View source for Bulgarian lev

{{short description|Currency of Bulgaria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox currency
| name                      = Bulgarian lev
| local_name                = български лев
| local_name_lang           = bg
| image_1                   = The First Bulgarian Banknote Frontside.png
| image_2                   = 
| image_title_1             = The first Bulgarian banknote, 1885
| image_title_2             = Bulgarian lev lv.1 banknote
| iso_code                  = BGN
| issuing_authority         = [[Bulgarian National Bank]]
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|www.bnb.bg}}
| date_of_introduction      = {{start date|1880|06|04|df=yes}}
| date_of_withdrawal        = 31 December 2025
| replaced_by_currency      = [[Euro]]
| using_countries           = {{flag|Bulgaria}}
| inflation_rate            = 2.2%<ref>[https://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/pressreleases/Inflation2024-12_VECD87X.pdf National Statistical Institute, December 2024]</ref>
| inflation_method          = [[Consumer price index]] (CPI)
| ERM_since                 = 10 July 2020
| ERM_withdraw              = 
| ERM_fixed_rate_since      = 
| euro_replace_non_cash     = 
| euro_replace_cash         = 
| ERM_fixed_rate            = BGN 1.95583<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2020/html/ecb.pr200710~4aa5e3565a.en.html|title=Communiqué on Bulgaria|date=10 July 2020|last1=Bank|first1=European Central}}</ref>
| ERM_band                  = 15.0% ''de jure''; 0.0% ''de facto''
| pegged_with               = [[Euro]] (€) = 1.95583 leva
| subunit_ratio_1           = {{frac|1|100}}
| subunit_name_1            = stotinka
| symbol                    = <!-- no explicit symbol like € or $ -->
| symbol_comment            = The abbreviation лв. (lv.) is used
| symbol_subunit_1          = ст. (st.)
| nickname                  = ''kint''<ref>The nickname for ''lev'' can be both ''kint'' (masc) and ''kinta'' (fem), inflected accordingly for plurals and numerical values (''kinta, kinti''); ''stotinka'' – which literally simply means ''hundreth'' (diminutive) – is usually shortened to ''stinka''.</ref>
| plural                    = levove, numeric: leva
| plural_subunit_1          = stotinki
| used_coins                = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 st., 1 lev, 2 leva
| used_banknotes            = 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 leva
| printer                   = 
| value                     = 
| printer_website           = 
| mint                      = [[Bulgarian Mint]]
| mint_website              = {{URL|www.mint.bg}}
}}
The '''''lev''''' ({{langx|bg|лев}}, plural: {{lang|bg|лева, левове}} / {{lang|bg-Latn|leva}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lev |title=Lev - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2014-07-22}}</ref> {{lang|bg-Latn|levove}}; [[ISO 4217]] code: '''BGN'''; numeric code: 975) is the [[currency]] of [[Bulgaria]]. In early modern Bulgarian, the word ''lev'' meant "[[lion]]"; the word "lion" in the modern standard language is ''lаv'' ({{IPA|bg|ɫɤf|IPA}}; in Bulgarian: {{lang|bg|лъв}}). The lev is subdivided into 100 ''stotinki'' ({{lang|bg|стотинки}}, singular: {{lang|bg-Latn|stotinka}}, {{
lang|bg|стотинка}}). ''Stotinka'' in Bulgarian means "a hundredth" and is, in fact, a direct translation of the French term "centime". Grammatically, the word ''stotinka'' is derived from the Bulgarian word "sto" (сто; a hundred).

Since 1997, the Bulgarian lev has operated under a [[currency board]] arrangement, initially pegged to the [[Deutsche Mark]] at a fixed rate of 1,000 BGL = 1 DEM. Following the introduction of the [[euro]] and the redenomination of the lev in 1999, the peg was effectively set at 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR. Since 2020, the lev has been part of the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism]] (ERM II). In November 2023, Bulgarian euro coins design was approved by the [[Bulgarian National Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The design of future Bulgarian euro coins has been approved |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/101909237/the-design-of-future-bulgarian-euro-coins-has-been-approved |access-date=27 January 2024 |website=Radio Bulgaria}}</ref> 

