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Buy Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

- Click & Collect Bulgarian Lev from as little as 72 hours, subject to availability

- Delivered to your door or pick up in-store

- Next day home delivery available*

 

*if purchased before 2pm Monday to Thursday

Buy Bulgarian Lev

Whether you’re exploring Sofia's beautiful architecture or soaking up the rays on Sunny Beach, having Bulgarian Lev (BGN) on hand will help you get the most from your trip.

At Asda Travel Money, exchanging GBP to BGN is simple and convenient. Visit us in-store to pick up your travel money, or order online for fast home delivery.

Not sure how much you’ll need? Try our Currency Calculator to check the latest exchange rate and see how far your pounds will go.

 

Benefits of buying Bulgarian Lev through Asda Money


your pounds to Bulgarian Lev through Asda Money, and enjoy a range of benefits:

  • Our price Promise - If you find a better Pound to Bulgarian Lev exchange rate within 5 miles, we’ll beat it.
  • Free home delivery – Get free delivery when you order over £500 of currency online.
  • Same-day travel money service - Need your Bulgarian Lev quickly? Come into one of our travel money bureaux to buy your Lev on the same day, subject to availability.
  • Buy Back Promise - If you come home with leftover Lev, we’ll buy it back (banknotes only) at the original transaction exchange rate, from a minimum of £35 up to a maximum value of £250. T&Cs apply.
  • Travel Money Card - Load your BGN onto a secure, prepaid Asda Travel Money Card and pay contactless throughout Bulgaria. It’s chip and PIN protected and easy to top up on the go.
  • Extra value for Asda Rewards members – Join Asda Rewards to unlock even better GBP to BGN exchange rates.
  • Buy from an award-winning provider- We’ve been awarded Gold for Best Travel Money Provider by Moneynet four years in a row (2022-2025), so you can exchange your currency with confidence.

 

How to buy Bulgarian Lev online or in-store


You can buy Bulgarian Lev through Asda Travel Money in three easy ways:

 

In-store bureau

Changing Pounds to Bulgarian Lev at one of our Asda Travel Money bureaux is simple and convenient. You’ll find locations in Asda stores across the UK, so you can pick up your Bulgarian Lev while you shop.

 

Click & Collect

Order your Bulgarian Lev online through Asda Money and choose Click & Collect to pick up your travel currency at a participating Asda store near you. It’s quick, easy and convenient.

 

Home delivery

Select home delivery and we’ll deliver your Lev direct to your door. Choose next-day home delivery from £4.99 (for orders placed before 2pm on Mondays to Thursdays) or FREE home delivery for orders of £500 or more. The minimum order available for home delivery is £350.

 

How much money do I need when visiting Bulgaria?


The amount of spending money you’ll need in Bulgaria depends on your travel plans, such as where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and the types of activities you have in mind. To give you an idea, here are some typical prices across Bulgaria:[1]

 

[1] https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Bulgaria

  • 4-5 lev: bottle of beer in a restaurant (approximately £1.75-£2.20)

  • 4 lev: cup of coffee (approximately £1.75)

  • 80 lev: 3-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant (approximately £35)

  • 1.3 lev: taxi ride (per kilometre) (approximately £0.50)

  • 160 lev: one night stay in a mid-range double hotel room[2] (approximately £70)

Prices correct as of August 2025. These prices are estimates and can vary depending on the location and time of year.

For a quick idea of how many Lev you’ll get for your Pounds, use our Currency Calculator to view today’s exchange rate.

 

What are the denominations of the Bulgarian Lev?

 

The Bulgarian Lev (BGN) is the official currency of Bulgaria. The word “Lev” comes from an old Bulgarian term meaning “lion”, one of the country’s national symbols. Bulgaria first began using the Lev during the 1880s following its independence from the Ottoman Empire.[3]

 

[3] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/forex/b/bgn-bulgarian-lev.asp

When visiting Bulgaria, you’ll use a combination of coins and banknotes. One Lev is divided into 100 Stotinki (similar to cents in other currencies). Both Lev and Stotinki are used in coin form, while larger amounts are issued as banknotes.

Coins

  • 1 stotinki
  • 2 stotinki
  • 5 stotinki
  • 10 stotinki
  • 20 stotinki
  • 50 stotinki
  • 1 lev
  • 2 lev

 

Notes

  • 5 lev
  • 10 lev
  • 20 lev
  • 50 lev

Three reasons to love Asda Travel Money:

  • 1. Exchange Rate Guarantee

    If you find a better exchange rate within 5 miles of one of our travel money bureau, we’ll beat it with our Price Promise.

