The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Bulgaria – A Guide for Tourists

Welcome to Bulgaria – a land of majestic mountains, golden beaches, ancient history, and warm hospitality! Whether you’re here to explore the cobbled streets of Plovdiv, hike through the Rila Mountains, or relax by the Black Sea - staying connected is important. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best prepaid SIM card or eSIM for your trip to Bulgaria, so you can navigate, share, and stay in touch with ease.

Mobile Network Overview

Bulgaria has three major mobile network providers:

• A1
• Yettel
• Vivacom

All three offer excellent coverage throughout the country, including in rural areas and along highways. Whether you’re in Sofia or skiing in Bansko, you can expect strong 4G and 5G signal.

Do You Need to Register Your SIM?

If you purchase a data-only SIM (no voice/SMS), you don’t need to register it with an ID – making it a hassle-free option for short-term visitors. If you plan to use voice services (calling, SMS), then registration with a passport or ID is required.

Coming from the EU?

If you’re visiting from another EU country, you most likely already have free roaming in Bulgaria. Check with your home operator to see if your current plan includes “Roam Like At Home” in Bulgaria—this could save you both time and money.

Top Prepaid SIM Card Options in Bulgaria

Here’s a quick overview of the best tourist-friendly SIM cards available from local operators:

A1 Bulgaria

A1 Bulgaria offers prepaid mobile internet starter packs and the prices start from 15 GB for 15 BGN (~7.5€), 30 GB for 25 BGN (~12.5€), 50 GB for 40 BGN (~20€), and 100GB for 80 BGN (~40€), all valid for 30 days, with no ID registration required and bonus data available upon top-up.

Alternatively, you can purchase a prepaid starter pack with data and minutes, but it must be registered with an ID or passport at an A1 store. The “HIT” prepaid pack costs 20 BGN (approximately €10) and includes 1,000 nationwide minutes and 20,000 MB of data.

Yettel

Yettel Bulgaria offers similar prepaid starter packs for mobile internet, with prices starting at 15 GB for 15 BGN (€7.76), 25 GB for 20 BGN (€10.22), 30 GB for 25 BGN (€12.78), 50 GB for 40 BGN (€20.45), and 100 GB for 80 BGN (€40.90)  - with no ID registration required.

Alternatively, if you also need nationwide minutes, you can choose from starter packs like Hello, which includes 8,000 MB in Bulgaria, 5,300 MB in the EU, and 400 national minutes for 8 BGN (€4.09) valid for 14 days; Hello Plus 2025, which offers 15,000 MB for the first 5 days, an additional 15,000 MB valid for 30 days, 8,000 MB in the EU, and 800 national minutes for 12 BGN (€6.14); or Hello Ultimate 2025, which comes with Unlimited MB for the first 5 days, an additional 15,000 MB valid for 30 days, and 1,000 national minutes for 15 BGN (€7.67). For these packages you have to register with an ID or Passport in a Yettel store.

Vivacom

Vivacom offers two main prepaid starter plans. The Data2Go plan costs 25.40 BGN (~€12.70) and includes 80 000 MB of high-speed data plus 17,000 MB of data for EU roaming without additional fees (valid for 28 days). This plan can be purchased without ID registration.

The Free2Go plan costs 13.70 BGN (~€6.85) and includes 1 BGN credit, 1,000 minutes for calls to all national networks, 25,000 MB of high-speed data, and 9,200 MB of data for roaming within the EU at no extra charge. This pack requires registration with an ID at a Vivacom store.

Prefer an eSIM Instead? Try Airalo

If your smartphone supports eSIM, Airalo is a fast and convenient way to get connected without visiting a store. The top eSIM-supporting phones include the latest Apple iPhone models (iPhone XS and newer), Google Pixel phones (Pixel 3 and newer), Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and select recent models from Huawei, OnePlus, and Motorola.

This option is convenient because it allows you to instantly buy and activate data plans for multiple countries without needing a physical SIM card or registration, making travel connectivity easy and hassle-free. The prices as of today for Bulgaria are:

• 1 GB / 7 days – $4.50 USD
• 3 GB / 30 days – $9.50 USD
• 5 GB / 30 days – $13 USD
• 10 GB / 30 days – $20 USD
• 20 GB / 30 days – $32 USD

All plans work on Bulgaria’s top-tier networks and activate instantly after purchase.

Use our affiliate link to receive a $3 discount on your first Airalo purchase. Or enter the promo code: MICHAE2781

Where to Buy Local SIM Cards

You can buy prepaid SIMs at Sofia, Varna and Bourgas Airports, Mobile operator stores (A1, Yettel, Vivacom), tech shops, gas stations, supermarkets and convenience stores

Most places accept credit cards, and staff in major cities often speak English.

Final Tips

• Always check if the plan includes roaming in the EU, if you’re planning to travel around.
• Some plans auto-renew – ask at the store or disable auto-reload if you prefer not to.
• Bring an unlocked phone to use any SIM or eSIM.
• For longer stays, consider monthly prepaid plans or postpaid options with registration.

Stay connected, share your adventures, and enjoy your time in Bulgaria! Whether you’re here for culture, coastline, or cuisine, a reliable SIM or eSIM will make your travels even smoother.