Bulgarian Lev

About The Bulgarian Lev: The Currency of the Bulgaria

Quick Facts About the Bulgarian Lev Notes

Country of Origin	Bulgaria
Symbol	The Bulgarian Lev symbol is лв
Currency Code	BGN
Nick Names
Minor units	Stotinka, Stotinki (Plural)
Denominations (Banknotes)	1лв, 2лв, 5лв, 10лв, 20лв, 50лв, 100лв
Motto
Identification Feature	To identify a genuine Bulgarian Lev currency banknote, you need to:    1. Run your finger or fingernail along the surface to feel the intaglio print  2. Look for the watermark, security thread, and the value inscribed.  3. Tilt the banknote to see the holographic strip and gradient colour elements
Issuing Bank	Bulgarian National Bank
In Circulation Since	July 5, 1999

The Bulgarian Lev, which is abbreviated as BGN, is the legal tender of Bulgaria. It is denoted by the Bulgarian Lev symbol "лв" and can be broken down into 100 stotinki. The Bulgarian Lev was first used in 1880, shortly after Bulgaria declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. The new country required a currency that reflected its newly obtained status and was named after the then-popular term for "lion," which was also the principal emblem of the Bulgarian independence struggle.

To identify Bulgarian Lev, you can look for coins and banknotes that have the symbol "лв" or "BGN" and the value of the currency written in Bulgarian. Bulgarian Lev comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 stotinki and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Lev. The banknotes feature images of Bulgarian cultural and historical figures, such as writers, artists, and politicians.

The Bulgarian National Bank issues the Bulgarian Lev, and the currency is mostly used for domestic transactions. The national bank keeps a tight economic policy to maintain the viability of the Lev against international currencies and is also responsible for issuing Bulgarian Lev Forex cards.

The Bulgarian Lev exchange rate against the major world currencies is presented below. These values represent the Bulgarian Lev rate today.

 1. 1 Bulgarian Lev to Indian Rupee: 0 🔄 INR

 2. 1 Bulgarian Lev to Dollar: 0.54 USD

 3. 1 Bulgarian Lev to AUD: 0.81 AUD

 4. 1 Bulgarian Lev to Euro: 0.51 Euro

 5. 1 Bulgarian Lev to Pound: 0.45 Pound

You can find the live Bulgarian Lev rate in the international market with a simple search on a search engine and get the latest Bulgarian Lev currency exchange.

History of the Bulgarian Lev

The Bulgarian Lev has a complicated history. It was originally used in 1881 to replace the Bulgarian peseta at a rate of 1 Lev = 4 Pesetas. Initially, the Lev was tied to the French franc at a rate of 1 Lev = 0.554 Francs. Bulgaria joined the gold standard in 1912, with the Bulgarian Lev linked to the British pound at a rate of 1 Bulgarian Lev equaling 0.375 Pounds.

Bulgaria developed a planned economy following WWII, and the Bulgarian Lev was tied to the Soviet ruble at a rate of 1 Lev = 0.15 Rubles. The Bulgarian Lev was not freely convertible, and the government regulated its value. Following the fall of communism in the 1990s, Bulgaria established a market-based economy, with the Lev tied to the German Mark at a rate of 1 Lev = 0.51 Marks. Bulgaria joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) in 1999, and the Lev was tied to the Euro at 1.95583 Lev = 1 Euro. The lev is completely convertible and permitted to freely float against other currencies.

Bulgaria entered the European Union in 2007, and the Bulgarian Lev price was formally tied to the euro at 1.95583 Lev = 1 Euro. This peg has stayed in place until now. As such, the Bulgarian Lev rate today is tied to the value of the Euro.

Countries Accepting the Bulgarian Lev

Amount in the Bulgarian Lev You Should Carry for Your Trip

The amount of Bulgarian Lev you will need for your trip varies depending on the kind of trip you are going to take. You can easily tour and live in the country from anywhere between 50 BGN to 200-300 BGN. There are also ATMs that accept international cards.