Best eSIM for Bulgaria ( Affordable Travel Data)
If you’re traveling to Bulgaria for a while, you’re going to need an eSIM for each internet access.
At A Glance: Best eSim Providers in Bulgaria
- CHEAPEST MONTHLY DATA PLANS Airalo
- UNLIMITED DATA OPTIONS Holafly
- BEST MONTHLY UNLIMITED DATA Maya Mobile
But finding the right Bulgarian eSIM can be a challenge when shopping online.
This guide features the best eSIM for Bulgaria including all the providers with affordable data plans. From short-term to long-term stays, there is a prepaid eSIM data plan that suits your needs below.
ESIM Product Comparison
Airalo30 Days
$2.6/GB
Airalo30 Days
$1.5/GB
Airalo30 Days
$0.63/GB
Airalo30 Days
$0.53/GB
Airalo30 Days
$0.6/GB
Holafly5 Days
Holafly10 Days
Holafly20 Days
Holafly30 Days
Holafly60 Days
Nomad7 Days
$6/GB
Nomad15 Days
$4/GB
Nomad15 Days
$2.8/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.9/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.8/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.65/GB
Maya30 Days
$5/GB
Maya30 Days
$2.7 /GB
Maya30 Days
$2.4/GB
Maya30 Days
$1.9/GB
Maya30 Days
Maya30 Days
Airalo
Airalo has some of the best and cheapest eSIMs for Bulgaria, which isn’t a total surprise because this is one of the most highly-rated eSim providers. The Bultel Airalo data packs are:
- 2.5 GB / 30 Days for $6.5
- 5 GB / 30 Days for $7.5
- 15 GB / 30 Days for $9.5
- 30 GB / 30 Days for $16
- 50 GB / 30 Days for $30
One great thing about Airalo’s eSIM packages is that they’re all valid for 30 days and affordable for the included data allowance. You can get 15 GB of data for less than $10, which should be an excellent plan for most people.
The Airalo Bulgaria eSIM can access the A1 network, which is arguably the top network provider in the country. It’s a draw between A1 and Vivacom, so expect fast Internet speeds and a stable connection throughout the country.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Generous data allowance
- Monthly plans
Cons
- No unlimited data option
Holafly
Holafly is one of the best providers for an unlimited eSIM data plan in Bulgaria, especially if you don’t need the plan to be valid for an entire month. This is the only international provider that offers unlimited data plans with shorter validity periods:
- 5 Days for $19
- 7 Days for $27
- 10 Days for $34
- 15 Days for $47
- 20 Days for $45
- 30 Days for $64
- 60 Days for $84
- 90 Days for $99
You get access to the Telenor Bulgaria (Yettel) network with this eSIM. Bulgaria has a total of three large network operators in the country, and Yettel is one of them so expect a stable connection and fast Internet.
It’s worth noting that the 30-day plan is the worst option out of the bunch because you can get it cheaper from Maya Mobile. Another important thing is that you won’t be able to share data with a Holafly eSim, so you will get Internet access only on the device on which the eSim is installed.
Pros
- Unlimited data plans
- Short-term and long-term plans
Cons
- Data sharing is not allowed
- The 30-day plan is expensive
Nomad
Nomad has quite a few short-term affordable ESIMs for Bulgaria. You can choose between eSims operated by Truphone or those that have access to multiple network providers in the country:
- 1 GB / 7 Days for $8
- 3 GB / 30 Days for $13
- 5 GB / 30 Days for $15
- 10 GB / 30 Days for $25
- 15 GB / 30 Days for $27
- 20 GB / 30 Days for $33
The Bulgaria eSIM plans with access to multiple network providers are more affordable, but they usually have a shorter validity period. Truphone data packs are often valid for 30 days, but they’re more expensive and there’s no information on which networks you will be able to access in Bulgaria.
Nomad’s eSIM plans for Bulgaria are significantly more expensive than Airalo’s, so I wouldn’t recommend them as a first option unless you’re specifically looking for an eSIM that will allow you to switch between network providers.
