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Prepaid SIM card for Bulgaria: Where to buy in 2024?
Get ready to enjoy Bulgaria to the fullest with a prepaid SIM card. But that's not all. Don't waste a minute with the new eSIM!
January 1, 2024
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Bulgaria is an intriguing blend of ancient history, breathtaking scenery, and vibrant culture. This Eastern European treasure, nestled in the heart of the Balkans, offers a broad range of attractions for every sort of traveler. Explore Sofia’s cobblestone alleyways, where ancient Roman ruins and Orthodox churches coexist with modern art galleries and busy marketplaces. Make sure you have everything ready for your trip, especially your prepaid SIM card to connect to the internet in Bulgaria.
We want to be well-informed for your travel so you can save time and money. Continue reading to find out about the options for getting your SIM card before or after you travel. Additionally, take a sneak peek at a new innovative option to connect abroad through the eSIM. Find out what it is and how it works!
Where can I buy a data SIM card for Bulgaria?
Staying connected while traveling is essential, not just to post your stories online, but to keep in contact with others and family back home. You’re also likely to look up the sites, try to get tickets online and so much more! Be aware that there are plenty of options to stay connected abroad, like the local SIM card, roaming services offered by your domestic provider, pocket WiFi, and even free WiFi hotspots.
Roman Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Source: Pexels.
We know you want options and to get your SIM card to remain connected in Bulgaria, you have specifically 2. You can either purchase it before you leave or get it once you’ve arrived. Each option has its own pros and cons. It all really depends on your personal preferences and needs.
- Before traveling
The main advantage of buying your SIM card before you head off is that you can install it on the way there and be connected the second you touch down! This will enable you to get a cab as soon as you pick up your bags and connect with the hotel.
Nowadays it is very easy to buy SIM cards for any destination in the world before you start your trip, you can easily buy one for Bulgaria, Spain, Switzerland, among others. If you travel to Switzerland, you can buy a Swiss eSIM in a matter of minutes.
- After arriving
If you were in a hurry and didn’t have time to wait for your SIM card to arrive, then you still have options. Once you arrive at your destination, in this case, Bulgaria, you can still get your SIM card. The good thing is that you’ll have a lot more variety in plans and options to choose from.
One exceptional option is to get an eSIM card when you arrive at your destination. With just a compatible phone and a prior internet connection, you’ll be able to connect in minutes! No waiting and no issues.
>Buy a SIM Card for Latvia and stay connected! or find out one of the best eSIM card alternatives for France<
Buy before your trip starts
Just as mentioned before, when you buy before you leave, you just have to go online and find a provider, complete the purchase, and wait for the SIM card to arrive at your home. Everything can be done online. Remember that you’ll have to wait for the prepaid SIM card to arrive before you leave for Bulgaria. So you’ll have to organize yourself and make sure you have enough time to receive your chip. Now, if you’re traveling to more than one country, there are SIM cards that are not just national or regional but also global. This way, you can go to several places without having to change your chip.
Several aspects that you have to consider are the validity of your plan, the payment options available and even special features like calls and SMS. If you don’t want to wait or want to save a little, get a Holafly eSIM for Bulgaria. This digital chip comes with all sorts of features and benefits. With a compatible phone and good vibes, you’ll be good to go.
Advantages of buying a SIM before traveling
We want to give you the pros of getting your data SIM for Bulgaria before you leave. This also applies to Holafly’s Bulgaria virtual SIM card!
- Connect upon arrival
This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits. You don’t want to waste precious vacation time just looking for a way to connect to the internet. That’s why purchasing and installing before takeoff is the way to go. Get your cab quickly once you’ve picked up your bags or contact your hotel so they can send a pickup.
- Save time
Similarly to what we mentioned previously, you don’t want to waste a second! After all, you probably paid good money too. So have your SIM or eSIM for Bulgaria before you leave and don’t miss a beat!
- Save money
Another big benefit is saving money. Thankfully, foreign providers are aware of the needs of tourists and they offer great options for short-term stays. There are also some long-term options. Holafly for example, offers eSIMs for up to three months!
Buy your tourist SIM card in Bulgaria
The other option for getting your Bulgarian SIM card is to buy it from local operators. There are several providers, like A1, Yettel & Vivacom, from which you can go in person and get a prepaid chip. However, since you’re not a resident, it could be a little more complicated. You’ll probably be asked for ID and proof of address. Not to mention the language barrier.
