In the event you’re planning to journey to Bulgaria, there’s one factor it is best to put together for – cash!
On this information, we’ll discover all of the subjects associated to cash in Bulgaria.
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We’ll speak in regards to the forex, withdrawals and ATMs, Bulgarian financial institution accounts, cash transfers in Bulgaria, and a few journey ideas associated to cash.
With out additional ado, let’s take a look on the Bulgarian forex.
Bulgarian Lev
The official forex in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN).
You’ll discover banknotes and cash.
1 Lev is split into 100 Stotinka.
Banknotes:
- 5 (pink)
- 10 (yellow)
- 20 (blue)
- 50 (yellow)
- 100 (inexperienced)
Cash:
- 1 Stotinka
- 2 Stotinka
- 5 Stotinka
- 10 Stotinka
- 20 Stotinka
- 50 Stotinka
- 1 Lev
- 2 Lev
Because the forex change can fluctuate rapidly, we advocate you retain a take a look at the most recent charges earlier than your journey and through your journey.
I normally take a screenshot of the most recent charges the day earlier than the journey in order that I can have a fast look to get accustomed to the conversion once I purchase one thing or withdraw cash.
Greatest Approach To Get Money In Bulgaria
One of the simplest ways to get Bulgarian Lev is to withdraw cash in an ATM or change cash earlier than your journey/on arrival).
I personally use financial institution ATMs to withdraw money in Bulgaria as I’m not a giant fan of exchanging cash overseas, however some folks want this, so we’ll be certain to cowl every subject on this information.
Withdrawing Money In Bulgaria
You possibly can simply discover ATMs in Bulgaria, particularly in greater cities and vacationer hotspots. You’ll discover them at banks, malls, supermarkets, airports, and on the streets.
Nonetheless, those on the streets, like Euronet, normally cost huge charges, so we advocate avoiding these.
Most ATMs settle for debit/bank cards from everywhere in the world. You need to have the ability to withdraw BGN with no drawback. I personally use Revolut in Bulgaria to withdraw cash.
Nonetheless, in Bulgaria, the restrict for withdrawals isn’t that top. That mentioned, you would possibly must do a number of withdrawals to get the quantity you want.
How To Withdraw Cash In Bulgaria
Observe the steps beneath to withdraw money in Bulgaria:
- Discover an ATM
- Insert your card
- Choose your language
- Click on on the choice to make a withdrawal
- In the event you’re given an choice for the change price, choose the choice “With out Conversion”, as you’ll get a greater change price this manner
- Settle for the transaction charges (if any)
- Take your cash and card
I personally use my Revolut card to withdraw cash in Bulgaria. Revolut is a superb choice for vacationers as you’ll be able to freeze and unfreeze your card. There are different benefits for vacationers too. Be taught extra by studying our Revolut overview.
Exchanging Cash In Bulgaria
One other option to get cash in Bulgaria is by exchanging currencies. You’ll find change places of work in airports, main cities, or banks.
Whereas some folks want the comfort of fixing cash earlier than their journey, it’s higher to change cash in Bulgaria. The change charges you discover in Bulgaria are normally higher.
Now, it’s possible you’ll be questioning which forex to take to Bulgaria. Consider the primary currencies corresponding to USD and EUR. Nonetheless, you’ll solely have the ability to use Bulgarian Lev (BGN) in Bulgaria.
Make sure that to depend your cash your self too, and test Google Map opinions if unsure.
Funds In Bulgaria
Money in Bulgaria is helpful, and it is best to all the time have some in your pocket. That mentioned, funds with debit/bank cards are gaining popularity.
Let’s check out the first fee strategies in Bulgaria.
Money
Generally, you’ll need to pay with money.
So, be certain to all the time have some Bulgarian Levs with you.
In the event you’re out of money, it is best to have the ability to discover ATMs simply, so you’ll be able to all the time go withdraw cash if wanted. We advocate you keep away from withdrawing cash from Euronet ATMs as a result of they cost excessive charges.
As a substitute, use Bulgarian financial institution ATMs.
