We still have a drawer full of leva after the euro changeover — where can we exchange them now?

You have not missed the boat — there is no boat to miss. Your leva are convertible at full value indefinitely; only the most convenient options have narrowed. Quick recap of where the timeline stands: shops stopped accepting leva when the dual-circulation period ended in January 2026, and the commercial banks' obligation to exchange free of charge ran for the first six months, ending 30 June 2026. Some banks still exchange leva after that date but may charge a fee — worth a phone call to your own bank, since policies differ and account holders sometimes get it free. The permanent, fee-free answer is the Bulgarian National Bank: the BNB exchanges lev banknotes and coins into euro at the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva per euro, free of charge, with no limit on amount and no deadline — the commitment is indefinite. This is done at the BNB in Sofia and through the cash service company offices in Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Pleven. From Ruse that is a trip, but for 3,000 leva (about 1,534 euro) plus the coin jar it is clearly worth a day out. Bring ID; for larger amounts expect routine source-of-funds questions, which your sum will not trigger any drama over. Coins are exchanged too, so bring the jar. One more option for smaller settlements: Bulgarian Posts offices exchange leva in towns without bank branches, so check whether a post office near you still offers it. Worn or damaged notes are still exchangeable at the BNB under its normal rules. In short: no fees, no deadline, no panic — just choose your trip. More post-changeover practicalities live in /guides/cost-of-living-in-bulgaria.