Bulgarian euro coins: how to recognise them and what they are worth (2026)
Updated: 28/09/2026
Quick answer: Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026 as the 21st euro-area country. Its circulation coins are worth face value and are legal tender across the whole euro area. Collector interest comes from this being the first year: uncirculated sets, sealed starter kits and the 2026 “Bulgarian Alphabet” €2 commemorative (1,000,000 coins).
How to recognise a Bulgarian euro coin
| Coin | Design | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| €2 | St Paisius of Hilendar in profile, with quill and book | Edge reads “БОЖЕ ПАЗИ БЪЛГАРИЯ” (“God protect Bulgaria”), written twice: once upright and once inverted. |
| €1 | St Ivan of Rila, full length, holding a cross and scroll | Standing figure in the centre. |
| 1–50 cent | Madara Rider: a horseman spearing a lion (8th-century rock relief) | Cyrillic “БЪЛГАРИЯ” and the year 2026. Not to be confused with Lithuania (knight with sword and shield). |
Not sure where another euro coin comes from? Try our euro coin design identifier.
What is a Bulgarian euro coin worth?
| What you have | Value |
|---|---|
| Loose circulated coin (pocket change) | Face value. They were struck to circulate across a whole country and are not rare. Keep it if you collect by country, but do not expect a premium. |
| 2026 uncirculated 8-coin set (1 cent to €2) | Sold by coin dealers above its €3.88 face value because it is the first year. |
| Sealed starter kit | 42 coins, €10.23 face value, sold in Bulgaria from 1 December 2025 for 20 leva. Sealed kits are a souvenir of the changeover. |
| 2026 “Bulgarian Alphabet” €2 commemorative | 1,000,000 minted. Worth €2 circulated; a small collector premium in official packaging or uncirculated. |
| Minting error (off-centre, double strike, shifted ring) | Can be worth much more. Compare with our guide to euro minting errors before selling. |
Key changeover facts
- Fixed rate: €1 = 1.95583 lev (BGN).
- Dual circulation: lev and euro were both accepted until 31 January 2026; since 1 February 2026 only the euro is legal tender.
- Starter kits: about 1 million for the public (20 leva, 42 coins) and about 20,000 for businesses (200 leva).
- Minted by: the Mint of Bulgaria (Mint of Bulgaria EAD).
FAQ
Are Bulgarian euro coins valid in other countries?
Yes. Bulgarian euro coins are legal tender at face value throughout the euro area.
How much is the Bulgarian 2 euro coin worth?
A circulated coin is worth €2. The 2026 “Bulgarian Alphabet” commemorative (1,000,000 minted) and uncirculated or packaged coins can carry a small collector premium.
Who is on the Bulgarian 1 euro coin?
St Ivan of Rila, patron saint of Bulgaria, shown full length with a cross and a scroll.
What is the horseman on Bulgarian euro cent coins?
The Madara Rider, an 8th-century rock relief of a horseman spearing a lion. It appears on every coin from 1 to 50 cent.