Bulgaria’s Transition to Euro on January 1, 2026
Bulgaria is set to switch to the euro on January 1, 2026. This change will necessitate significant adjustments within banking systems, which may lead to some disruptions in card payments. Reportedly, both service and digital banking will start operating early in the year. There’s no need for customers to take extra precautions, as account balances will convert automatically from leva to euros, and IBANs will remain the same.
The most considerable disruption is expected between 9 PM on December 31 and 1 AM on January 1, when POS terminals, online payments, and ATM cash withdrawals will likely be unavailable across the banking sector. Customers are advised to have cash on hand for the holiday period. Additionally, interbank transfers and payments to the national budget will only be processed until noon on December 30. In January, Bulgaria will operate under a dual circulation system, allowing transactions in both leva and euros.
DSK Bank will halt card payments and ATM withdrawals from 9 PM on December 31 until 1 AM on January 1, 2026. Also, electronic channels like mobile and online banking will be unavailable starting at 4 PM on December 31, gradually resuming from January 1 to January 2. Payment options for utility bills and local taxes will be cut off after 5:30 PM on December 29 and will resume in phases starting January 2, post-currency conversion.
Meanwhile, United Bulgaria Bank has warned about possible brief interruptions in card payments and ATM services. Online banking and mobile services will also be unavailable during the same time frame, with a gradual restoration expected from January 1 at 5 AM.
UniCredit Bulbank will also temporarily suspend card services, ATMs, and POS terminals for the New Year period. Transfers to other banks will only be accepted until 2 PM on December 30, internal transfers until 7 PM, and budget payments by 2 PM. Cash deposits in leva at ATMs will be possible until 10 AM on December 30, after which only euro deposits will be accepted starting January 4, 2026.
Postbank plans to initiate adjustments to its card system by 10:30 PM on December 31, expecting services to resume shortly after 1 AM on January 1, processing payments only in euros. ATMs will have both currencies available on December 30, but from the start of 2026, they will only dispense euros. The digital banking platform should fully resume by noon on January 2. Payments for local taxes may not be available from December 29 through January 5.
First Investment Bank, too, will suspend card payments and ATM services from 10 PM on December 31 to 1 AM on January 1. Online and mobile banking via My Fibank will be out of service, with gradual restoration starting after the New Year.
Central Cooperative Bank will halt card payments and online purchases from 9 PM on December 31 to 1 AM on January 1. The digital platform will be out of service from 2:30 PM on December 30, resuming at noon on January 2. Utility payments will be accepted until 2 PM on December 30, and after January 1, ATM withdrawals will be euro-only.
ProCredit Bank will pause card payments and withdrawals for a brief period from 11:30 PM to midnight on December 31, while its mobile app and internet banking will be suspended from December 30 to January 2.
TBI Bank plans to stop card payments starting at 8 PM on December 31, resuming them after midnight. Certain features of the mobile app will phase out beginning December 29, with complete access expected by the evening of January 2.
Invest Bank will cease POS card payments from 10 PM on December 31 to 1 AM on January 1. Cash withdrawals in leva will be available until 10:45 AM on December 30, then will undergo a conversion period, allowing euro withdrawals only after 2 AM on January 1. Online and mobile banking will be suspended from December 30 to January 3.
International Asset Bank will temporarily halt card payments and its digital platform from December 30 to January 1, gradually restoring services afterward.
Bulgarian American Credit Bank expects a brief interruption in card payments from 11:30 PM to midnight on December 31. ATMs and POS terminals will remain offline from 9 PM to midnight, after which transactions will only be processed in euros. Full functionality of the online banking platform will return on January 2.
Municipal banks will close for ATM withdrawals and POS payments from 9 PM on New Year’s Eve, reopening at 1 AM. ATM deposits will resume on January 5, accepting euros only. Online and mobile banking will not be available from the afternoon of December 30, with services set to restore by the end of January.
Commercial Bank D will be revamping its system from December 31 to January 3. Card usage at ATMs and POS terminals will be suspended from 9 PM on December 31; after midnight, ATMs will only dispense euros and deposits will switch to euros too. The digital banking services will be offline from December 30 to January 3.
Texim Bank cautions that transactions at POS terminals may experience disruptions starting at 9 PM on December 31, with full service expected to resume after midnight.
Tokuda Bank encountered a technical issue on December 31, but card operations are anticipated to be restored in the early hours of January, processing only in euros. Starting January 1, ATMs previously loaded with both currencies will automatically update to dispense euros exclusively. Online banking services are expected to return by January 3.
The banking industry is advising customers to prepare, carry sufficient cash, and be mindful that access to digital and card services may be limited during this transition period to the euro.
