Mobile phones in Bulgaria: SIM cards, eSIM and roaming in 2026
Bulgaria has three mobile networks: A1, Vivacom and Yettel (formerly Telenor). 4G covers almost the whole country and the big cities have 5G. You can get a SIM card on your first day, but only in your own name.
In short: take your passport to an operator's shop — the card is registered to your ID and will not work otherwise. A prepaid card is easiest at first; a contract makes sense once you have an LNCh and an address. Bulgaria is in the EU, so roaming at home prices applies across the EU.
Networks
- A1 — formerly Mtel.
- Vivacom.
- Yettel — formerly Telenor.
All three also sell home internet and TV, so phone and home internet can come on one bill.
Prices and bundles change every few months, so compare them on the operators' sites (links below). Smaller virtual operators run on the big three networks.
ID registration
Under the Electronic Communications Act every SIM card, prepaid ones included, is registered to a named person. Foreigners usually need a passport or an EU ID card; a Bulgarian LNCh is usually not required for a prepaid card, but conditions differ between operators and change over time. Registration is done in the operator's shop, and for Yettel also at Bulgarian Posts offices.
Do not buy a card registered to someone else: the number can be blocked, and the person whose ID was used is responsible for it.
Prepaid or contract
| Prepaid card | passport, no contract; top up in shops, online or at terminals |
| Contract | usually 1–2 years; ID, often an LNCh and a Bulgarian address |
| Phone on instalments | only with a contract; check the term and early-exit fee |
Until you have a residence permit and an LNCh, prepaid is simpler. Once you have documents and a fixed address, a contract is often cheaper per gigabyte.
eSIM
All three operators support eSIM on compatible phones; it is registered to your ID in the same way, usually in a shop or the operator's app. For a short trip many people use a travel eSIM from an international service — convenient, but you get no Bulgarian number, which banks, couriers and public services often ask for.
Roaming
- With a Bulgarian SIM, calls, texts and data in the EU and EEA are charged as at home (“Roam like at home”), with fair-use limits on unlimited plans.
- Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia and the UK are not in the EU: roaming there is charged, so add a bundle before you go.
- A SIM from another EU country also works in Bulgaria at home prices, but if you live here permanently the operator may eventually add surcharges.
Moving? Add the SIM card to your moving checklist and open a bank account with our guide.
FAQ
What documents do I need for a SIM card in Bulgaria?
Foreigners usually need a passport or an EU ID card: every card, prepaid included, is registered to a named person. A contract often also needs an LNCh and a Bulgarian address.
Which mobile operator is best in Bulgaria?
There are three networks: A1, Vivacom and Yettel. All have good coverage; choose by current prices and how well the network works where you live.
Does a Bulgarian SIM work in EU roaming?
Yes, EU and EEA roaming is at home prices. Roaming in Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia and the UK is charged.
Can I get an eSIM in Bulgaria?
Yes, A1, Vivacom and Yettel support eSIM on compatible phones; it is registered to your ID like a normal SIM.
📚 Sources: 6
For information only; not legal advice.
