Money, prices and costs
The currency of Bulgaria is the Lev - or in the plural form, Leva. (In Bulgarian, "lev" is the old for lion.). The Bulgarian national monetary unit is the Lev (BGL), divided into 100 stotinki. On July 5, 1999, the Lev was re-denominated at a rate of 1,000 old Leva to one new Lev. Banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva are in common circulation. Coins are minted in values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki. A lower bank exchange rate is quoted a rule by the exchange bureaus at the major hotels, railway stations, bus stations, maritime ports, and international airports. Money can be exchanged also in the numerous private exchange bureaus, some of which are open through the week round, and others operate non-stop.
Payments in the Republic of Bulgaria are effected only in Leva or in Leva equivalent. In larger resorts and at places authorised to effect foreign exchange, certain payments may be effected in foreign currency. There are shops selling only for foreign currency and duty free shops at the border checkpoints and in the tax-free zones of the country.
The main international credit cards can be used in the country. In every major town there are cash dispensers (Bancomats) at the larger banks. A growing number of services can be paid for with credit cards - mainly hotel bills, tickets of large agencies, luxury shops and restaurants, vacation costs, certain more expensive souvenirs, etc. Bulgarian citizens or residents may pay with debit or credit cards pay for their phone, central heating, water supply bills, as well as for big purchases, cellular phone bills or Internet service, etc.
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