Sending money across borders within the European Union might seem straightforward—after all, it's a single market, right? But if you're trying to transfer funds from Bulgaria (which uses the Bulgarian Lev, BGN) to Italy (Euro, EUR), you'll quickly discover that reality is more complex.

For international students studying in Italy, or families in Bulgaria supporting their children’s education, choosing the right remittance tool isn’t just a question of convenience—it’s a matter of saving money, ensuring speed, and avoiding hidden costs.

1. Bulgarian Lev and the Euro: Different Currencies, One Region

Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, it hasn't yet adopted the euro. Instead, it uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), which is officially pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 1 EUR ≈ 1.95583 BGN. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll get this rate when converting your money.

Banks and many online platforms apply markup or hidden conversion fees, meaning the real rate you get is often worse than expected.

2. Common Remittance Options: Bank Transfers, Remitly, and Panda Remit

Let’s compare some common tools for personal cross-border remittance:

3. Exchange Controls and Legal Considerations

Even inside the EU, remitting money isn't always as simple as it seems. Countries may impose foreign exchange quotas, source of funds checks, or documentation requirements—especially for personal foreign exchange purchases.

PandaRemit is designed with this in mind. Its mobile App enables users to upload documents (like tuition fee invoices or passport copies), ensuring that compliance checks are fast and seamless.

4. Why PandaRemit Is a Better Choice for EU-based Students

If you’re a student in Italy or someone remitting from Bulgaria, PandaRemit offers distinct advantages:

• Wide international coverage: Supports transfers from 30+ countries into the Eurozone;

• First transaction free: Ideal for trying the platform without extra cost;

• Fully mobile process: Everything—from rate check to ID upload—is done on the app, no branch visits required;

• Fast transfer speed: Some destinations support same-day delivery, helpful for tuition deadlines;

• Transparent exchange rate: You can check the current rate anytime via their official website, no surprises.

5. Final Thoughts

Choosing the right remittance platform is especially important when dealing with educational expenses like tuition and fees. While platforms like Remitly or banks can serve general purposes, PandaRemit’s student-friendly features, low fees, and compliance support make it a standout choice for cross-border educational payments.

Try PandaRemit now with zero fees on your first transfer: Register here