Paying with bank cards in Bulgaria (2024)

FAQs

Paying with bank cards in Bulgaria? ›

If you travel to Bulgaria, you can safely use your credit card to make payments and withdraw cash. You'll just have to be careful to not incur fees you can otherwise avoid.

Credit and debit cards are widely used in Bulgarian towns and cities, in larger shops, hotels and restaurants. However, smaller restaurants and stores, even in the capital, won't be able to process card transactions. Check before you commit to a purchase.

Major credit and debit cards are accepted in Bulgaria's cities and larger towns. However, if you're headed somewhere more rural or planning on making purchases at markets or roadside stalls, carry cash.

Cash is widely used in Bulgaria, so it's worth having some with you at all times. You may want to exchange money to BGN before you leave, but it's also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Bulgaria.

Debit Mastercard® and Visa Debit offer all manners of payment and cash withdrawal. You can make contactless payments in Bulgaria and abroad at POS terminals, designated with the respective sign.

Opt for a Mastercard or Visa.

They're the most widely accepted cards and Bulgaria is no exception, though you can still use your American Express cards in some locations. There are also enough ATMs around if you want to withdraw cash with these cards as well.

Cash was a dominant payment method in Bulgaria, with over 80 percent of all transactions being done with cash money in 2020. This according to estimations based on the available data regarding cash withdrawals and payment transactions.

Rubles and dollars are not accepted here, so bring the euro (EUR) with you before you leave for Bulgaria.

Tip in the local currency

Whenever you tip during your trip to Bulgaria it is important to use the local currency, that is - Bulgarian leva. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

is it better to change money at banks rather than in hotels ? Hotels are safe, but normally a higher rate at the banks. My advice is take with you Euros at your best rate in UK. Here in Bulgaria in each bank you can exchange the Euro to Leva at fix rate.

How much lev should I take to Bulgaria? ›

A good daily budget for Bulgaria would be 20-30 lev per person for meals and 15 lev for taxi journeys.

Taking money into Bulgaria

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Bulgarian Currency

Credit Cards: Better hotels, shops and restaurants in Sofia accept credit cards, but this is not so in smaller villages in the country. Cash is widely accepted form of payment in Bulgaria and it is always better to keep some bills on you.

It is one of the most stable currencies in the world. Rubles and dollars are not accepted here, so bring the euro (EUR) with you before you leave for Bulgaria. But you can only use this currency for very large purchases or when visiting a large supermarket.

How to use the Chase card abroad. Use your Chase card overseas exactly as you would at home. You can use your physical Chase card to spend in stores and restaurants, and to make international withdrawals at ATMs. Just look out for the Mastercard logo wherever you are to check if the network is accepted.

ATMs in Bulgaria may charge flat fees per withdrawal. Using a local bank ATM rather than a commercial ATM is the best way to avoid these. Your bank may also charge either flat fees or a percentage as a withdrawal fee, or foreign transaction fees.

The best currency to take to Bulgaria is the local currency, the Bulgarian lev. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices. However, instead of converting physical banknotes, the cheapest way to pay in Bulgaria is to use a multi-currency travel debit card like Revolut or Wise.