BULGARIA

CURRENCY:

Lev - BGN or BGL

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: BGN100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1

COIN: BGN1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 stotinki

Please Note: Notes dated 1997 and before are now out of circulation. The Lev (BGN) is tied to the Euro at a fixed rate of €1 = BGN1.955

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

Not specified.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

Bulgaria is predominantly a cash country - it prefers the use of cash. However, most major credit cards are accepted at larger hotels and shops in main cities. Note: ATM machines in Bulgaria may not accept foreign money cards.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

Please note that it is illegal to be charged commission when changing money at official offices. Visitors are encouraged to do currency exchange at larger hotels, independent currency exchange offices and banks. Also noteworthy is that shops, banks and bureaux de change will not accept torn or very dirty foreign currency.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

Best in US Dollars, Sterling or Euros. However it is more recommended to use cash.

BANKING HOURS:

Mon-Fri 0900 - 1600

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Import of foreign currency is permitted - unlimited, provided declared. Export of foreign currency is permitted - on departure, customs may as for "Bordeveaux".

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Bulgaria's full name is the Republic of Bulgaria and is situated in the Balkans. It has been a member of the European Union since 2007. It is surrounded by Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. It is also bordered by the Black Sea. The capital is Sofia.

POPULATION:

7,640,238

ECONOMY:

The economy of Bulgaria has been described as "upper-middle-income" by the World Bank. However, it is still the second-poorest state of the EU. It has experienced healthy of levels of growth and standards of living are also on the increase. Some of the main elements of the economy are agriculture and food-processing, and industry. The country produces high levels of electricity. The issues with Bulgaria as seen by the EU is that it is not doing enough to fight high levels of corruption.