Prepaid SIM Cards for Bulgaria: Your Top Options for Data & Calls

You land in Sofia, your phone buzzes with a roaming charge warning, and the map app that was supposed to guide you to your hotel is crawling. It happens every year. Home-network roaming can cost far more than a local plan, and the rules for getting a Bulgarian SIM catch many visitors off guard, especially the mandatory ID registration. This guide covers the three operators, what their tourist packs are expected to cost in 2026, and how to get Connected without wasting a day in a phone shop.

A note on prices: the plan details below are 2026 estimates based on current market trends and typical yearly adjustments. Operators change bundles often, so treat these figures as a solid guide and confirm the exact offer at the counter. All conversions use the fixed rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN.

Why a Local SIM Beats Roaming in 2026

Bulgaria’s mobile market is dominated by three operators: A1 Bulgaria, Vivacom, and Yettel (formerly Telenor Bulgaria). All three offer 4G LTE across most populated areas and main transport routes, and 5G is still rolling out in major cities and tourist destinations.

For a visitor, a local prepaid SIM is usually the cheapest way to stay online. A local SIM gives you much cheaper data, local calls, and SMS, and many plans add international minutes or EU roaming allowances. That last part is useful if your trip continues to Greece, Romania, or beyond.

If you only need maps and messaging for a weekend, your home plan may be enough. If you stay a week or more, or need to call hotels, taxis, and restaurants, a local SIM pays for itself quickly.

How to Buy and Register a Prepaid SIM: Step by Step

Buying a SIM here is not like grabbing one from a vending machine. Registration is a legal requirement for all operators, and it is the step that trips people up.

1. Bring your ID. You need a valid passport, or a national ID card if you are an EU citizen. No ID, no SIM.
2. Go to an official operator store. A1, Vivacom, and Yettel all have branded stores in every major city, in shopping malls, and in larger towns. This is the recommended option because staff handle plan selection, registration, activation, and app setup in one visit.
3. Choose your plan. Ask for the current “tourist” pack. Tell the assistant how long you are staying and whether you will cross into other EU countries.



4. Register your details. The assistant scans or types in your ID details. Expect the process to take 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Activate and test. The SIM is usually active immediately or within a few minutes. In an official store, staff insert it, check that it works, and help you download the operator’s app.

Other places to buy

• Sofia Airport (Terminal 2): operator kiosks or partner retailers are available. Prices can be slightly higher or plan choices more limited than in city stores. Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas airports may have smaller kiosks or expect you to use a nearby city store.
• Kiosks and supermarkets: some kiosks (in metro stations and bus terminals) and supermarket chains such as Kaufland, Lidl, and Billa may sell basic starter packs. Activation can still require a visit to an official store or an online registration, which is awkward when you are tired and carrying luggage. Buying directly from an operator store is safer.

A practical routine: if you arrive late at night, rely on your hotel WiFi, then walk into an operator store the next morning. In a mall store on a quiet weekday, the whole thing takes about as long as a coffee.

A1 Bulgaria Prepaid Options

A1 is one of the largest operators in the country and is known for extensive network coverage. The website is a1.bg and the app is called “A1 Bulgaria” (iOS and Android).

A1 Tourist Pack (estimated 2026)

• Price: 25 BGN (approx. 12.78 EUR)
• Includes: 30 GB data, 300 minutes of national calls to all networks, 100 national SMS, and 50 minutes of international calls (EU/EEA)
• Validity: 30 days
• EU roaming: part of the data (for example, 10 to 15 GB) plus calls and SMS, at no extra cost and subject to fair usage policies

A1 Prepaid Max (estimated 2026)

• Price: 15 BGN (approx. 7.67 EUR)
• Includes: 10 GB data, 100 minutes of national calls, 50 national SMS
• Validity: 15 days
• EU roaming: limited allowance (for example, 5 GB)

Top-up: online through the A1 website or the app with a credit or debit card, with vouchers at A1 stores, petrol stations, supermarkets, and kiosks, or at some ATMs that offer direct top-up. Coverage: generally excellent in cities and along main roads, with good 5G in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and major resorts.

