Bulgaria’s switch to the euro on January 1, 2026 will require a large-scale technical adjustment of banking systems, leading to temporary disruptions in card payments, ATM services and digital banking around the turn of the year, according to information published by commercial banks and summarized by BTA. Customers will not need to take any special steps in advance, as account balances will be automatically converted from leva to euros, while IBAN numbers will remain unchanged.

The most significant nationwide interruption is expected between 9:00 p.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1. During this period, card payments at POS terminals and online, as well as cash withdrawals from ATMs, will generally be unavailable across the banking sector. Banks are advising customers to keep cash on hand for the New Year hours. Interbank transfers and payments to the state budget will be processed only until midday on December 30. Throughout January, Bulgaria will operate under a dual circulation regime, allowing payments in both leva and euros.

DSK Bank announced that card payments and ATM withdrawals will be suspended from 21:00 on December 31 until 01:00 on January 1, 2026. Its electronic channels, including mobile and online banking, will stop operating from 16:00 on December 31 and will be gradually restored between January 1 and January 2. Payments for utilities, local taxes and fees will be unavailable after 17:30 on December 29 and will resume in stages from January 2, following confirmation of currency conversion by service providers.

United Bulgarian Bank expects possible short disruptions to card payments, online purchases and ATM operations between 21:00 on December 31 and 01:00 on January 1. Online and mobile banking will be unavailable after 20:30 on December 30, with services gradually resuming from 05:00 on January 1, 2026.

UniCredit Bulbank also plans for temporary interruptions to cards, ATMs and POS terminals during the same New Year time window. Transfers to other banks will be accepted until 14:00 on December 30, and internal transfers until 19:00, with budget payments cut off earlier at 14:00. Deposits in leva at ATMs will be possible until 10:00 on December 30, while from January 4, 2026 deposits will be accepted only in euros.

Postbank will begin its main card system adjustment at 22:30 on December 31, with services restored shortly after 01:00 on January 1, when card payments will be processed solely in euros. ATMs will be loaded with both currencies on December 30, but from the first hour of 2026 will dispense and accept only euros. Digital banking platforms are scheduled to be fully operational again by noon on January 2. Payments of local taxes and fees may be temporarily unavailable between December 29 and January 5.

First Investment Bank will suspend card payments, ATMs and POS devices from 22:00 on December 31 until 01:00 on January 1. Mobile and web banking via My Fibank will be unavailable during the same period, with a gradual restoration of services after 01:00 on New Year’s Day.