Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As - Page 8 - Bulgaria Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Baldur

2010-06-14 07:53:02

Hi Nia,

niajones wrote:
Can someone tell me what the currency is in Bulgaria. Are they in the euro currency now?

The currency is the Lev (plural Leva) which is linked to the Euro via the old Deutschmark at an official rate of 1.9558 Leva to ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬1 but the rate that you'll receive from banks/bureaux de change/hotels depends on the institution - see links to Bulgarian high street banks that I have posted earlier in this thread.

Bulgaria is unlikely to adopt the Euro before 2014 according to the finance minister's latest estimate - they haven't even been accepted into the ERM II mechanism yet.

Baldur

Baldur

2010-06-19 05:11:45

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

This article in today's Novinite demonstrates one of the many reasons why those of us who are regular visitors to Bulgaria advise against using non-trusted bureaux de change in the country.

Suemackey

2010-06-22 07:10:01

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

is it truethat the Nationwide Flexi card is being withdrawn in september

Baldur

2010-06-22 07:43:35

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Suemackey wrote:
is it truethat the Nationwide Flexi card is being withdrawn in september

Don't know where you heard that - you are possibly confusing the changes to the Cash Card account, which are due to be completed by October, with the Flex Account VISA Debit Card.

Given the amount of notice that Nationwide have given for the change to the Cash Card+, which will not permit overseas withdrawals, they would almost certainly have given Flex a/c Debit Card holders at least as much notice, especially if withdrawal of the card was being proposed.

Suemackey

2010-06-22 12:18:07

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

thanks baldur, it was just a rumour but i think the flexi debt cards are safe

madzikk

2010-06-24 14:27:14

money exchange

I'm going to Sunny Beach next week. Can anyone reccomend where to exchange money there? I'm takin Euros with me as I heard that it's not worth to exchange money in Poland as the rates are not good.

Baldur

2010-06-24 14:36:36

Re: money exchange

Hi madzikk,

See the long 'sticky' post HERE.

Typically, high street banks will offer the best rates of exchange (and safest means of obtaining Leva), e.g.

UBB - ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬1 = 1.95050 Leva
Raiffeisen ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬1 = 1.950 Leva
Alpha Bank ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬1 = 1.950 Leva
Bulbank ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ = 1.94 Leva

luci HT Mod

2010-06-24 17:16:21

Re: money exchange

Thanks Baldur. Post merged.

luci :wave

poolielad

2010-06-30 14:59:27

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Hi, sorry if I have misse it somewhere, but is it better to get my money changed out there (what is the rate at the moment)? or should I get it changed here where I will possibly get 2.25 to the pound??

Tonyt

2010-06-30 17:34:11

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Poolielad, Most definately better rate in Bulgaria, has touched 2.40 today, but is now averaging 2.38, these are the big banks, hotels, I would like to think at about 2.30. Just get enough for the first night, depends where you are going and when, but some hotels have 24 hour exchange desks, also ATM's are now plentiful. Cheers. Tonyt

justjoe

2010-07-01 15:04:32

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Was in SB and St Vlas last week. Around 2.33 to the £ was normal in SB, and in St Vlas we got 2.36. Just done the sums on my Nationwide account and their rate work out at 2.36 one day, and 2.37 a few days later.

Greatlookinguy

2010-07-07 14:05:06

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Hi guys,
Can someone tell me if these banks have offices in Sunny Beach or does have to take a bus to Bourgas to visit them and get the money changed?

UBB
Raiffeisen
Alpha Bank
Bulbank

Also, is it worth going to these banks if the Crown Exchange offers a good rate?

Thank You!

TC,

K

mu1951

2010-07-31 14:30:03

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Hi all, just read an article in the paper re nationwide debit cards,nationwide haveslapped a stealth charge on all customers who use their flex account debit cards on holiday whist abroad.just thought you all might be interested.Happy holidays everyone. muriel.

Suemackey

2010-07-31 21:22:33

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

i have read that also the nationwide flexi debit card will have a charge on it from November

equalised

2010-08-26 11:13:17

Exchange Rate

Just to let you know that I have just returned fronm Sunny Beach and the exchange rate I got using my Flex Account at ATM's ranged from 2.36 to 2.39.

Weather has been fantastic. Unlike today when we landed in pouring rain!!

Dee

Suemackey

2010-08-26 14:03:43

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

thats for the info will come in handy when i go tomorrow

Baldur

2010-09-15 04:10:53

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

There's a clear statement about Nationwide's foreign transaction fees, which will be applicable from 1st November, on their website - under the "Using your card abroad" link.

caslau

2010-10-03 21:41:36

Currency

I have booked up to go to sunny beach next summer, i have a Caxton card a prepaid card which you load up with euros, will this work in an atm in bulgaria and will it convert to levs or will it pay out euros.

Baldur

2010-10-04 02:52:51

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

caslau wrote:
I have booked up to go to sunny beach next summer, i have a Caxton card a prepaid card which you load up with euros, will this work in an atm in bulgaria and will it convert to levs or will it pay out euros.

Your questions are probably best directed to CaxtonFX - see their e-mail address on the linked page.

Their Global Card appears to be designed for use in countries outside the Euro/Dollar zones but the 2.5% fee against the interbank rate would probably mean that you'd get a better deal taking Sterling in cash & exchanging it in a Bulgarian high street bank.

As far as I'm aware, Bulgarian ATMs only issue Leva, as the Euro is not the national currency and is unlikely to be adopted for at least a couple of years.

cornish lad

2010-11-03 16:50:36

Re: Currency/exchange rate/ATM locator info- Q&As

Hi Caslau,
As said by Baldur, your best bet to recieve the best rate for your money is to take sterling with you and change it either in the hotel (if you are staying in one ) or better use the banks. This year my hotel was giving 2.20lev to the £, but in the banks it was 2.36lev to the £. The ATM`S will only issue the lev. Another point to take in consideration is that you ensure that the sterling or euro notes are clean with no writing on them or creased as the banks and shop owners will not accept them.

Roger.

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