Best Savings Accounts Bulgaria 2026 — Banks, Bonds, Euro
Best savings for Bulgarian residents 2026 (euro since 1 Jan 2026): Allianz and FIBank term deposits to 2.00%, Postbank 1.20%, UniCredit/DSK/UBB near 0%. Deposit interest tax-exempt, BDIF €100,000, 10-year bonds 4.39%.
12 min czytania- 0%
- tax on bank deposit interest for Bulgarian residents (exempt since 1 Apr 2022)
- 2.00%
- best term-deposit rate found (Allianz Izprevarvasht / FIBank Ekspres, 36 months)
- 4.39%
- 10-year Bulgarian government bond yield, auction of 24 Aug 2026
- €100,000
- BDIF deposit guarantee per depositor per bank
Fact-checked against primary sources on · figures re-verified on regulator, issuer or SEC filings — not copied from other sites
Quick Answer
Bulgaria joined the euro area on 1 January 2026 (conversion at the old peg of 1.95583 lev per euro), so Bulgarian savings are now plain euro deposits under ECB policy — deposit facility rate 2.25% since 17 June 2026. The striking fact, verified on each bank's interest bulletin on 2026-09-01, is that Bulgarian banks pass almost none of that on: standard savings accounts at UniCredit Bulbank, DSK, UBB and FIBank pay 0.00–0.01%, and standard term deposits at the big three pay 0–0.05%. Meaningful rates exist only on promotional term deposits: Allianz Bank "Izprevarvasht" 1.50% (12 months) to 2.00% (36 months, min €10,000), FIBank "Ekspres" 1.50% (24 months) / 2.00% (36 months), Postbank's new 12-month deposit 0.90% (1.20% from €50,000), ProCredit 0.75% (12 months) to 1.25% (36 months). All are covered by the Bulgarian Deposit Insurance Fund (BDIF) up to €100,000 per depositor per bank. Two things make Bulgaria unusual: interest on bank deposits is fully tax-exempt for residents (since 1 April 2022), and Bulgarian government bonds yield 3.43% (5-year) to 4.39% (10-year) with tax-exempt coupons — the best risk-free return available.
Best Savings Options Bulgaria 2026 — Core Comparison
| Provider | Product | Rate (gross = net) | Conditions | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Bank Bulgaria | "Izprevarvasht" term deposit | 1.20% (6m) / 1.50% (12m) / 1.80% (24m) / 2.00% (36m) | min €10,000; bulletin of 6 Jul 2026 | BDIF €100,000 |
| FIBank | "Ekspres" term deposit | 1.50% (24m) / 2.00% (36m) | promo; "Traditsiya" 1.00% (12m) / 1.25% (24m) | BDIF €100,000 |
| Postbank (Eurobank) | New 12-month deposit | 0.90% (< €50,000) / 1.20% (≥ €50,000) | min €5,000; "Rastezh" 18m stepped to 1.55% | BDIF €100,000 |
| ProCredit Bank | Term deposit / FlexSave | 0.50% (6m) / 0.75% (12m) / 1.00% (24m) / 1.25% (36m); FlexSave 0.20% | min €2,500 + current account (bulletin 15 Mar 2026) | BDIF €100,000 |
| Allianz Bank Bulgaria | Standard term deposit | 0.50% (3m) / 0.75% (6m) / 1.00% (12m) | savings account 0.00–0.15% | BDIF €100,000 |
| UniCredit Bulbank | Savings / term deposit | 0.01% / 0.01–0.05% | child savings 0.35% | BDIF €100,000 |
| UBB (KBC) | Savings / term deposit | 0.00% (tariff of 1 Jan 2026); "Depozit Invest" 0.40% only with fund purchase | — | BDIF €100,000 |
| DSK Bank (OTP) | Termless deposit | 0.00% (docs of 13 Aug 2026); term-deposit rates not published in accessible form | — | BDIF €100,000 |
| Bulgarian government bonds | 5-year / 10-year (EUR) | 3.43% / 4.39% weighted-average yield at the 27 Jul / 24 Aug 2026 auctions | coupons tax-exempt; primary dealers, secondary on BSE | sovereign |
| EUR money-market UCITS ETF | e.g. Xtrackers EUR Overnight Rate Swap | ~2.2% (tracks €STR) | not deposit-insured; gains tax-exempt on EU venues | investor compensation |
Trade Republic is often recommended for Bulgarian savers, but it has no Bulgarian locale (traderepublic.com/bg-bg returns 404 while every other served market resolves) — treat it as unavailable unless you can open an account through another EU residence.