Vivacom Prepaid Options

Vivacom is often competitive with A1 and is also known for fixed-line and TV services. The website is vivacom.bg and the app is “My Vivacom” (iOS and Android). The operator frequently offers a dedicated tourist SIM.

Vivacom Tourist SIM (estimated 2026)

• Price: 28 BGN (approx. 14.31 EUR)
• Includes: 40 GB data, unlimited national calls to Vivacom numbers, 200 national minutes to other networks, 100 national SMS, and 60 minutes of international calls (EU/EEA)
• Validity: 30 days
• EU roaming: a significant portion of data (for example, 15 to 20 GB) plus calls and SMS

Vivacom Starter Pack (estimated 2026)

• Price: 12 BGN (approx. 6.14 EUR)
• Includes: 8 GB data and 50 minutes of national calls
• Validity: 15 days

Top-up: online via the website or “My Vivacom” app, with vouchers sold at Vivacom stores, kiosks, post offices, and supermarkets, or by bank transfer for larger amounts. Coverage: very good, and particularly strong in some rural areas thanks to the older fixed-line infrastructure. 5G is expanding rapidly.

Yettel Prepaid Options

Yettel rebranded from Telenor in 2022 and tends to focus on data-heavy plans. The website is yettel.bg and the app is “Yettel” (iOS and Android). Its prepaid range often carries the “Easy” name.

Yettel Easy Tourist (estimated 2026)

• Price: 26 BGN (approx. 13.30 EUR)
• Includes: 35 GB data, 250 minutes of national calls, 100 national SMS, and 50 minutes of international calls (EU/EEA)
• Validity: 30 days
• EU roaming: a good allowance (for example, 12 to 18 GB)

Yettel Easy Starter (estimated 2026)

• Price: 14 BGN (approx. 7.16 EUR)
• Includes: 12 GB data and 70 minutes of national calls
• Validity: 15 days

Top-up: through the Yettel website or app, with vouchers at Yettel stores, petrol stations, and convenience stores, or at some payment terminals. Coverage: excellent 4G/5G, especially in larger cities and along major highways.

Which Operator Should You Pick?

The honest answer is that the three are very close. Tourist plans cluster around 25 to 28 BGN for a month, with 30 to 40 GB of data and similar call allowances. Network quality is robust on all three. For visitors who stick to major cities and resorts, any of them will do the job.

• Heading into villages or mountains? A1 and Vivacom often claim slightly better rural coverage.
• Staying mostly in cities? Yettel is very strong in urban areas and along major highways.
• Want the most data? The Vivacom Tourist SIM offers 40 GB, the highest among the three tourist packs.
• Want the lowest monthly price? The A1 Tourist Pack at 25 BGN is the cheapest of the three monthly packs.

2026 Budget Reality: What You Will Pay

These are estimated 2026 prices, with EUR equivalents at the fixed rate. Choose a tier by trip length and how much data you use.

• Budget (short trips, light use, 15 days):
  • Vivacom Starter Pack: 12 BGN (approx. 6.14 EUR), 8 GB
  • Yettel Easy Starter: 14 BGN (approx. 7.16 EUR), 12 GB
  • A1 Prepaid Max: 15 BGN (approx. 7.67 EUR), 10 GB
• Mid-range (one month, regular use):
  • A1 Tourist Pack: 25 BGN (approx. 12.78 EUR), 30 GB
  • Yettel Easy Tourist: 26 BGN (approx. 13.30 EUR), 35 GB
• Comfortable (heavy data, calls, and EU travel):
  • Vivacom Tourist SIM: 28 BGN (approx. 14.31 EUR), 40 GB plus 60 international EU/EEA minutes
  • Two months on this pack: 56 BGN (approx. 28.63 EUR)

eSIM in Bulgaria: What to Expect

A1, Vivacom, and Yettel all offer eSIM on their postpaid plans, and prepaid eSIM is increasingly available. It needs an eSIM-compatible smartphone, so check your phone’s settings before you travel.

