Taxi passengers in Bulgaria heading out on New Year’s Eve are being advised to prepare for significant changes in how they pay for their rides. After 9:00 p.m., card payments will no longer be accepted, meaning all taxi fares must be settled in cash.
The restriction affects both traditional street taxis and app-based services that usually rely on bank cards. Customers are therefore encouraged to carry sufficient Bulgarian leva or euros to avoid being stranded during one of the busiest nights of the year.
The payment changes come as Bulgaria prepares for a key monetary transition at midnight. From 0:00 a.m. on January 1, taxi meters will begin switching from displaying fares in leva to displaying them in euros, reflecting the country’s move toward the common European currency.
BNT reporter Teodora Georgieva warned that this transition could lead to confusion, particularly for passengers unfamiliar with how taxi meters operate. While newer devices will switch currencies automatically, older meters require manual adjustments.
This creates a risk that some displays may still show prices in leva, even though the actual calculation should be in euros. Passengers may assume they are being charged in the old currency, only to discover discrepancies when paying.
Krasimir Tsvetkov, chairman of the National Taxi Union, explained that all newly installed meters are programmed to change settings precisely at midnight. According to him, the conversion will be seamless for taxis equipped with updated technology.
“At 0 o’clock, the device will switch automatically,” Tsvetkov said. “The price per kilometer will no longer be 1.46 leva (€0.75), but 0.75 euros. The initial fee will also change from 2.94 leva to 1.50 euros.”
However, the situation is more complicated for vehicles using older equipment. These meters cannot update automatically due to delayed software upgrades and hardware limitations, creating uneven conditions across the taxi fleet.
“This is a manual refinement of the device,” Tsvetkov explained. “It requires replacing the processor, and these processors arrived at service stations in limited numbers only four days ago.”
As a result, not all taxis will be fully converted by midnight. Some drivers may still be operating meters that display leva values, even though fares are legally calculated in euros after the New Year begins.
To avoid misunderstandings or disputes, passengers are being urged to carefully check their receipts at the end of each ride. Receipts are required to display amounts in both leva and euros, offering a clear reference point.
“In absolutely all cases, customers should take their receipt and look at how much the exchange rate costs them in euros,” Tsvetkov advised. “This is the safest way to avoid problems.”
Another concern for passengers is receiving change after paying in cash. While some banks have tested euro cash distribution, most taxi drivers are expected to return change in leva during the transition period.
According to the National Taxi Union, this practice is fully legal. The law allows drivers to give change in leva if they do not have sufficient euros available, ensuring compliance even during mixed-currency operations.
Taxi drivers, meanwhile, face a demanding night. They will be required to handle two currencies at once, apply the correct exchange rates, and explain fare calculations to passengers amid celebrations and heavy demand.
Authorities and industry representatives alike are urging calm and cooperation. With proper preparation, clear receipts, and attention to displayed prices, passengers can avoid confusion and start the New Year on the right note.