The Bulgarian National Bank publishes official guidelines for cash payments with large denominations of euro banknotes. The institution reminds that merchants cannot refuse payment with large banknotes in principle, with exceptions allowed only in specific cases – when the merchant does not have enough funds available for change or when the nominal value of the banknote is clearly disproportionate to the amount due for the purchase.
There are currently two series of euro banknotes in circulation – the first with denominations up to 500 euros and the second up to 200 euros. Both series are officially valid for payments and must be accepted by merchants. The BNB specifies that it is inadmissible to place preliminary signs or to refuse payment with a specific denomination, if the specified exceptions are not present.
The topic of payment rules with large banknotes was also discussed by the Coordination Council of the Euro Mechanism. The experts looked at specific case studies to clarify how the rules will be applied in practice.
“There is a recommendation that confirms the rule, but also allows for exceptions. It introduces the so-called ‘rule of good faith’. This means that when we pay with a 200 euro banknote for coffee, for example, then there is talk of an obvious disproportion and the merchant can refuse this payment,” explained Georgi Chanev, quoted by BNR.
In this way, the BNB aims to protect the rights of consumers, while at the same time enabling merchants to protect themselves in the event of unusual and disproportionate payments.
date:2026-02-13 20:20:00