Developers in Bulgaria must prepare for the upcoming App Store euro switch. (Illustrative AI-generated image).
- Update your bank currency in App Store Connect by December 1, 2025, to avoid payment disruptions.
- Bulgaria officially adopts the euro on January 1, 2026, changing all App Store transactions to euros.
- Apple will automatically convert prices and ensure auto-renewing subscriptions continue without interruption.
- Developers must display prices in both Bulgarian lev and euros within their apps until August 8, 2026.
- Financial reports will reflect transactions in euros from January 1, 2026, onwards.
- If your bank currency is not BGN, it won’t change automatically, but proceeds from Bulgarian sales will be in euros.
If you sell apps or subscriptions on the Bulgaria App Store, you have until December 1, 2025, to update your bank currency settings or risk payment disruptions. Bulgaria is switching to the euro on January 1, 2026, a change that affects every app developer doing business in the country. Apple has outlined a clear timeline for this transition, and it’s crucial to act promptly.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps, including bank settings, pricing updates, subscription rules, and the dual-display requirement that extends into 2026. We’ll also explain why Bulgaria is making this change and what it means for your customers.
December 1, 2025: Update Your Bank Currency to Avoid Issues
The first critical deadline is December 1, 2025. Make sure to mark this date.
If your current bank currency in App Store Connect is set to the Bulgarian lev (BGN), Apple will automatically switch it to euros (EUR) on this date. If BGN is your current setting, you do not need to take any action; the change will occur automatically.
However, if you use a different currency for your bank account, such as US dollars or British pounds, no changes will be made to your settings. You will continue to be paid in your chosen currency, as Apple will not automatically convert your bank setting.
The key message is simple: verify your bank currency in App Store Connect before December 1. If you wish to switch to euros, you can do so now. If you prefer to maintain your current currency, no action is required.
This task should take only a few minutes in App Store Connect and can prevent significant confusion later.
The official conversion rate is fixed. The Council of the European Union set it on July 8, 2025, at 1 euro = 1.95583 Bulgarian lev. This rate is permanent and will be used for all conversions related to the currency switch.
January 1, 2026: App Store Purchases and Proceeds Shift to Euros
January 1, 2026, marks the official adoption of the euro as Bulgaria’s national currency, replacing the lev.
For the App Store, this transition brings two immediate changes:
- Purchases and Subscriptions: All transactions on the Bulgaria storefront will be conducted in euros, not Bulgarian lev. This includes app purchases, subscriptions, and in-app purchases made by Bulgarian customers.
- Developer Proceeds: Your earnings from these sales will also be in euros. If your bank currency is set to euros, funds will be deposited directly. If you use another currency, Apple will convert the euro proceeds at standard exchange rates before depositing them.
This change impacts every app, subscription, and in-app purchase sold in Bulgaria. The primary adjustment will be to your pricing.
App Pricing Conversion to Euros
Apple will convert your app prices to euros in two ways, depending on your app’s settings:
Auto-renewing subscriptions, manually priced apps, and apps with Bulgaria as the base storefront:
For these categories, Apple will update your Bulgaria storefront prices using the official conversion rate (1.95583 BGN to 1 EUR). The converted price will then be rounded down to the nearest supported euro price point. This rounding down is designed to protect customers from price increases due to conversion fluctuations.
For example, if your subscription was 10 lev (approximately 5.11 EUR), and the nearest supported euro price point below that is 4.99 EUR, your price will become 4.99 EUR. This benefits the customer with a slight price reduction.
Important Note: If Bulgaria is your base storefront, Apple may adjust pricing in other countries to maintain equalization. Monitor pricing in other storefronts after January 1 for potential automatic adjustments.
Other apps and in-app purchases:
For other app types, the conversion follows Apple’s standard equalization process for euro markets, including VAT. Prices will be converted using Apple’s standard market-based pricing model.
It is crucial to review your pricing now. Be aware that Apple will implement changes on January 1, and you can manually adjust prices after the conversion if necessary.
Subscription Continuity and Customer Communication
Auto-renewing subscriptions for customers in Bulgaria will continue without interruption. Apple will automatically update subscription prices to euros on January 1, 2026.
Customers will receive an email from Apple explaining the currency change, the new euro price, and the effective date. No action is required from subscribers.
This ensures zero disruption to your recurring revenue from Bulgarian subscribers. While the exact amount might slightly change due to rounding, the revenue stream remains active.
The automatic update applies to all auto-renewing subscriptions, regardless of the billing cycle.
Dual-Pricing Rule: Displaying Lev and Euro Until August 2026
Bulgarian law mandates a transitional period where prices must be displayed in both Bulgarian lev and euros. This dual-pricing rule applies to all in-app purchases and subscriptions sold through the Bulgaria App Store and is in effect until August 8, 2026.