Debit/Credit score Playing cards
Though there are nonetheless locations the place you’ll be able to’t pay with playing cards, you’ll discover that some eating places and shops settle for it. For instance, fashionable eating places, supermarkets, and malls settle for funds by card.
Once I pay with a card, I normally use my Revolut card.
In some outlets, you should use the contactless methodology, however in some locations, you’ll must enter your PIN code.
Tipping In Bulgaria
It’s fairly regular to tip in Bulgaria. For instance, in eating places, you may give round 10% of the invoice.
Nonetheless, most individuals spherical it up when paying.
It’s essential to notice that the majority locations can solely settle for ideas in money as in case you add ideas by card, the tip received’t go to the waiter however to the restaurant proprietor. You possibly can all the time ask the waiter to make sure.
Bulgaria Journey Cash Suggestions
One of the simplest ways to get Bulgarian Levs is to make use of an ATM to get money or change currencies in Bulgaria.
One of the simplest ways to journey with cash in Bulgaria is through the use of a journey card like Revolut. This fashion, you’ll be able to pay by card when you’ll be able to or withdraw cash simply.
Having a Bulgaria SIM card to entry the Web in Bulgaria could be helpful if you wish to see the forex change charges or discover an ATM close by.
When withdrawing bigger sums, we advocate the next:
- Put your cash someplace secure (pockets or cash belt).
- When you arrive at your lodging, discover a secure spot in your cash. You don’t want to hold all of your cash always (until you wish to). In the event you keep in a hostel, be certain to maintain your cash hidden and locked in a locker. In the event you keep in a lodge, you can even disguise and lock your cash or just put the “don’t disturb signal” on the door. Consequently, you’ll get no cleansing and no strangers in your room.
How A lot Cash To Convey To Bulgaria
All of it will depend on your journey type and price range. I all the time get cash on arrival, so I don’t actually “deliver cash to Bulgaria”.
Though, if you want cash on arrival, you’ll be able to change cash earlier than your journey.
Listed below are some pointers to remember to determine the appropriate amount of cash to deliver to Bulgaria:
- How lengthy is your journey?
- Is your lodging paid for, or will you might want to pay on arrival?
- Are your excursions and actions paid for, or will you might want to pay on arrival?
- How are you planning on getting round Bulgaria?
- What’s your price range for Bulgaria?
As soon as you understand the solutions to those questions, it is best to have the ability to have a tough thought of how a lot cash is required in Bulgaria.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to withdraw money on arrival as an alternative of bringing cash with you. ATMs in Bulgaria can be found in airports, and banks. So, you’ll have the ability to get money simply.
Opening A Financial institution Account In Bulgaria
In the event you plan to remain in Bulgaria for some time, contemplate opening a checking account. Nonetheless, it is best to know that the method is lengthy and also you’ll want to supply a number of paperwork.
You’ll want proof of handle, a residency card, and extra. As a Canadian, opening a checking account was lengthy, and we wanted to make use of a translator.
As a substitute, you might open a Revolut account in Bulgaria. As soon as I received my residency card in Bulgaria, I opened a Revolut account and shut my different Bulgarian checking account. Revolut is extra handy for my wants.
Bulgaria Cash Transfers
One of the simplest ways to switch cash to Bulgaria is with Clever. I’ve used Clever a number of instances to ship cash to a Bulgarian checking account, and it really works high quality.
It may take a couple of days, so be certain to ship cash forward of time if required.
Alternatively, you might additionally use Revolut to switch cash to Bulgaria.
That mentioned, it’s value evaluating your choices to search out one of the best forex change price and switch charges.
Let’s see why it’s possible you’ll must switch cash to Bulgaria:
- Paying hire to the owner
- Shopping for a property in Bulgaria
- Fee of utility payments
Ultimate Ideas On Cash In Bulgaria
And that’s all you might want to find out about cash in Bulgaria!
Having a journey card from Revolut is one of the simplest ways to handle your cash. It’s simple to prime up, provides you a superb change price, and you should use it to pay for issues in Bulgaria.
As you’ll be able to see, having money continues to be a should in Bulgaria. Simply be certain to be good about it and take note of the place you set your cash.
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