Bulgaria will adopt the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2026, replacing the Bulgarian lev.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2025 |title=Bulgaria meets criteria to join the euro area on 1 January 2026 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1386 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bulgaria ready to use the euro from 1 January 2026: Council takes final steps |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/08/bulgaria-ready-to-use-the-euro-from-1-january-2026-council-takes-final-steps/ |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=Consilium |language=en}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The currency's name comes from the archaic Bulgarian word "lev", which meant ''lion'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elementary school Sesvetska Sopnica - Erasmus+ Internship - Bulgarian currency - lev (лев) |url=http://www.os-sesvetska-sopnica.skole.hr/projects/comenius?news_id=1825 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.os-sesvetska-sopnica.skole.hr}}</ref> just like in the case of the [[Romanian leu]]. In both cases, the lion refers to the [[Thaler#Dutch Republic|Dutch thaler]] ({{lang|nl|leeuwendaalder}} "lion thaler/dollar").<ref>[http://bnr.ro/Euro-Exhibition---Opening-Speech-by-Mugur-Isarescu,-NBR-Governor--6613.aspx Euro Exhibition - Opening Speech by Mugur Isărescu, NBR Governor]{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, BNR.ro</ref><ref>[http://bnr.ro/page.aspx?prid=7877 Numismatic issue - a set of three collector coins dedicated to 140 years since the establishment of military communications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129154513/https://bnr.ro/page.aspx?prid=7877 |date=29 November 2021 }}, BNR.ro</ref><ref>[http://www.oanda.com/currency/iso-currency-codes/RON Romanian New Leu], oanda.com</ref> The Dutch ''leeuwendaalder'' was imitated in several German and Italian cities, and these coins circulated in Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria and gave their name to their respective currencies: the ''Romanian leu'', the ''[[Moldovan leu]]'' and the ''Bulgarian lev''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=leu&allowed_in_frame=0 |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref>
[[File:Loewentaler.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Dutch Thaler, depicting a lion, the origin of the Bulgarian "Lev"]]

Bulgarian national mythologising historiography has produced much content on the lion connection, presenting it as the national symbol of Bulgaria throughout centuries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trankova |first=Dimana |others=photography by Anthony Georgieff |date=2018-04-02 |title=LIONS OF BULGARIA |url=https://www.vagabond.bg/lions-bulgaria-686 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=VAGABOND |language=en}}</ref> Lions were common in the region until about 300 BC.<ref name= Masseti2013>{{cite journal |last1 = Masseti | first1 = M. | last2 = Mazza | first2 = P.P.A. | title = Western European Quaternary lions: new working hypotheses | journal = Biological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 109 | number = 109 | pages = 66–77| year = 2013 | doi = 10.1111/bij.12032 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name=Guggisberg1975>{{Cite book |last=Guggisberg |first=C. A. W. |chapter=Lion ''Panthera leo'' (Linnaeus, 1758) |title=Wild Cats of the World |year=1975 |publisher=Taplinger Publishing |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8008-8324-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/wildcatsofworld00gugg/page/138 138–179] |chapter-url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/wildcatsofworld00gugg/page/138 }}</ref> In Bulgaria, the lion features in numerous historical monuments. The oldest images, found on slates in the city of [[Stara Zagora]], date back to the 9th–10th century AD. A lion is depicted on The [[Madara Rider|Madara Horseman]] – an impressive medieval rock relief carved into a towering rock plateau in north-eastern Bulgaria in the 7th or 8th century AD, which is on [[UNESCO]]'s World Heritage List. In the Middle Ages, Bulgarian kings such as [[Ivan Shishman]], one of the last rulers of the Second Bulgarian kingdom, celebrated the lion as a symbol of power.

In the time of Bulgarian national awakening in the years of Ottoman rule, the [[lion]] was considered and widely used as a major national symbol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opening of the exhibition 'Lion – the Bulgarian national symbol of the Renaissance' |url=http://www.jinr.ru/posts/leo-the-bulgarian-national-symbol-of-the-renaissance/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Joint Institute for Nuclear Research |language=en-US}}</ref> Paisii of Hilendar, a discerning monk and a key Revival figure, mentioned in his ground-breaking tome {{lang|bg-Latn|Istorija Slavjanobolgarskaja}} that [[Bulgarians]] had a lion on their kings' royal seal: a [[symbol]] of the bravery, courage and invincibility of Bulgarian warriors, who fought "like lions."

Lion images on revolutionary flags,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bulgaria |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/bg.html |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.fotw.info}}</ref> used in the 1876 freedom-seeking April uprising, provide a proof that the lion continued to be considered as a national [[symbol]]. In the immediate period leading up to the revolt, revolutionary flags were made, featuring a golden lion rampant and the motto "Freedom or Death". These flags, most often hand-made by local teachers or icon painters, have been preserved in Bulgarian museums to the present day. Most flags were made of green silk and had a painted or embroidered lion on them, in a heraldic posture and trampling over the Crescent – the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. The same image can be seen on items of one-time rebel outfits such as hats and buttons. In [[Bulgarian folklore]] and Revival Literature, these lion depictions were called lion signs attributed to the Bulgarian revolutionaries' image. "Young Bulgarian heroes... lion signs on their foreheads, fire blazing in their eyes," says a most popular Bulgarian Revival period song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bezovska |first=Albena |date=2010-09-24 |title=Folk Studio – the Legendary Bulgarian Lion |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/100111955/folk-studio-the-legendary-bulgarian-lion |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=[[Bulgarian National Radio]]}}</ref>

== History ==
==={{anchor|1st}}{{anchor|BGJ}}First lev (1881–1952)===
The lev was introduced as Bulgaria's currency in 1881 with a value equal to the [[French franc]]. The [[gold standard]] was suspended between 1899 and 1906 and suspended again in 1912. Until 1916, Bulgaria's silver and gold coins were issued to the same specifications as those of the [[Latin Monetary Union]]. Banknotes issued until 1928 were backed by gold (''leva zlato'' / ''zlatni'', лева злато / златни) or silver (''leva srebro'' / ''srebarni'', лева сребро / сребърни).

In 1928, a new gold standard of 1 lev = 10.86956&nbsp;mg gold was established.

During World War II, in 1940, the lev was [[Fixed exchange rate|pegged]] to the [[German Reichsmark]] at a rate of 32.75 leva = 1 Reichsmark. With the [[USSR|Soviet]] occupation in September 1944, the lev was pegged to the [[Soviet ruble]] at 15 leva = 1 ruble. A series of pegs to the [[U.S. dollar]] followed: 120 leva = 1 dollar in October 1945, 286.50 leva in December 1945 and 143.25 leva in March 1947. No coins were issued after 1943; only banknotes were issued until the currency reform of 1952.
[[File:10 Stotinki, 1888, Brussel, Ferdinand I (als prins), Bulgarije. 1888 barcode 800000091795 (2).jpg|thumb|149x149px|10 stotinki 1888]]

====Coins====
[[File:Bulgaria 20 stotinka.JPG|thumb|250px|1912 20 stotinki]]
Between 1881 and 1884, bronze 2, 5, and 20 stotinki, and silver 50 stotinki, 1, 2, and 5 leva were introduced, followed, in 1888, by cupro-nickel {{frac|2|1|2}}, 5, 10, and 20 stotinki. Gold 10 and 20 leva were issued in 1894. Bronze 1 stotinka were introduced in 1901.

Production of silver coins ceased in 1916, with zinc replacing cupro-nickel in the 5, 10, and 20 stotinki in 1917. In 1923, aluminum 1 and 2 leva coins were introduced, followed by cupro-nickel pieces in 1925. In 1930, cupro-nickel 5 and 10 leva and silver 20, 50, and 100 leva were introduced, with silver coins issued until 1937, in which year aluminium-bronze 50 stotinki were issued.

In 1940, cupro-nickel 20 and 50 leva were issued, followed, in 1941, by iron 1, 2, 5, and 10 leva. In 1943, nickel-clad-steel 5, 10 and 50 leva were struck. These were the last coins issued for this version of the lev.
[[File:BG coin.jpg|thumb|the gold 20 leva (1894)]]

====Banknotes====
[[File:Banknotes of Bulgaria 500 Leva banknote of 1942, Boris III.jpg|thumb|500 Leva banknote of 1942, Tsar Boris III]]
In 1885, the [[Bulgarian National Bank]] introduced notes for 20 and 50 gold leva, followed in 1887 by 100 gold leva and, in 1890, by 5 and 10 gold leva notes. In 1899, 5, 10 and 50 silver leva notes were issued, followed by 100 and 500 silver leva in 1906 and 1907, respectively. 500 gold leva notes were also introduced in 1907.
[[File:5 leva Ferdinand I of Bulgaria - 1894.png|thumb|5 leva coin (1894)]]
In 1916, 1 and 2 silver leva and 1000 gold leva notes were introduced, followed by 2500 and 10,000 gold leva notes in 1919. In 1924, 5000 leva notes were issued, the first to lack a metal designation. In 1928, a new series of notes (dated 1922 and 1925) was introduced which gave the denominations solely in leva. Denominations introduced were 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 leva. These were followed in 1929 by 200 and 250 leva.

