Best Bulgaria SIM Cards for Tourists: 2024 Detailed Guide [+Internet & WiFi]

Latest update: June 2024

Bulgaria SIM cards are a must-have for tourists visiting the country, providing an affordable and convenient way to stay connected while exploring this beautiful Eastern European destination.

This blog post is for tourists heading to Bulgaria. It’s designed to help you pick the right SIM card easily. You’ll explore the top Bulgaria SIM cards for visitors, including their costs, where to get them, and how to use them. This way, you turn your trip into a new height!

In this article

I. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Bulgaria?

You can find 4 ways to buy a tourist SIM card for Bulgaria:

Buying online before departure
Buying a physical SIM at the airport
Buying a SIM in the city
Buying an eSIM

Now, let’s discover which is the best way based on the comparison:

Way of Buying	How to Do It	Where to Buy	Pros	Cons
Online before departure	Search online, choose a plan, pay online, and have SIM shipped	Websites of Bulgaria mobile carriers like Vivacom, A1, Telenor	Ready before trip, wide plan options, can research plans easily	Extra time for shipping, not ready for immediate use
At Bulgaria airports	Purchase SIM at kiosks in airports upon arrival	Sofia Airport, Varna Airport, Burgas Airport	Convenient pick up at airport, ready for immediate use	Limited plan options, higher prices
In the cities	Visit mobile carrier stores in cities	Stores in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna etc.	Wider choice of plans compared to airports, SIM is ready	Take time to locate stores
Buying an eSIM	Order online, activation done digitally through the app	Websites of carriers supporting eSIM	Convenient activation, no physical SIM needed	Only work with the latest devices.

► Recommendation: For tourists, getting an eSIM is best because it’s eco-friendly, and saves time and money.

II. What Are The Best SIM Cards for Tourists?

Bulgarian prepaid SIM card prices are affordable, thanks to EU rules that limit roaming fees. Here are the basic offers from the 3 main providers: A1, Vivacom, and Telenor.

1. Best Bulgaria A1 SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	Data	Validity
15 BGN (~$8.25)	15 GB	30 days
25 BGN (~$13.75)	30 GB	30 days
40 BGN (~$22)	50 GB	30 days

2. Best Bulgaria Vivacom SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	SIM Card	Credit	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local Minutes	Validity
12 BGN (~$6.6)	FREE2GO	2 BGN	12 000 MB	5800 MB	800 minutes	60 days
20 BGN (~$11)	DATA2GO	N/A	25 000 MB	9600 MB	N/A	60 days

3. Best Bulgaria Telenor SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	SIM Card	Credit	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local/EU Minutes	Validity
8 BGN (~$4.4)	Prepaid Starter Pack Telenor 8 BGN	3 BGN (60 days)	6000 MB	2800 MB	300 minutes	14 days
10 BGN (~$5.5)	Prepaid Starter Pack Telenor 10 BGN	3 BGN (60 days)	8000 MB	3500 MB	400 minutes	30 days
15 BGN (~$8.25)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 15 GB	N/A	15 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days
25 BGN (~$13.75)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 30 GB	N/A	30 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days
40 BGN (~$22)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 50 GB	N/A	50 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days

Note: Price might change over time. Check it carefully before deciding to buy.

III. Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card for Bulgaria Travel?

Yes, getting a SIM card in Bulgaria is a good idea because:

SIM cards offer cheap, easy mobile internet access, letting you stay connected via 3G/4G without the high roaming costs.
They’re portable and easy to switch between devices, offering more flexibility than options like local WiFi hotspots.
Prepaid SIMs are ideal for short visits to Bulgaria, requiring no contracts and allowing you to manage your spending.

Tips:

Visit mobile stores like A1, Vivacom, or Telenor. Airport shops also have tourist SIMs.
Opt for a data-only eSIM or physical SIM that supports 3G/4G.
Look for small data packages for short trips to avoid monthly fees.
Bring your passport for prepaid SIM registration if needed.
If traveling in the EU, consider a multi-SIM to avoid roaming charges.

IV. What to Prepare to Buy Prepaid SIM cards in Bulgaria?

To buy a prepaid SIM card in Bulgaria, prepare the following:

Passport: Required for identification and registration of the SIM card.
Local Address: Some vendors might ask for a local address, such as your hotel or place of stay.

If you find the process of purchasing and registering a physical prepaid SIM card in Bulgaria to be complicated or cumbersome, you can opt for using an eSIM, provided that your phone supports this technology.

V. What Types of Bulgaria SIM Cards Are Available For Tourists?

To know which one is the best, let’s explore the key features of each.

1. Prepaid physical SIM card in Bulgaria

Requires purchase of physical SIM card from retailer in Bulgaria
Comes with data-only or data + voice and text packages
Note: for tourists who want the flexibility of a prepaid plan

2. Prepaid Tourist Bulgaria eSIM

Requires online purchase and digital delivery of eSIM profile
Also comes with data-only or data + voice and text packages
Note: available for use on eSIM-compatible devices only, convenient as no physical SIM is needed

SIM Card	eSIM
Pros: Available for all devices, can switch phones easily	Pros: Convenient digital delivery, no need to insert physical SIM
Cons: Require inserting physical SIM, possible to lose	Cons: Only compatible with eSIM-enabled phones, limited device options

► Recommendation: Tourists should use an eSIM for convenience if their phone works with it, and pick the data-only option if they don’t need regular calls. Check if your device can use an eSIM first.

VI. Bulgaria eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in Bulgaria

Traveling to Bulgaria has never been easier thanks to the introduction of eSIM technology. Gigago, a top company for digital SIM services, has a variety of prepaid eSIM plans that can really improve your experience in Bulgaria.

Using a Gigago eSIM in Bulgaria is easy and cheap. No roaming fees or physical SIM card hassles. With Gigago, tracking data and staying connected is simple.

For Bulgaria, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Bulgaria eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 .

Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Bulgaria, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Bulgaria?

The duration of a tourist SIM card in Bulgaria can vary depending on the carrier and the specific plan you choose. Here are some typical options from the major carriers:

A1 Bulgaria: A1 offers prepaid SIM cards with plans that typically have validity periods ranging from 7 days to 30 days. These plans include various combinations of data, call minutes, and texts.
Telenor: Telenor provides prepaid SIM cards with plans that usually last between 7 days and 30 days. These plans come with different amounts of data, local call minutes, and texts.
Vivacom: Vivacom offers prepaid SIM cards with plans that generally have validity periods from 7 days to 30 days. These plans include a combination of data, calls, and texts.

In summary, most tourist SIM cards in Bulgaria are valid for periods ranging from 7 to 30 days, depending on the carrier and the specific plan you select.

VIII. How to Use Bulgaria SIM Cards and eSIM?

Setting up your new Bulgarian SIM card/eSIM on your smartphone is very simple.

1. How to use Bulgaria SIM Cards?

Buy a SIM card
Place the SIM Card in your device
Turn on your device
Set Up Network Connections: In device settings, choose a mobile network or APN, and input your provider’s APN details.
Recharge and enjoy!

2. How to activate Bulgaria eSIM?

Make sure your device is compatible with eSIM technology.
Ask your chosen mobile network in Bulgaria for an eSIM QR code.
Go to your device settings and find eSIM or Cellular options. Choose “Add eSIM” or something similar.
Follow the steps shown on your device to activate your eSIM.

IX. FAQs about Bulgaria SIM cards

Which is better – prepaid or postpaid SIM cards?

For traveling, a prepaid SIM is good because you only pay for what you use and avoid long contracts.

Is it expensive to use my home SIM for data in Bulgaria?

Yes, using your home SIM abroad can lead to high roaming charges. Buying a local Bulgarian SIM for data can save money.

Do I need to show an ID to buy Bulgaria SIM cards?

Yes, you have to show your passport to get a prepaid SIM because it’s the rule there.

Can I add more credit to my prepaid SIM if I run out while in Bulgaria?

Yes, it’s easy to top up your prepaid SIM balance at retailers, online, or via ATMs using cash or cards with additional credit as needed.

What type of file is used for contacts on Bulgarian SIMs?

Contacts are stored in VCF (vCard) format, which works well for sharing contacts.

X. Conclusion

If traveling to Bulgaria, getting Bulgaria SIM cards or eSIMs can make your trip more convenient than usual. It’s cheaper for calls, texts, and data than paying roaming fees. Hope you have a great trip to Bulgaria!