Bulgaria – Landlines and Mobile Phones

What are the international dialling codes for Bulgaria, and what are the area codes for the most popular expat destinations?

Bulgaria is part of the E.164 international numbering plan and carries the telephone country code 359. To reach a Bulgarian number from outside the country, dial your international access code (usually 00 or +), then 359, followed by the area code and subscriber number. When dialling internationally, the leading zero of the area code should be omitted.

Frequently used area codes include 02 for Sofia, 032 for Plovdiv, 052 for Varna, and 056 for Burgas. Other cities and areas popular with expats have their own designated codes: Ruse is reached via 082, Veliko Tarnovo via 062, Bansko via 0749, and the Sunny Beach resort (Nesebar area) via 0554. The table below provides a summary of key codes.

All calls placed within Bulgaria require the complete national number to be dialled. When calling across different area codes domestically, the full national number is used with the trunk prefix 0. When calling from abroad, the trunk prefix 0 is replaced by the country code 359. As an example, reaching a Sofia landline from overseas requires dialling +359 2, followed by the seven-digit local number.

Bulgarian domestic numbers are a maximum of eight digits, and area codes range from one to five digits in length. Mobile numbers in Bulgaria always start with 08 and are not tied to any geographic area code. The administration and regulation of Bulgarian telephone numbers is handled by the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), which publishes details of the National Numbering Plan. The CRC can be found online at crc.bg.

Who are the major landline providers in Bulgaria, and how can you contact them?

Vivacom is Bulgaria’s leading fixed-line telephone provider, offering a full range of services including fixed-line telephony, broadband internet, and television packages. As the direct successor to the original Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC), Vivacom possesses the most comprehensive fixed-line infrastructure in the country and is the natural first choice for landline connections across most of Bulgaria, especially outside the main urban areas.

Bulsatcom is a further option for fixed-line telephony, broadband, and television, operating a broad network with competitive pricing. Having started primarily as a cable and satellite television provider, Bulsatcom has since extended its offering to include fixed voice services; its website is at bulsatcom.bg. In major cities, a number of smaller regional ISPs and cable operators also provide VoIP-based landline services.

Tariffs and plan details across all fixed-line providers are subject to change. Always consult each provider’s official website for the most up-to-date pricing at the time you are reading this. The CRC also offers a free plan comparison tool at comparetool.crc.bg/public, enabling side-by-side comparison of fixed and mobile options; an English version is accessible by clicking “Език”.

Who are the major mobile phone providers in Bulgaria, and how can you contact them?

Three major mobile network operators serve Bulgaria: A1, Vivacom, and Yettel (previously known as Telenor). The Bulgarian mobile market features vigorous competition between A1 Bulgaria, Yettel (which was rebranded from Telenor Bulgaria in March 2022), and the established operator Vivacom. All three networks provide both prepaid and postpaid (contract) plans to customers.

A1 leads the market with roughly 2.9 million subscribers (a 36% share), Vivacom occupies second position with 2.6 million subscribers (32%), and Yettel is third with 2.3 million subscribers (31%). Network coverage is strongly competitive across all three operators.

Vivacom’s 4G network reaches 99% of Bulgaria’s population, with uninterrupted coverage across 2,200 locations including the 44 largest cities. A1’s 4G network extends to more than 99.4% of the population. Mobile coverage throughout the country is extensive and reliable, with signal weakness only likely in the most remote mountainous terrain.

In terms of independent assessments, Vivacom became the first Bulgarian operator to receive Opensignal’s Coverage Experience award, recording a score of 7.4 on a 10-point scale and outperforming second-placed A1 by 0.4 points. In a separate 2024 umlaut mobile benchmark, Yettel earned the highest overall result among Bulgarian operators, achieving 926 out of 1,000 dots. Plan pricing is subject to frequent revision — always verify current tariffs directly on each operator’s official website at the time you are reading this.

How do I get a landline connected in Bulgaria?

Arranging a telephone connection in Bulgaria — whether fixed or mobile — is not a complicated process. The procedure broadly mirrors that of other European countries, although it is worth being aware that some properties, particularly older homes in rural locations, may not already be wired for a landline. Installing a new fixed-line connection where none exists can cost in the region of €100–150 depending on location (this was the estimate at the time of the original report — confirm current costs directly with your chosen provider before proceeding).

1. Choose a provider. Vivacom has the most extensive fixed-line infrastructure nationwide, while A1 and Yettel offer fixed-line packages — frequently bundled with broadband and television — in urban areas. Use the CRC’s comparison tool at comparetool.crc.bg/public to identify the options available at your specific address.
2. Contact the provider. You can visit a branch in person, telephone the provider’s customer service team, or submit an application through the provider’s website. Vivacom maintains service centres in all major cities; a store locator is available at vivacom.bg.
3. Provide documentation. You will be asked to supply your personal details, including your name, address, and proof of identity. A national ID card or passport is the standard requirement. If you are a tenant, you may also need to provide your rental agreement as evidence of your address.
4. Pay a deposit if required. Some providers may request a security deposit, which is returned when the account is eventually closed. Whether a deposit applies, and how much it will be, depends on the individual provider and the type of account you are opening.
5. Schedule installation. Once your account is established, the provider will arrange for a technician to visit your home or business to fit the necessary equipment, which could include a telephone handset, modem, or router depending on which services you have chosen.
6. Activate and test the line. Before the technician departs, ensure the line is fully operational. Make a note of any reference number issued for the installation visit.