There is one catch. You still need to visit an official store with your ID to register and receive the eSIM QR code. An eSIM does not let you skip the counter, but it saves you from swapping physical cards. That matters if you want to keep your home number active for banking codes.

Free WiFi: Where It Works and Where It Doesn’t

A local SIM is recommended, but WiFi is widely available and covers a lot of everyday needs.

• Accommodation: almost all hotels, guesthouses, and private rentals offer free WiFi, though quality varies.
• Cafés, restaurants, and bars: many provide free WiFi for customers, especially in tourist areas. Look for signs or ask the staff.
• Public hotspots: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas have a growing number of free hotspots in central squares, parks, and public buildings.
• Shopping malls: all major centres offer free WiFi.
• BDZ trains: some newer trains on intercity routes, such as Sofia to Varna and Sofia to Burgas, offer free WiFi. Availability and reliability can be inconsistent, and it is not guaranteed on all routes or older rolling stock.
• Intercity buses: some modern services between major cities may offer free WiFi.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• More data for similar money: a 2024 plan might have offered 25 GB for 25 BGN, while 2026 plans are estimated at 30 to 40 GB for a similar price.
• Small price rises: base prices for starter packs may have risen by 1 to 3 BGN with inflation.
• Wider eSIM adoption: in 2024, prepaid eSIM support was still limited or new at some operators. By 2026 it is expected to be a standard option from all three.
• 5G growth: coverage has expanded beyond the largest cities to more regional centres and popular tourist spots.
• ID rules unchanged: mandatory registration, in place before 2024, is still firmly in force and is not expected to change.
• Fewer tiny plans: older, less competitive bundles are being phased out. Very low-data plans of 1 to 2 GB are now less common for tourist packages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Arriving without ID. A photocopy or a photo on your phone may not be accepted. Bring your actual passport or EU national ID card.
• Buying a supermarket starter pack and assuming it works. Registration may still require an official store visit or an online process, which is inconvenient for tourists.
• Relying on the airport for the best deal. Kiosk prices may be slightly higher and options more limited than in city stores.
• Ignoring the validity period. A 15-day pack runs out sooner than you think on a two-week trip. Choose a 30-day pack, or know how to top up.
• Assuming all data works abroad. Only a portion of each pack’s data is available for EU roaming. Ask about the exact allowance and fair usage limits.
• Expecting eSIM without a store visit. You still need to register your ID and collect the QR code at an official store.
• Counting on train WiFi. Download maps and tickets before you board. Train WiFi can be unreliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to buy a prepaid SIM in Bulgaria?

Yes. Registration is a legal requirement for all operators. You need a valid passport, or a national ID card if you are an EU citizen. The sales assistant scans or enters your details, which typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. You cannot buy a SIM anonymously.

Which Bulgarian operator is best for tourists?

A1, Vivacom, and Yettel are all strong, with tourist packs of about 25 to 28 BGN for 30 days. A1 and Vivacom often claim better rural coverage, while Yettel is very strong in cities. For most visitors sticking to cities and resorts, any of the three works well.

Can I get an eSIM for Bulgaria?

Yes. All three operators offer eSIM, and prepaid eSIM is increasingly available, with wide availability expected for most tourist packages in 2026. You need a compatible phone and must still visit an official store with your ID to register and receive the QR code.

Where can I buy a SIM card at the airport?

Sofia Airport (Terminal 2) has operator kiosks or partner retailers, though prices may be slightly higher and plan options more limited than in city stores. Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas airports may have smaller kiosks or expect you to use a nearby city store.

Is free WiFi easy to find in Bulgaria?

Yes, in most places. Almost all hotels, guesthouses, and rentals offer it, as do many cafés and all major malls. Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas have public hotspots. Train and bus WiFi is less reliable, so a local SIM remains the safer choice for travel days.

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📷 Featured image by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash.