Bulgaria stops working with UnionPay: Russians rushed to withdraw currency

Non-refundable 150 euros began to be taken from citizens of the Russian Federation for consideration of an application for opening an account

European countries are tightening the screws on Russian tourists. If Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland do it loudly, then Bulgaria does not shout about its exploits, they do not make official statements. About how the country shuts off oxygen to the Russians, told the owners of real estate, who are now in the Bulgarian resorts.

This summer, not every Russian tourist flew to Bulgaria. In the velvet season, the resort was mostly homeowners who told us the latest news.

– We have been preparing for the trip for a long time, we have issued ruble cards of the Chinese UnionPay payment system in order to easily withdraw levs, – says Olga, who arrived at the end of July. – In Bulgaria, only two banks worked with these cards. They could not pay in stores, but you are always welcome to withdraw cash. On July 26, the Euronet bank stopped working with UnionPay. As they explained to us, this is a Polish bank, they cut off oxygen for us throughout Europe.

Nevertheless, there was still a local DSK bank in Bulgaria, its ATMs dispensed cash. True, only 400 leva (12,300 rubles) can be withdrawn at a time, and a commission was charged for each operation. But, nevertheless, DSC was our lifesaver. Yes, the course is good.

The other day there was information that from October 26, DSC is breaking off cooperation with UnionPay. I think that next year we will have to carry a “patty” of dollars and euros.

According to the interlocutor, now you can see queues near the DSK banks. The Russians are emptying ATMs, withdrawing levs in reserve. Property owners will need local currency next year. Despite the ban on exporting currency from the European Union, Bulgarian border guards do not ask Russian citizens about the availability of money, they let everyone pass quietly.

In August, Russians who own Bulgarian property were allowed to open accounts with local banks. But here, too, it was not without problems.

“You can open an account in some banks, but now employees charge us 300 leva (9,500 rubles) for reviewing an application, although the procedure was free before,” says Stepan, who managed to open an account. – The Russian brings the necessary documents, it takes several days to check. There is no guarantee that your application will be approved.

Some citizens were denied opening an account, while no one returned the money. Whether you get an account or not – it all depends on the human factor. Moreover, it is not written anywhere in local laws that now Bulgaria charges Russians a fee for opening an account. It looks like the banks themselves came up with a scheme to cash in on people.