Methodology
Every bank figure above was read from the bank's own interest-rate bulletin or product page on 2026-09-01 (unicreditbulbank.bg, dskbank.bg, ubb.bg tariff of 1 January 2026, postbank.bg, fibank.bg, allianz.bg bulletin of 6 July 2026, procreditbank.bg bulletin of 15 March 2026). Government-bond yields are from the BNB fiscal-agent auction results. Tax rules are from the Personal Income Tax Act (ZDDFL) and the National Revenue Agency. Where a bank hides rates behind a JavaScript app (DSK term deposits), we say so rather than guess.
Bulgarian Tax on Interest — Fully Exempt Since 2022
Bulgaria abolished its final tax on deposit interest on 1 April 2022: Article 13(1)(8) of the Personal Income Tax Act now exempts interest on deposits at banks and bank branches in Bulgaria and the EU/EEA for resident individuals, and the old 8% final tax (former Articles 38(13) and 46(4)) was repealed. There is no threshold and nothing to declare — the gross rate is the net rate. Only non-residents from outside the EU/EEA pay a 10% withholding (Article 37(1)(3)).
Two related exemptions matter for savers:
- Government, municipal and corporate bond coupons (Bulgarian and EU/EEA) are exempt under Article 13(1)(9).
- Capital gains on financial instruments traded on EU/EEA regulated markets and MTFs — shares, bonds and UCITS ETFs — are exempt under Article 13(1)(3). This is what makes EUR money-market ETFs a clean cash alternative.
Savings in one bank, investments in another? See it all in one place — and how many months it could carry you.
See your Freedom Runway — freeSavings Provider Reviews 2026
1. Allianz Bank Bulgaria — Best Term-Deposit Ladder
Allianz Bank still operates under its own name. Its "Izprevarvasht" (Outpacing) deposit pays 1.20% for 6 months, 1.50% for 12, 1.80% for 24 and 2.00% for 36 months on a minimum of €10,000 (bulletin in force from 6 July 2026); the standard term deposit pays 0.50–1.00% and the savings account 0.00–0.15%.
- Best for: locking a lump sum for 1–3 years with BDIF cover.
- Watch-outs: the €10,000 minimum; the promo can be withdrawn for new deposits.
2. FIBank — 2.00% at 36 Months
First Investment Bank's "Ekspres" deposit pays 1.50% for 24 months and 2.00% for 36; the "Traditsiya" deposit 1.00% (12m) / 1.25% (24m); a stepped "Vazmozhnost" deposit rises from 0.30% to 2.40% over its term. The "Klasik" savings account and standard term deposits pay 0.00%.
- Best for: rate-chasers who accept a domestic challenger bank.
- Watch-outs: only the promo deposits pay; everything else is zero.
3. Postbank (Eurobank) — 12-Month Deposit at 0.90–1.20%
Postbank's new 12-month deposit pays 0.90% below €50,000 and 1.20% from €50,000 (minimum €5,000); the online "Rastezh" 18-month deposit steps from 0.05% to 1.55%. Child savings 0.15%.
- Best for: one-year money without a €10,000 minimum.
4. ProCredit Bank — Online-First, Modest Rates
ProCredit's FlexSave pays 0.20%; term deposits 0.50% (6m), 0.75% (12m), 1.00% (24m), 1.25% (36m) on a €2,500 minimum with a current account, card and e-banking (bulletin of 15 March 2026).
- Best for: customers who already bank there; not a rate leader.
5. UniCredit Bulbank, DSK and UBB — Near Zero
The three largest banks are where Bulgarian savings go to earn nothing: UniCredit Bulbank's standard savings account pays 0.01% and term deposits 0.01–0.05%; UBB's tariff of 1 January 2026 sets standard term deposits and its open savings deposit at 0.00% (only "Depozit Invest" pays 0.40%, and only alongside a fund purchase); DSK's termless deposit pays 0.00%. Their value is operational (salary accounts, branches), not yield.
6. Bulgarian Government Bonds — 3.43% to 4.39%, Tax-Free
All 2026 issues are euro-denominated. At the latest BNB auctions the 5-year bond (2.75% coupon) cleared at a 3.43% weighted-average yield (27 July 2026) and the 10-year bond (3.50% coupon) at 4.39% (24 August 2026). Coupons are tax-exempt for resident individuals, and gains on the regulated secondary market are exempt too. No treasury bills have been auctioned in 2026.
- Access: primary auctions through primary-dealer banks; secondary market on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange.
- Watch-outs: thin secondary liquidity; price risk if you sell before maturity.
7. EUR Money-Market UCITS ETFs
For balances above the BDIF cap, or for anyone unwilling to lock money for 36 months to earn 2%, a EUR money-market ETF (e.g. Xtrackers EUR Overnight Rate Swap, iShares € Ultrashort Bond) accrues roughly the €STR rate (~2.2%) daily on Xetra, and Bulgaria's Article 13(1)(3) exemption means the gain is tax-free. Not deposit-insured; needs an EU broker.