In 1930, coins up to 100 leva replaced notes, although 20-lev notes were issued between 1943 and 1950. Between 1943 and 1945, State Treasury Bills for 1000 and 5000 leva were issued.

==={{anchor|2nd}}{{anchor|BGK}}Second lev (1952–1962)===
In 1952, following wartime inflation, a new lev replaced the original lev at a rate of 1 "new" lev = 100 "old" leva. However the rate for banking accounts was different, ranging from 100:3 to 200:1. Prices for goods were replaced at a rate of 25:1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euro2001.net/issues/5_1998/8BR98F6.htm |title=Нула = Нищо. А Три Нули? |publisher=Euro2001.net |access-date=2014-07-22}}</ref> The new lev was pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 6.8 leva = 1 dollar, falling to 9.52 leva on July 29, 1957.

====Coins====
In 1952, coins (dated 1951) were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 stotinki, with the lower three denominations in brass and the higher two in cupro-nickel. Shortly after, cupro-nickel 20 stotinki coins dated 1952 were also issued, followed by 50 stotinki in 1959 and 1 lev in 1960 which replaced the 1 lev note (both also in cupro-nickel). All stotinki coins feature a head of wheat around denomination on the reverse and state emblem on the obverse, while the lev coin depicts an olive branch wreath around the denomination.

====Banknotes====
In 1952, state notes (dated 1951)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknotesinfo.com/BULGARIA/1951/WIKI-1951-leva.html |title=BULGARIA 500 LEVA 1951 |publisher=Banknotesinfo.com |date=1952-05-12 |access-date=2014-07-22}}</ref>  were issued in 1, 3 and 5 leva, together with notes of the National Bank for 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 leva. 500-lev notes were printed but not issued. 1 lev notes were withdrawn after the introduction of a coin in 1960. 1, 3, and 5 leva depict the state emblem, while all denominations 10 leva and up depict [[Georgi Dimitrov]], who had a post-mortem [[cult of personality]] built up around him by that time period. The reverse side of 1 lev, 3 and 5 leva notes depict hands holding up the hammer and sickle, while higher denominations each depict workers at various trades.

==={{anchor|3rd}}{{anchor|BGL}}Third lev (1962–1999)===
{{Infobox currency
| name            = Lev
| local_name      = 
| local_name_lang = 
| obsolete        = yes
| obsolete_notice = no
| qid             = Q115191097<!-- 3 obsolete ISO codes -->
| image_1         = 
| image_title_1   = 
| image_alt_1     = 
| iso_comment     = earlier codes: {{mono|1=BGJ, BGK, BGL}}
| using_countries = 
| unit            = 
| symbol          = 
| nickname        = 
| plural          = 
}}
In 1962, another redenomination took place at the rate of 10 to 1, setting the exchange rate at 1.17 leva = 1 U. S. dollar, with the tourist rate falling to 2 leva on February 1, 1964. The ISO 4217 code was '''{{mono|BGL}}'''. After this, the lev remained fairly stable for almost three decades. However, like other Communist countries' currencies, it was not freely convertible for Western funds. Consequently, black market rates were five to ten times higher than the official rate<!-- it was varying, I remember a black market exchange rate of $1 for 3 leva in the mid 80's -->. During the period, until 1989 the lev was backed by gold, and the banknotes have the text stating: "The bank note is backed by gold and all assets of the bank" ({{langx|bg|"Банкнотата е обезпечена със злато и всички активи на банката"}}).

After the fall of communism, Bulgaria experienced several episodes of drastic inflation and currency devaluation. In order to change this, in 1997, the lev was pegged to the [[Deutsche Mark]], with 1,000 lev equal to 1 DM (one lev equal to 0.1 pfennig).

Since 1997, Bulgaria has been in a system of [[currency board]], and all Bulgarian currency in circulation has been completely backed by the foreign exchange reserves of the [[Bulgarian National Bank]] (BNB).

====Coins====

In 1962, [[aluminum-bronze]] 1, 2, and 5 stotinki, and [[nickel-brass]] 10, 20 and 50 stotinki and 1 lev were introduced. The coin series strongly resembles coinage from the Soviet Union during the same period, particularly in design and size.

The state emblem is depicted on the obverse of all coins, which went through several changes. The first change in 1962 with the introduction of the new coinage, and the second change in 1974, with the ribbons being the most noticeable change.

A number of commemorative 2 leva coins also circulated during this period, often released into circulation as they had relatively high production numbers and little collector's value. Higher denomination lev coins have also been introduced into circulation at an irregular basis with varying sizes and metallic compositions, including silver. Mostly due to an overstock of [[numismatic]] coins not getting sold to collectors. Similar occurrences to this can be seen with high denomination coins from [[East Germany]] and [[Poland]] during the same period.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Communist era coins
|-
! Image !! Denomination !! Diameter !! Weight !! Composition !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Minted Year
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| || 1 stotinka || 15.2&nbsp;mm || 1 g || rowspan="4" |Brass || rowspan="9" |Coat of Arms || rowspan="9" |Denomination and date || rowspan="9" |1951-1990
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  || 2 stotinki || 18.1&nbsp;mm ||  2 g
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |
|3 stotinki
|19.8 mm
|2.4 g
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  || 5 stotinki || 22.35&nbsp;mm || 3.1 g
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  || 10 stotinki || 17.1&nbsp;mm || 1.8 g || rowspan="5" |Nickel-brass and copper-nickel
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  || 20 stotinki || 21.2&nbsp;mm || 2.9 g
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |
|25 stotinki
|22 mm
|3.3 g
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| || 50 stotinki || 23.3&nbsp;mm || 4.2 g
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  || 1 lev || 24&nbsp;mm || 4.8 g
|}

=====Post-communist coins=====

In 1992, after the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria|communist era]], older coins were withdrawn and a new coinage was introduced in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 stotinki, 1, 2, 5 and 10 leva. All were struck in nickel-brass except for the [[cupro-nickel]] 10 leva. In 1997, nickel-brass 10, 20 and 50 leva were introduced.

====Banknotes====
In 1962, the National Bank issued notes for 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 leva. A second series, in the same denominations, was issued in 1974. 50 leva notes were introduced in 1990. Again, denominations 10 leva and up featured Georgi Dimitrov, 1, 2, and 5 featured the state emblem. After the fall of the communist regime, new notes were introduced for 20, 50, 100 and 200 leva. These were followed by 500 leva notes in 1993, 1000 and 2000 leva in 1994, 5000 and 10,000 leva in 1996 (re-released with new design and look in 1997), and 50,000 leva in 1997. Furthermore, two new banknotes of 20,000 and 100,000 leva were scheduled to be introduced in 1997 and 1998, but their production was cancelled following the introduction of currency board in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/sedmicata/1997/10/25/241381_nova_banknota_ot_10_hil_leva_vliza_v_upotreba/|title=Нова банкнота от 10 хил. лева влиза в употреба|last=Capital.bg|website=www.capital.bg|language=bg|trans-title=New banknote of 10 thousand leva enters in circulation.|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.banker.bg/finansov-dnevnik/read/nominalite-na-demokraciiata|title=НОМИНАЛИТЕ НА ДЕМОКРАЦИЯТА|website=www.banker.bg|language=bg|trans-title=The nominals of the democracy|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref>

==={{anchor|4th}}{{anchor|BGN}}Fourth lev (1999–2025)===
On 5 July 1999 the lev was redenominated at 1000:1 with 1 new lev equal to 1 [[Deutsche Mark]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iki.bas.bg/english/CVita/angelov/No104e.htm | title=Prof. Dr. Ivan Angelov: Bulgaria needs a managed floating exchange rate | access-date=2009-01-12}}</ref> The [[ISO 4217|ISO 4217 currency code]] for the new Bulgarian lev is '''BGN'''. The lev is pegged at €1 = 1.95583 leva (previously DEM 1 = BGN 1, continuing the fixed exchange rate from the third lev).