Whether you own or rent your property does not substantially alter the process, but tenants should review their lease to confirm that fitting telecoms equipment is permitted. Check all current requirements — including estimated lead times and any applicable deposits — directly with your preferred provider or via the CRC at crc.bg.

How do I get a mobile phone SIM card or contract in Bulgaria?

Acquiring a SIM card in Bulgaria is a simple matter for both newly arrived expats and longer-term residents alike. All three major operators — A1, Vivacom, and Yettel — provide both prepaid (pay-as-you-go) and postpaid (contract) options. Bulgarian law requires all SIM cards to be registered; when buying a SIM, you will need to present a passport or other identity document, and the retailer’s staff will walk you through the registration steps.

Prepaid SIM cards are the most straightforward choice for new arrivals. Cards for the various networks are stocked by authorised resellers including electronics retailers, newsstands, and convenience stores — look for operator-branded signage to identify which networks a given shop supports. All three operators — A1, Vivacom, and Yettel — have kiosks and retail outlets in the arrivals areas of major airports including Sofia International, Varna, and Burgas, so you can get connected as soon as you land.

Postpaid contracts are available to people with a Bulgarian address. Always read through a contract carefully before signing; if the document is only provided in Bulgarian and you are not fluent, ask a trusted Bulgarian speaker to go through it with you and confirm the terms are fair. Unlike in some countries where contracts can be completed entirely online, Bulgarian operators typically require a visit to a physical store to sign a postpaid contract, so that your identity and address can be verified face to face.

Once a two-year contract term ends, it converts automatically to a month-by-month rolling arrangement, allowing cancellation at any point with no financial penalty. Should you wish to exit the contract before the two years are up, you will be liable for a cancellation fee equal to three months of service charges. New arrivals who have not yet established a permanent Bulgarian address are generally best advised to begin with a prepaid plan, then move to a contract once they are settled.

The two-year contract option typically carries a lower monthly cost than a one-year agreement. Check each operator’s official website for current plan pricing, as tariffs are subject to regular updates (information current as of the date you are reading this).

How do I pay my telephone bill in Bulgaria?

Invoices for both fixed-line and mobile services are issued on a monthly basis. Bills arrive each month by post or can be accessed online, and payment is due within 15 days of the invoice date. This payment window is somewhat shorter than the 30 days that some other European countries allow, so it is important not to let bills accumulate. Failure to pay on time risks a suspension of service.

Several payment methods are available for telephone bills, including bank transfers, online payments, in-person payment, and mobile payment options. In practice, you can pay by:

• Online banking or the provider’s app: Every major operator offers an online customer portal and a mobile app through which bills can be paid directly. Operators generally encourage online payment by offering incentives such as a 1 BGN monthly discount or an additional 500 MB of mobile data.
• Direct debit (domiciliation): You can instruct your bank to settle your bill automatically each month, removing the risk of accidental late payment. Contact your bank or provider to arrange this.
• In-person at provider branches: Payments can be made over the counter at any operator’s retail store — a convenient option if you have not yet opened a Bulgarian bank account.
• Automated payment terminals (ATMs/EasyPay machines): Bulgaria has an extensive network of self-service payment kiosks — including EasyPay terminals located in post offices, petrol stations, and shopping centres — where utility and telephone bills can be settled in cash.
• Post offices: Telephone bill payments are accepted at Bulgarian Post branches, which is a useful option for those who prefer to handle transactions in cash.

If you are struggling to meet a bill on time, it is worth contacting your provider to discuss available options before service is interrupted. For prepaid mobile customers, credit can be added to your account at an operator’s store — simply quote your number and specify it is a prepaid account — or via self-service payment terminals. Prepaid top-up vouchers in the form of plastic scratch cards with printed codes are also widely sold in shops and at resort locations.

Are there any practical tips for using phones in Bulgaria as a newcomer?

EU roaming rules apply. As a full EU member state, Bulgaria falls within the scope of roam-like-at-home regulations. If you are arriving from another EU or EEA country and retain your home network SIM card, you should not incur additional charges for calls, texts, or data use within the EU at standard domestic rates, subject to fair-use thresholds. It is worth confirming the specifics with your home provider before you travel, as individual operators and countries of origin may apply their own conditions.