A1
This local Bulgarian provider offers an A1 Holiday Plus Prepaid Starter Pack. For just a little over $3, you’ll receive the SIM (Standard, micro, and nano) and an initial activation bonus (valid for 10 days from activation). Then, you can choose the top-up from the following options:
| Top-up | Validity | Add-on price |
| 50 minutes to 50 countries | 10 days | $5.52 |
| 150 minutes to 50 countries | 30 days | $16.56 |
| 2000 МВ mobile internet | 10 days | $5.52 |
| 5000 МВ mobile internet | 30 days | $16.56 |
| 50 minutes to 50 countries 2000 МВ mobile internet | 30 days | $13.80 |
Yettel
Yettel offers three separate packages that you can get once you arrive in Bulgaria. You can also top up the SIM once you’ve run out of data or any of the other services. You can even top up at an ATM! That’s one to look out for.
Prepaid package $5.
- $2 credit
- 400 minutes in Bulgaria and the EU zone (valid for 14 days)
- 6 GB of DATA in Bulgaria (valid for 14 days)
- 3800 MB data in the EU zone (valid for 14 days)
Prepaid package $6.
- $2 credit
- 500 minutes in Bulgaria and the EU zone (valid for 30 days)
- 8 GB of data in Bulgaria (valid for 30 days)
- 4.8 GB of data in the EU zone (valid for 30 days)
Prepaid package $9.
- $2 credit
- 15 GB for the first three days or until they run out on Yettel’s 2G/3G/4G/LTE/5G network in Bulgaria and 15 GB for 30 days
- 1000 minutes in Bulgaria;
- 500 minutes on the Yettel network
- Mobile internet via Yettel’s 5G network
Vivacom
Vivacom also offers a $7 SIM for travelers that later has to be topped up. With a 5G connection, you can top up with the following options:
| Price | Validity in days | MB at maximum speed | MB at no extra charge when roaming in the EU | Package type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 1 | 1500MB | 1500MB | No renewal |
| $4 | 7 | 1500MB | 1500MB | No renewal |
| $4.50 | 14 | 1500MB | 1500MB | No renewal |
| $5 | 21 | 3000MB | 4,300MB | With renewal |
| $6 | 14 | 4000MB | 4000MB | No renewal |
| $7 | 21 | 20,000MB | 5,800MB | With renewal |
Virtual SIM card for Bulgaria: a great alternative
The new Holafly eSIM for Bulgaria is the ultimate travel companion, and you can enjoy every aspect of it. With this improved SIM chip version, you cannot limit what you can do while traveling! Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, and let us keep you well-informed.
One of the main features is that you can easily get your digital SIM card as easily as 1, 2, or 3. Just buy, scan, and connect! It’s that easy. You’ll be able to connect to the best network available, which in this case happens to be Telenor Bulgaria or Bulgarian Telecommunications. But that’s not all; with this eSIM, you’ll receive unlimited data, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the advantages.
Go to the official Holafly website and select the best option for you, which can go from 5 days up to 90! Once you complete the purchase, you’ll receive your activation QR code in seconds. After scanning the code and a few set-up steps, you’ll be connected, and this works for other virtual SIM cards, like the eSIM for Israel.
>You might want to get a SIM Card for Slovakia<
Advantages and disadvantages of virtual SIM cards
Pros:
With Holafly, you’ll get:
- Unlimited data
- 24/7 customer service is available in different languages
- Keep your WhatsApp number and conversations
- Tethering / Hotspot: enjoy 500 MB per day to share with others.
- Top-ups available
- Multi-country coverage with the Europe digital data SIM card that includes Bulgaria.
Cons:
- Not all devices are compatible with eSIM tech yet
How much does the virtual SIM card cost?
| Days of Use | Mobile Data | Price (USD) |
| 5 Days | Unlimited data | $19 |
| 7 days | Unlimited data | $27 |
| 10 Days | Unlimited data | $34 |
| 15 Days | Unlimited data | $47 |
| 20 Days | Unlimited data | $54 |
| 30 Days | Unlimited data | $64 |
| 60 Days | Unlimited data | $87 |
| 90 Days | Unlimited data | $99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if your phone supports dual SIM capabilities and you use the Holafly eSIM for local access, you can keep your home country’s number.
You’ll be able to make calls using apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Most modern smartphones are compatible with Bulgarian networks, but it’s recommended to check if your phone supports the local bands.
Some of the prominent providers include Vivacom, A1 Bulgaria, and Telenor.