====Coins====
In 1999, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki were introduced.<ref name="Annual1999">National Bank of Bulgaria. Annual Report 1999. Available at: http://www.bnb.bg/bnbweb/groups/public/documents/bnb_publication/p_anualreports_1999_en.pdf</ref> A 1 lev coin replaced the 1 lev banknote in 2002, and a 2 lev coin the 2 lev banknote in 2015.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Coins of the fourth lev (1999–present)<ref name="bnb.bg"/>
|- 
! rowspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value !! rowspan="2"|Equivalent in euros !!colspan="3"| Technical Parameters !! colspan="3" | Description !!colspan="4"| Date of 
|- 
! Diameter !! Mass !! Composition !! Edge !! Obverse !! Reverse !! minting !! Issue !! Withdrawal !! Lapse
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| [[File:Bulgaria 1 Stotinka 2000.jpg|thumb]]
| 1 stotinka
| €0.005
| 16&nbsp;mm
| 1.8g
|rowspan='3'| 1999 - CuAlNi<br>2000 - Steel covered with bronze
|rowspan='3'| Plain
|rowspan='6'| Value, year, twelve stars as [[Flag of Europe|symbol of Europe]].
|rowspan='6'| Country name, [[Madara Rider]]
|rowspan='3'| 1999<br>2000
|rowspan='6'| 5 July 1999<ref name="Annual1999"/>
|rowspan='8' colspan='2'| Current
|- 
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 2 stotinki
| €0.010
| 18&nbsp;mm
| 2.5 g
|- 
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 5 stotinki
| €0.025
| 20&nbsp;mm
| 3.5 g
|- 
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 10 stotinki
| €0.051
| 18.5&nbsp;mm
| 3.0 g
|rowspan='3'| CuNiZn
|rowspan='3'| reeded
|rowspan='3'| 1999
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 20 stotinki
| €0.102
| 20.5&nbsp;mm
| 4.0 g
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 50 stotinki
| €0.255
| 22.5&nbsp;mm
| 5.0 g
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 1 lev
| €0.511
| 24.5&nbsp;mm
| 7.0 g
| Bimetallic: copper-nickel center in brass ring 
| Alternating smooth and reeded segments
|rowspan='2'| Value, year, graphical pattern of two crossing lines.
| Country name, saint [[Ivan Rilski]]
| 2002
| 2 September 2002<ref>National Bank of Bulgaria. Annual Report 2002. Available at: http://www.bnb.bg/bnbweb/groups/public/documents/bnb_publication/p_anualreports_2002_en.pdf</ref>
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#000000"| 
| 2 leva
| €1.022
| 26.5&nbsp;mm
| 9.0 g
| Bimetallic: nickel brass center in copper-nickel ring 
| Segmented reeding
| Country name, [[Paisius of Hilendar]]
| 2015
| 7 December 2015<ref>National Bank of Bulgaria. Press release: Today BNB presented a new circulation coin of 2 levs nominal value, issue 2015. Available at: https://www.bnb.bg/PressOffice/POPressReleases/POPRDate/PR_20151126_2LV_EN</ref>
|-
|colspan="16"|{{Standard coin table notice|standard_scale=Y|BrE=Y}}
|}

=====Commemorative coins=====
{{main|Commemorative coins of Bulgaria}}

In 2004, 2005, and 2007, commemorative circulation issues were struck of the 50 stotinkas coin.<ref name="bnb.bg">{{Cite web |title=(untitled) |url=https://www.bnb.bg/NotesAndCoins/NACCoinsCurrency/index.htm |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=www.bnb.bg}}</ref> In 2018, a commemorative circulation issue of the 2 leva coin was issued. These coins are not found in general circulation.

Many commercial commemorative coins have also been minted.