Number portability. Mobile number portability has been available in Bulgaria since 2007, meaning you can move between any of the three operators without losing your existing Bulgarian mobile number. Market competition increased noticeably following the introduction of a more streamlined portability process. Transferring your number to a new provider generally takes a few working days and is initiated by contacting the operator you wish to move to — unlike in some markets where porting completes within a single day, so factor this timeframe in if seamless continuity matters to you.

eSIMs. All three major operators — A1, Vivacom, and Yettel — are progressively introducing eSIM support, and most contemporary smartphones (iPhone XS and later models, along with many Android flagship devices) are compatible. Each operator’s website includes an online shop from which SIM cards or eSIM profiles can be ordered and delivered to your hotel or rental accommodation. Bear in mind that some eSIM plans from third-party international providers are data-only and do not provide a Bulgarian phone number — these are fine for internet access but unsuitable if you need to receive calls. Verify your handset’s eSIM compatibility before making a purchase.

Keeping a foreign number. There is no facility to port a number from outside Bulgaria into the Bulgarian mobile network. If maintaining a number from your previous country of residence is important, you will need to keep a SIM or plan with your original provider for as long as that number needs to remain active. A common solution among expats is to run two numbers simultaneously — a local Bulgarian number for day-to-day use and a retained foreign number for staying in touch with contacts at home — using international roaming SIMs or VoIP services such as Google Voice or Skype numbers to keep the cost of the second line manageable.

Language of contracts and customer service. Contracts from Bulgarian operators are frequently available only in Bulgarian. If your Bulgarian is limited, it is sensible to have a fluent speaker review the document before you commit. All three major operators offer some level of English-language support, particularly at their larger branches in city centres and through their websites.

Service quality in expat areas. Network performance is broadly consistent across all three operators throughout Bulgaria — the country is not large, and mobile coverage is generally strong and stable. That said, ski resorts such as Bansko and Borovets, Black Sea coastal areas, and more remote parts of the Rhodope and Balkan mountains may have weaker indoor signal. If you live or work away from the major cities, it is advisable to consult your preferred operator’s coverage map before committing to a contract.

Regulator and consumer protection. If a dispute with a telecoms provider cannot be resolved through direct negotiation, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) is Bulgaria’s official telecoms regulator and is responsible for handling consumer complaints. The CRC’s plan comparison tool at comparetool.crc.bg/public is available in English and serves as an excellent starting point for evaluating options across all licensed operators.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my foreign number when I move to Bulgaria?

It is not possible to port a foreign number into the Bulgarian mobile network. You can, however, keep your original SIM card active on a low-cost international or VoIP plan so that your home-country contacts can still reach you, while taking out a separate Bulgarian SIM for local use. Running both numbers simultaneously is the approach most expats choose.

Do I need a local address to get a SIM card in Bulgaria?

A passport or national identity card is all that is needed to purchase a prepaid SIM card — no Bulgarian address is required. For a postpaid contract, providers will generally ask for a Bulgarian address as part of the application, so new arrivals who have not yet established one are typically advised to begin with a prepaid plan and upgrade to a contract once they are settled.

Which mobile operator has the best coverage in Bulgaria?

According to Opensignal’s 2024 report, Vivacom claimed the Coverage Experience award with a score of 7.4 out of 10, finishing 0.4 points ahead of second-placed A1. In a separate 2024 umlaut mobile benchmark, Yettel recorded the strongest overall performance among Bulgarian operators with 926 out of 1,000 dots. Across the main expat destinations all three networks deliver solid results — consult each operator’s coverage map for your particular location.

Can I get a mobile contract without Bulgarian residency?

A postpaid contract in Bulgaria normally requires proof of a Bulgarian address together with a valid identity document. Those who have not yet registered Bulgarian residency are generally limited to prepaid options. Once you have a registered address in Bulgaria — as either an owner or a tenant — you can apply for a contract in person at any of the three operators’ stores.

How long does a mobile contract last in Bulgaria, and can I cancel early?

The standard contract term is two years, at the end of which it automatically rolls over to a month-by-month arrangement that can be terminated at any time without penalty. Cancelling during the original two-year term carries a fee equivalent to three months of service charges.

Is 5G available in Bulgaria?

Vivacom launched Bulgaria’s first 5G network, providing coverage across 27 district centres from September 2020. A1’s 5G network has since grown to reach more than 100 towns and resorts. Bulgaria’s operators are collectively approaching 70% population coverage with 5G, and expansion is ongoing. Check your operator’s 5G coverage map to find out whether your area is currently included.

What is the emergency number in Bulgaria?

The pan-European emergency number 112 is accessible from any phone — whether mobile or landline — anywhere in Bulgaria, free of charge and without the need for credit or even a SIM card. The individual emergency services are also reachable on dedicated numbers: 166 for police, 150 for ambulance, and 160 for the fire brigade. All of these numbers function across every network.

Where can I compare mobile and landline tariffs in Bulgaria?

The Bulgarian Communications Regulation Commission provides a free plan comparison tool at comparetool.crc.bg/public. To view it in English, click “Език”. The tool offers a range of filters to help you evaluate both subscription and prepaid plans and is the most reliable resource for checking current pricing across all licensed operators.