If you manage pricing displays within your app, you must show both the lev and euro prices. For instance, a price of 5.00 BGN should also display its euro equivalent, such as 2.56 EUR.
Apple handles the dual display for its system-level purchase screens. However, if your app features custom storefronts or subscription management screens, you are responsible for implementing this dual-pricing display.
Identify all price displays within your app for Bulgarian users and add the euro price alongside the lev price. Use a clear format like “5.00 BGN / 2.56 EUR”.
Compliance with this dual-pricing rule is a legal requirement and a way to ensure transparency with your customers during the transition.
Impact on Financial Reports
Starting January 1, 2026, your App Store Sales and Trends and monthly financial reports will show transactions in euros for sales occurring on or after that date. Earlier sales will remain in Bulgarian lev.
Historical reports spanning the transition date will show a mix of currencies. Ensure your accounting team is prepared for this split.
For tax purposes, maintain clear records of the currency for each transaction. The fixed conversion rate simplifies reconciliation.
If you use third-party reporting tools, check with your provider for any necessary configuration updates to handle euro-denominated sales.
For developers paid in a currency other than euros, Apple will convert euro proceeds at its standard exchange rates before payment. Your reports will show original euro amounts, but your deposit will reflect the conversion to your chosen currency.
Handling Different Bank Currencies
If your bank currency in App Store Connect is not Bulgarian lev, the process is simpler.
Your bank currency will not change automatically. Apple will not switch you to euros unless you request it. You will continue to be paid in your selected currency.
The main difference is that proceeds from Bulgarian sales will be calculated in euros and then converted to your bank currency at Apple’s standard exchange rates, similar to other eurozone countries.
You can switch your bank currency to euros anytime in App Store Connect, but it is not mandatory.
Consider setting up a separate euro account if you receive multiple currencies to simplify bookkeeping, though this is a business decision, not an Apple requirement.
If you currently receive payments in Bulgarian lev, you must switch before January 1, 2026, as the lev will cease to exist. Apple will automatically convert your bank currency to euros on December 1, 2025, if lev is set. Change to your desired currency before that date if it’s not euros.
Why Bulgaria is Adopting the Euro and Consumer Impact
As an EU member since 2007, Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro is a long-standing national goal aimed at economic stability and closer European integration. The fixed conversion rate of 1.95583 BGN to 1 EUR was set by the Council of the European Union on July 8, 2025.
While the switch is intended to bring benefits, some Bulgarian consumers fear potential price increases. Historical examples from other countries show that some businesses have used euro adoption to round up prices, leading to noticeable increases over time.
This consumer sensitivity to price changes is important for developers to consider. Even though Apple’s rounding-down approach may lower some prices, clear communication with users about any price adjustments can help manage expectations.
Bulgarian businesses are preparing for the transition, with some anticipating easier trade with EU countries and others concerned about administrative burdens. For consumers, the dual-pricing rule is a protective measure, fostering trust by allowing them to compare prices during the transition period. Complying with this rule demonstrates transparency to your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main deadline for developers regarding the Bulgaria App Store euro switch?
The critical deadline for developers is December 1, 2025. By this date, you must ensure your bank currency settings in App Store Connect are updated to avoid potential payment disruptions.
When does Bulgaria officially switch to the euro?
Bulgaria officially adopts the euro as its national currency on January 1, 2026. From this date, all transactions on the Bulgaria App Store will be conducted in euros.
How will my app prices be converted to euros?
Apple will automatically convert prices for auto-renewing subscriptions, manually priced apps, and apps with Bulgaria as the base storefront using the official rate, rounding down to the nearest supported euro price point. Other apps will follow Apple's standard market-based pricing model.
Will my auto-renewing subscriptions in Bulgaria be interrupted?
No, your auto-renewing subscriptions will not be interrupted. Apple will automatically update subscription prices to euros on January 1, 2026, and customers will be notified via email.
What is the dual-pricing rule for the Bulgaria App Store?
Bulgarian law requires that prices for in-app purchases and subscriptions be displayed in both Bulgarian lev and euros within your app until August 8, 2026. This ensures transparency for consumers during the transition period.
What happens if my bank account is not set to Bulgarian lev?
If your bank currency is set to something other than BGN (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP), Apple will not automatically change it. You will continue to be paid in your chosen currency, though proceeds from Bulgarian sales will be calculated in euros first and then converted.
How will financial reports change after the euro switch?
Starting January 1, 2026, your App Store financial reports will show transactions in euros for sales made on or after that date. Sales prior to January 1, 2026, will remain in Bulgarian lev.