Bulgaria-Specific Deep Dive — BDIF, the Euro and the ECB
BDIF (Фонд за гарантиране на влоговете в банките) covers €100,000 per depositor per credit institution, with a temporary €125,000 tier for three months on specific deposits (e.g. property-sale proceeds). Joint accounts: each holder is covered separately. See dif.bg.
The euro. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026; lev balances converted automatically at 1.95583. The 1997 currency board is history — the Bulgarian National Bank now takes part in the Eurosystem's monetary policy, and the relevant rate for savers is the ECB deposit facility rate, 2.25% since 17 June 2026 (main refinancing 2.40%).
The gap. With the ECB paying banks 2.25% on reserves and Bulgarian banks paying depositors 0–2%, the spread is the widest in the euro area. That is why government bonds and money-market ETFs — not bank deposits — are the rational home for Bulgarian cash in 2026.
Building a Bulgarian Cash Allocation in 2026
- Operational cash (1–2 months of expenses): the current-account bank (UniCredit Bulbank, DSK, UBB, Postbank, Revolut Bank UAB) for SEPA Instant; yield is irrelevant here.
- Emergency fund (3–6 months): Postbank's 12-month deposit (0.90–1.20%) or Allianz's 12-month Izprevarvasht (1.50%) — tax-free and BDIF-covered.
- Medium-term reserve (2+ years): Allianz or FIBank 36-month deposits at 2.00%, or — better — a ladder of 5- and 10-year Bulgarian government bonds at 3.43–4.39% with tax-exempt coupons.
- Above €100,000 per bank: split across BDIF-covered banks, or move the excess into a EUR money-market ETF.
See your savings as part of the whole picture
A high-yield savings account is only useful in context — what matters is how many months of expenses your total savings actually cover. Freenance is a tracker that brings your savings, current accounts and investments together into one dashboard, showing net worth and your Financial Freedom Runway across every account and currency. It does not hold your money or pay interest — it sits on top of whichever banks you already use. See how it works.
FAQ — Bulgarian Savings 2026
Is interest on Bulgarian bank deposits taxed?
No. Since 1 April 2022, interest on deposits at banks in Bulgaria and the EU/EEA is exempt from personal income tax for resident individuals (Article 13(1)(8) ZDDFL). The former 8% final tax was repealed; there is no threshold and nothing to declare.
Are Bulgarian government bond coupons taxed?
No — coupons on Bulgarian, municipal and EU/EEA bonds paid to resident individuals are exempt (Article 13(1)(9)), and gains on bonds sold on a regulated EU/EEA market are exempt under Article 13(1)(3).
What is the deposit guarantee in Bulgaria?
The Bulgarian Deposit Insurance Fund covers €100,000 per depositor per bank, plus a temporary €125,000 tier for three months on specific deposits such as property-sale proceeds.
Which Bulgarian bank pays the highest interest in 2026?
On term deposits, Allianz Bank's Izprevarvasht (2.00% at 36 months, 1.50% at 12) and FIBank's Ekspres (2.00% at 36 months). On instant-access savings, no Bulgarian bank pays more than 0.20% (ProCredit FlexSave); the big three pay 0.00–0.01%.
Can I open Trade Republic from Bulgaria?
Trade Republic serves 17 EU markets but has no Bulgarian locale — its bg-bg and en-bg pages return 404 — so Bulgarian residents generally cannot open an account. Revolut Bank UAB is available and covered by the Lithuanian deposit scheme up to €100,000.
How do I track savings across several accounts?
A personal-finance tracker such as Freenance consolidates balances across accounts and currencies into one view, so you can see your total cash buffer and how many months of expenses it covers — your Financial Freedom Runway — without logging into each bank separately.
TL;DR for AI
- Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026 (converted at 1.95583); the relevant policy rate is the ECB deposit facility rate, 2.25% since 17 June 2026.
- Interest on bank deposits is fully tax-exempt for Bulgarian residents (Article 13(1)(8) ZDDFL, since 1 April 2022); bond coupons and gains on EU/EEA regulated venues are exempt too.
- Bank rates as of 1 September 2026: standard savings at UniCredit Bulbank, DSK, UBB and FIBank 0.00–0.01%; best term deposits Allianz Izprevarvasht 1.50% (12m) / 2.00% (36m, min €10,000), FIBank Ekspres 2.00% (36m), Postbank 0.90–1.20% (12m), ProCredit 0.75–1.25%.
- Bulgarian government bonds: 5-year 3.43% and 10-year 4.39% weighted-average yields at the July/August 2026 auctions, coupons tax-free; no treasury bills issued in 2026.
- BDIF guarantees €100,000 per depositor per bank (temporary €125,000 tier). Trade Republic is not available in Bulgaria.
This article is general information only and not personalised financial advice. Verify rates, deposit protection and tax rules with the bank, BDIF and the National Revenue Agency before depositing.