NOTICE on the Conversion to the Euro and the Provision of Related Information to Consumers of Insurance Services

The “Date of Introduction of the Euro” in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be the date established in the Council of the European Union’s Decision on the adoption of the euro by the Republic of Bulgaria, adopted pursuant to Article 140(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter “the Euro Adoption Decision”), and the Council Regulation adopted pursuant to Article 140(3) of the same Treaty. As of this date, the euro shall become the official currency and legal tender of the Republic of Bulgaria.

To support insurance service users and ensure a smooth, transparent, and comprehensible transition to the euro, this Notice provides information on the rules that insurers will follow when converting monetary values from Bulgarian leva to euro in documents provided to consumers.


1. Conversion

Upon the euro becoming the official currency of the Republic of Bulgaria, insurers will convert all monetary values expressed in Bulgarian leva—including insurance premiums and other related amounts—into euro. This process is referred to as the conversion.

Insurers shall apply the official conversion rate from the lev to the euro as set out in the Euro Adoption Decision. The amount in leva shall be divided by the full six-digit numerical value of the official rate. The resulting amount shall then be rounded to two decimal places using the following rules:

  • If the third digit after the decimal point is less than 5, the second decimal remains unchanged;
  • If the third digit is 5 or more, the second decimal is increased by one.

Importantly, the conversion of monetary values from leva to euro must not result in consumers being placed at a financial disadvantage compared to a situation where the euro had not been introduced. This means the conversion itself shall not lead to any increase in the prices of insurance services.

Consumers who have or had an insurance relationship with a given insurer on the Date of Introduction of the Euro are entitled to request, within one year of that date, information on the monetary values of their rights and/or obligations in leva. Insurers must provide this information free of charge within 7 days of receiving the request.


2. Dual Display of Prices in Leva and Euro

The dual price display period beginя on 8 August 2025 and endя on 8 August 2026. During this period insurers shall apply dual price display—showing amounts in both euro and leva.

During this period, insurers are required to display the following in both currencies:

  • The final total amount payable by the policyholder under the insurance contract;
  • Any installment amounts due under the contract.

If insurers apply tariffs for services other than the conclusion of insurance contracts, they must also display the total price of these services in both currencies during the dual display period. This information must be available:

  • In insurers’ offices and on their websites;
  • Upon request, provided free of charge on paper or other durable medium.

Dual display is mandatory only for price-related information intended for and provided to consumers.

It does not apply to taxes, fees, contributions to the Guarantee Fund, or other monetary amounts that:

  • Are distinct from the price of the insurance service; and
  • Are communicated to the consumer before and/or upon conclusion of the contract, or during claims handling and compensation.

Whenever dual display is applied, the amounts in euro and leva must be presented:

  • In close proximity to each other;
  • Clearly, legibly, unambiguously, and in an easily understandable manner;
  • In the same font size;
  • Accompanied by the respective currency name, symbol, or abbreviation.

During the dual display period, the total amount due must also appear in both currencies on receipts or other payment documents, alongside the official exchange rate.

In audio or video advertisements for insurance services during the dual display period:

  • Before the euro’s introduction, prices may be stated orally in leva only;
  • After the euro’s introduction, prices may be stated orally in euro only.

Note: Conversion and dual display obligations do not apply to insurance products developed and offered directly in euro or in a third currency.


3. Dual (Simultaneous) Circulation of Leva and Euro

For a one-month period following the euro’s introduction, both leva and euro banknotes and coins will be legal tender in the Republic of Bulgaria. This is known as the dual circulation period.

During this time:

  • If the consumer pays in leva or euro, the insurer must return any change entirely in euro.
  • If the insurer does not have sufficient euro available, the change may be returned entirely in leva.
  • Insurers may refuse to accept more than 50 coins in leva (including stotinki) in a single payment.

If a consumer cancels an insurance contract during this period (in accordance with applicable legal rights) and is entitled to a refund:

  • The refund must be made in euro.
  • If paid in cash and the insurer lacks sufficient euro, the refund may be made in leva.

4. Legal Basis and Sector-wide Application

The rules set out in this Notice are based on the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, have been coordinated with the Financial Supervision Commission, and have been adopted by the Association of Bulgarian Insurers (ABI) for uniform application by all its members.


List of Participating Insurance Companies:

  • Allianz Bulgaria JSC
  • Allianz Bulgaria Life JSC
  • Armeec JSC
  • Asset Insurance JSC
  • Bulgarian Export Insurance Agency PLC
  • Bulstrad Life Vienna Insurance Group PLC
  • Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Group PLC
  • Bul Ins JSC
  • Bulgaria Insurance JSC
  • Grawe Bulgaria Life Insurance PLC
  • Groupama Life Insurance PLC
  • Groupama Insurance PLC
  • Generali Insurance JSC
  • GP Reinsurance PLC
  • DZI – General Insurance PLC
  • DZI – Life Insurance PLC
  • Euroins JSC
  • Euroins Life PLC
  • Phoenix Reinsurance JSC
  • Energia JSC
  • Life Insurance Institute JSC
  • Colonnade Insurance S.A., Bulgaria Branch
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