move your current campaigns.
And rest assured: the adoption of the Euro is an important moment for businesses and consumers, but there is plenty of time for preparation, and the changes are in the interest of all parties.