====Banknotes====
In 1999, banknotes were introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 leva. 100 leva notes were added in 2003. The 1 and 2 lev notes were later replaced by coins of similar value and withdrawn from circulation.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Banknotes of the fourth lev (1999–present)<ref name="bnb.bg"/>
|-
!colspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value !! rowspan="2"| Equivalent in euros !!rowspan="2"| Dimensions !!colspan="3"| Description !!colspan="4"| Date of 
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Watermark !! Printing !! Issue !! Withdrawal !! Lapse
|-
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0114.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0114.htm]
| 1 lev
| €0.511
| 112 × 60&nbsp;mm
| [[Ivan Rilski]]
| [[Rila Monastery]]
|rowspan="2"| Rampant lion
| 1999
|rowspan="6"| 5 July 1999
| 1 January 2016<ref>Bulgarian national bank. Press release. Available at https://www.bnb.bg/PressOffice/POPressReleases/POPRDate/PR_20151212_EN</ref>
|rowspan="2"| Indefinitely
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0115.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0115.htm]
| 2 leva
| €1.022
| 116 × 64&nbsp;mm
| [[Paisiy Hilendarski]]
| [[Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya]]
| 1999<br>2005
| 1 January 2021<ref>Bulgarian national bank. Press release. Available at https://www.bnb.bg/PressOffice/POPressReleases/POPRDate/PR_20201229_EN</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0116.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0116.htm]
| 5 leva
| €2.556
| 121 × 67&nbsp;mm
| [[Ivan Milev]]
| Paintings by Ivan Milev
| Ivan Milev
| 1999<br>2009<br>2020
|rowspan="5" colspan="2"|Current
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0117.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0117.htm]
| 10 leva
| €5.112
| 126 × 70&nbsp;mm
| [[Petar Beron]]
| [[Astronomic]]al instruments
| Petar Beron
| 1999<br>2008<br>2020
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0118.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0118.htm]
| 20 leva
| €10.225
| 131 × 73&nbsp;mm
| [[Stefan Stambolov]]
| [[Orlov most]], [[Lavov most]]
| Stefan Stambolov
| 1999<br>2005<br>2007<br>2020
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0119.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0119.htm]
| 50 leva
| €25.564
| 136 × 76&nbsp;mm
| [[Pencho Slaveykov]]
| Poems by Pencho Slaveykov
| Pencho Slaveykov
| 1999<br>2006<br>2019
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0120.htm]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/BUL/BUL0120.htm]
|  100 leva
| €51.129
| 141 × 79&nbsp;mm
| [[Aleko Konstantinov]]
| Aleko Konstantinov; his work "[[Bay Ganyo]]"
| Aleko Konstantinov
| 2003<br>2018
| 8 December 2003<ref>National Bank of Bulgaria. Annual Report 2003. Available at: http://www.bnb.bg/bnbweb/groups/public/documents/bnb_publication/p_anualreports_2003_en.pdf</ref>
|-
|colspan="12"|{{Standard banknote table notice|standard_scale=Y|BrE=Y}}
|}

====Euro adoption====
{{main|Bulgaria and the euro}}
The euro is set to replace the Bulgarian lev on 1 January 2026. Both physical currencies will circulate in parallel until 31 January 2026, after that date the lev will cease to be legal tender. The [[Bulgarian National Bank]] (BNB) will continue to exchange lev banknotes and coins indefinitely.

{{Exchange Rate|BGN|TRY}}

==See also==
* [[Bulgaria and the euro]]
* [[Commemorative coins of Bulgaria]]
* [[Economy of Bulgaria]]
* [[Medieval Bulgarian coinage]]
* [[Moldovan leu]]
* [[Romanian leu]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}
* {{numis cite SCWC | date=1991}}
* {{numis cite SCWPM | date=1994}}
{{refend}}

==External links ==
{{commons category|Money of Bulgaria}}
* [http://www.bnb.bg/ResearchAndPublications/PubNonPeriodical/PubNPCatalogues/index.htm Bulgarian National Bank: Non-periodical Publications: Catalogues]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161116010953/http://banknoter.com/s/bulgaria Bulgarian Lev: Catalog of Banknotes]
* [http://www.bis-ans-ende-der-welt.net/Bulgarien-B-En.htm Historical and current banknotes of Bulgaria]
* [http://www.bis-ans-ende-der-welt.net/Bulgarien-VR-B-En.htm Historical banknotes of the People's Republic of Bulgaria]

{{Euro topics}}
{{Cent (currency)}}
{{Currencies of Europe}}
{{Bulgaria topics}}
{{Currencies of Former Yugoslavia}}
{{Portal bar|Bulgaria|Europe|Money|Numismatics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulgarian Lev}}
[[Category:Currencies of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Fixed exchange rate]]
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Currencies of Europe]]
[[Category:Cent (currency)]]
[[Category:Currencies pegged to the euro]]