Money & Payments in Sofia (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Dual pricing (EUR and old BGN amounts) still displayed in many shops through end of June 2026 for customer reference.
Leftover BGN banknotes and coins can be exchanged free of charge at banks and post offices through June 30, 2026; after that, banks may charge a fee.
Card minimums are common — some vendors have minimum purchase amounts for card payments.
While cards are increasingly accepted, cash remains king in Sofia, especially for tips, small vendors, and taxis.
ATMs in airport and hotels typically have higher fees than city-center bank ATMs.
Be cautious with exchange bureaus on tourist streets; use banks or ATMs instead. Poor exchange rates and hidden commissions are common at exchange bureaus.
PIN codes are required for most card transactions (not just ATMs); international travelers should verify their card works with chip-and-PIN.
If an ATM offers to convert your withdrawal to your home currency, decline — you'll get a poor rate. Always choose EUR withdrawal.
Tipping culture is strong in Sofia due to low service-sector wages; staff genuinely depend on tips to earn a living wage.

ATM Fees

Summary: Many bank ATMs charge no fee to foreign cardholders; commercial ATMs often do charge fees
Banks With Fees: Some ATMs charge 3-5 EUR per withdrawal
Cost Optimization: Use ATMs at major banks rather than convenience stores or hotels; avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — always choose to be charged in EUR, not your home currency
Home Bank Charges: Your bank may charge separate international withdrawal fees or foreign transaction fees; verify with your bank before travel

Fee Free Banks

UniCredit Bulbank
DSK Bank
Postbank
Ziraat Bank
Central Cooperative Bank

ATM Details

Availability: Plentiful in city center; decreases toward suburbs. Available 24/7 in most locations, though remote ATMs may not be accessible after dark.
Location Quality: ATMs inside banks are safer and more reliable; avoid standalone ATMs in less-trafficked areas or tourist hotspots due to skimming risk
Daily Withdrawal Limit: Many Bulgarian ATMs limit withdrawals to 200 BGN equivalent (~102 EUR) per day

Networks Not Accepted

American Express (rarely)
Diner's Club (uncommon)

Card Networks Accepted

Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Cirrus
Plus

Currency Info

Fixed Conversion Rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN
Old Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN) was replaced on 1 February 2026 as sole legal tender
Official Currency: Euro (EUR) since January 1, 2026
Denominations Coins: 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, 1 EUR, 2 EUR
Denominations Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 EUR

Tipping Norms

Taxis

Standard: 10% or round up to nearest whole EUR; 1-2 EUR for short rides is reasonable
Note: Tips are common and appreciated but not obligatory

Hotels

Reception: 1-2 EUR for assistance
Housekeeping: 2 EUR per night (budget hotel) or 5 EUR per night (upscale hotel); leave with a note so staff know it's a tip
Porter Bellhop: 1-2 EUR per bag

Restaurants

Minimum: 5% if service was poor
Standard: 10-15% for good service is customary
When Obligatory: Not obligatory but highly expected, especially in Sofia and tourist areas. Staff rely on tips to supplement low base wages.
Note: Service charge is rarely pre-added to bills; you leave tip as separate payment

Bars And Cafes

Bartenders: 1-2 EUR or round up
Table Service: 10% or round up to nearest EUR
Coffee Counter: Tips not required but appreciated; leave small change in tip jar if present

Other Services

Hairdressers: 10% of total bill (but tips not strongly expected)
Spas Massage: 5-10% of treatment cost
Gas Station Attendants: 0.50 EUR if they wash windshield

Tour Guides And Drivers

Amount: 10% of tour cost or 10-15 EUR
Important: Do not tip with small coins — considered insulting. Tip in notes or whole EUR amounts.

Card Acceptance

Amex: Accepted primarily in tourist areas and upscale establishments; less common than Visa/Mastercard
Contactless: Growing but not yet as prevalent as in Western Europe
Where Accepted: Better hotels, restaurants, shopping chains, hypermarkets, larger retailers
Visa Mastercard: Most widely accepted in Sofia
Where Cards Not Accepted: Small shops, markets, street vendors, public transport, many cafes and bars may not accept cards; smaller venues often require cash

Banking

Notes: Language barrier is the primary challenge; documents are in Bulgarian. Hiring a translator or lawyer advisable. No appointment needed; most branches use ticket queuing system. Larger branches in central Sofia have English-speaking staff. Bulgaria transitioned to euro currency January 1, 2026.

Recommended Banks For Expats

UniCredit Bulbank
Features
Largest bank in Bulgaria, excellent English-speaking staff, wide branch and ATM network, popular with expats
FiBank
Features
Innovative bank, good English support, good for foreigners, modern online banking
Revolut (Digital)
Features
100% online account opening in 1–3 days, no KYC fees, supports EUR accounts
Wise (Digital)
Features
Online account opening, transparent fees, SEPA transfers available

Account Setup For Nonresidents

Timeline: Same-day or 1–3 days for digital banks
Opening Process: In-person visit preferred; some digital banks allow 100% online opening with video verification
Documents Required: Valid passport, proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement). Non-EU citizens also need residence permit and LNCH declaration.
Account Opening Fees KYC: €200
KYC (Know Your Customer) approval fees for foreign clients typically range EUR 100–500, non-refundable if application is rejected

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Sofia

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Sofia