03.01.2026 17:18
As of January 1, 2026, the official currency in Bulgaria, the lev, will be replaced by the euro, while in Edirne, where tourists from the neighboring country frequently shop, shopkeepers have started using the euro instead of the lev on their signs.
The neighboring country Bulgaria's transition to the European Union has resulted in its currency becoming the euro as of January 1, 2026. Tourists coming to Edirne for shopping from the country where the use of the lev has ended are trying to adapt to the process, while local shopkeepers have started to remove the lev from their signs and use the euro instead.
In the Ulus Market, one of the main places where Bulgarians shop in the city, shopkeepers welcomed their customers during the transition process, and there was a crowd in the first market of the year. UPEK President Yüksel Barış Atkoşan stated that as of January 1, the Bulgarian lev will no longer be used, saying, "The euro, the currency of the European Union, will be used by Bulgarian customers instead of the lev. Of course, it is very unlikely that the currency will be completely withdrawn at first. I believe that for a few years, the exchange of lev for euro will still be possible at Central Bank branches or bank branches. At this point, we assume that Bulgarian customers are already prepared for this. Because today, there is again a heavy influx of Bulgarian customers. As always, their first choice for shopping is Edirne Ulus Market. This is a situation that is pleasing both for us and for the contribution to the country's economy," he said.
"SHOPKEEPERS WILL AVOID ACCEPTING LEV"
Atkoşan expressed that shopkeepers are also prepared for the process, stating, "At this point, shopkeepers will probably avoid accepting lev. Bulgarian customers who know this will come here with euros, not with lev. As far as we can see, there is no major problem at the transition point. We can understand this from the current density of Bulgarian customers. We also assume that they came prepared. This is not a process that developed suddenly; Bulgarian customers have been preparing for this for about a year. Therefore, they also know that this is a milestone. We see from today's density that Bulgarian customers have come prepared," he said.
"WHAT THEY BUY FOR 15 EUROS HERE, THEY WILL BUY FOR 75 EUROS THERE"
Shopkeeper Salih Mızrak stated that they have prepared their signs in both lev and euro, saying, "Bulgar citizens are actually prepared for this. They had the infrastructure. We have been waiting for a year. We are currently writing our signs in both lev and euro. Right now, both lev and euro are valid. So there is no problem for us. There hasn't been a problem for them either. I don't think it will affect their arrival because the prices here are much lower than there. For example, what they can buy for 15 euros here, they will have to pay 75 euros there. So it doesn't matter. Whether they buy it for 30 lev here or 15 euros, it’s the same. This is a reliable market. They shop as they please and leave," he said.
"WE WILL STRUGGLE FOR A WHILE"
Ayten Mehmekaye, who came to shop from Bulgaria, stated that the removal of the lev has put pressure on people in Bulgaria, saying, "The removal of the lev has been very difficult for people. It's something very different. I think people will be very surprised; there is nothing to be done. We will struggle for a while in shopping. Some shopkeepers here accept lev, some do not. We are also experiencing difficulties. For this reason, we brought a lot of Turkish lira with us to avoid this problem," she said.
"NOW WE TAKE EUROS WITH US"
Sevgül Salihibrahim stated, "Until the end of the first month, you can shop with lev. After that, it will only be euros. You can also exchange your lev until the sixth month. You can do transactions at any bank. I think this process will shake the Bulgarian people a bit, it will be challenging. We are now taking euros with us when we come to Edirne for shopping. Today, I see that shopkeepers in the market are doing transactions with euros; the lev has already been removed," she said.