  • 2. We Buy Back Your Travel Money

    Stop by our travel money bureau and we’ll buy back your unused travel money. Even if you didn’t buy your travel currency from us, we’ll exchange it back commission free.

    Our Buy Back Promise lets you sell back your BGN at the same rate for just £2.99

  • 3. Same Day Travel Money Service

    Left it till the last minute? Don’t worry, simply swing by one of our travel money bureaux and take advantage of our same day travel money on popular currencies, subject to availability.

Common Bulgarian Lev questions

What is the tipping culture in Bulgaria?

Tipping is a common practice in Bulgaria, particularly in bars, restaurants, and hotels. Service staff are typically paid minimum wage, and tips are generally appreciated. A 10% tip is standard in most restaurants and bars.[4] Hotel guests often leave around 5 BGN per day for housekeeping and similar amounts for porters.[5]

Does Bulgaria use the Euro?

No, the official currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). While Bulgaria plans to adopt the Euro on 1st January 2026, the Lev remains the only legal tender until that date.6 You may occasionally see prices listed in Euros for reference, but payments must be made in Bulgarian Lev.

Is it better to buy Bulgarian Lev in Bulgaria?

Many travellers choose to exchange pounds for Bulgarian Lev before they go. Buying your currency in advance can help you lock in a competitive rate and avoid potential foreign transaction fees or ATM charges abroad. Having BGN in your pocket when you arrive also makes it easier to pay for transport and small purchases without searching for an ATM.

Is it better to use cash or a card in Bulgaria?

Both cash and cards are widely accepted in Bulgaria. Having some Bulgarian Lev in cash is useful for taxis, markets, or smaller businesses. If you prefer to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, you might consider using a pre-paid Asda Travel Money Card. Once loaded with BGN, it allows contactless payments and fee-free cash withdrawals in Bulgaria.

Where can I buy Bulgarian Lev?

You can buy Bulgarian Lev easily through Asda Travel Money

What does 1 Bulgarian Lev buy you

Prices vary by region, but 1 BGN (around 45p) can typically buy you a loaf of bread, a kiosk coffee, or ice cream from a supermarket. 7

What countries use the Bulgarian Lev?

The Bulgarian Lev is the national currency of Bulgaria and is only accepted as legal tender in Bulgaria. It is not officially used in any other country.

What are the denominations of the Bulgarian Lev?

The Lev is divided into 100 Stotinki. You'll find the following in circulation:

· Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Stotinki, and 1 & 2 Lev

· Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Lev

Are other currencies accepted in Bulgaria?

Currencies other than the Bulgarian Lev are not officially accepted. From 1st January 2026, Bulgaria is expected to officially adopt the Euro as its official currency, replacing the Lev

How many Bulgarian Lev should I buy?

The amount of Bulgarian Lev you need depends on your plans, trip length, the type of accommodation you’ll be staying in, and your spending habits.

What can I do with leftover Bulgarian Lev?

You can exchange leftover BGN banknotes for Pounds through Asda Travel Money. Add our Buy Back Promisefor £2.99 when you purchase your travel money, and we’ll buy back your leftover Bulgarian Lev banknotes at the original transaction exchange rate, from a minimum of £35 up to a maximum value of £250. T&Cs apply.

Before you jet off to Europe, remember to pick up your holiday money at Asda

[1] numbeo.com

[2] skyscanner.net

[3] Investopedia.com

[4] https://www.onthegotours.com/Bulgaria/Guides/Travel-Tips-and-Useful-Info

[5] https://www.tripmasters.com/tipping_in_bulgaria/cms

[6] Consilium.europa.eu

[7] eatstaylovebulgaria.com

The Asda Rewards price for Asda Travel Money will be preferential compared to the standard rate advertised at your chosen place of purchase (being either online via https://money.asda.com/travel/travel-money/ (Website) or in-store at an Asda Travel Money bureau) on the date of purchase. Asda Rewards prices are only available on the sell rates of currencies in stock on the date of your purchase. When purchasing online, you must enter a valid Asda Rewards number found in the Asda Rewards App or Website to obtain the Asda Rewards price rate. When purchasing in-store, you must show the Asda Rewards barcode found in the app. Asda Rewards pricing available for Asda Travel Money purchases only offers you a more preferential exchange rate, you will not receive or be entitled to any Asda Rewards on your purchase. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time and without prior notice.

 

Please note that Asda Travel Money Online Services Terms and Conditions are available at https://travelmoney.asda.com/asda/page/termsandconditions.

Asda Travel Money is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited, registered number: 04621879. Registered Office: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB

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