Pros
- Wide variety of data packs
- Access to multiple network providers
Cons
- Expensive
SimOptions
Consider a SimOptions eSIMÂ if you want coverage in Bulgaria and other European countries too. This ESIM provider offers three eSim plans for Bulgaria, the most expensive of which includes coverage in 26 other countries throughout Europe:
The first two data plans are expensive, especially when you compare the data and validity with Airalo’s ESIMs. But the third prepaid ESIM data package is an interesting option, particularly for travelers who are planning a trip to several countries in Europe on top of Bulgaria.
Pros
- Regional eSim data plan
- Good value for money
Cons
- Bulgaria-only plans are expensive
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile is the best eSIM provider for a monthly unlimited data plan. It has the cheapest ESIM unlimited data plans valid for 30 days, plus you can choose from plans that are valid in just Bulgaria, or 30 countries in Europe:
- 1 GB / 30 Days for $5
- 3 GB / 30 Days for $8
- 5 GB / 30 Days for $12
- 10 GB / 30 Days for $19
- Unlimited Data / 30 Days for $49
- Unlimited Data (Europe) / 30 Days for $49
The limited-data packs are way too expensive when you have Airalo selling 15 GB for less than $10, so I wouldn’t recommend Maya Mobile if you’re not specifically looking for unlimited data.
What makes this provider such an excellent option is it allows data sharing on its eSIMs, so you can easily set up a hotspot and share your data with other travelers. Also, you will have access to both Vivacom and Yettel 4G LTE networks, which are two of the best and largest network operators in Bulgaria.
Pros
- Cheapest 30-day unlimited data plan
- Data sharing is allowed
- Access to two network operators
Cons
- Limited data packs are expensive
Benefits of Getting an eSIM in Bulgaria
Why should you even consider getting an eSIM for a trip to Bulgaria?
That’s easy – if you want to stay connected everywhere, it’s your only option. While you might be able to get by with free WiFi in the cafes and restaurants in the bigger cities if your travel plans include lying on a sunny beach and hiking, an eSim (or physical sim card) is the only way to guarantee Internet access.
It’s more convenient to get an eSIM because you can purchase it and complete the eSim setup in about 5 minutes, whereas it would take you much longer to find a store that sells sim cards in Bulgaria. You can set up the eSim before your trip and activate it once you arrive in the country, for maximum convenience.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSIMs in Bulgaria
Yettel and Vivacom are two of the largest network operators in Bulgaria that offer eSims. However, neither operator offers eSims for prepaid plans; instead, only postpaid subscribers can sign up for an embedded sim card, usually with an extra fee for the change from a physical to a virtual sim card.
If getting a physical sim card is still an option for you, definitely consider purchasing one of the prepaid packs from these two providers. Not only are they more affordable than the international eSIMs, but they also include a phone number, as well as free minutes and texts, so you can have the full functionality of your phone in Bulgaria.
A1 is another excellent provider in Bulgaria, but they don’t yet offer eSims. If you’re okay with a physical sim card, consider one of their prepaid mobile Internet packages because they are very affordable. You can get 50 GB of data for a little more than $20, which is an amazing value!
Network Speeds in Bulgaria
The top two mobile networks have the best experience and speed if you are coming to Bulgaria. Obviously, speeds are going to be best in the capital Sofia, speeds will be slower and vary more the further you get from developed cities.
Independent testers from Germany have found Yettel to be the best in Bulgaria overall, followed closely by Vivacom. So, if you are shopping for a Bulgarian eSIM be sure to keep those results in mind.
Devices Compatible with eSim in Bulgaria
All devices that support embedded sim technology are compatible with Bulgaria eSims. There’s a long list of phones that support eSIMs, and it includes all iPhones from the Apple iPhone XR and later, Google Pixel 3 devices and newer, and Samsung Galaxy S20 phones and onward. There are quite a few other Android devices that support eSims, both from Samsung and other manufacturers.
The quickest way you can check whether your cell phone supports an eSim is to just dial *#06#. A list of unique serial codes for your phone will show up; if there’s an EID number on that list, it means that your smartphone supports eSims. If you can’t see an EID number on this list at all, I’m afraid you’re stuck with physical sim cards.
Data Needed When Traveling to Bulgaria
Can’t decide how much data you need for a trip to Bulgaria? Considering the data plans from all the providers, I think the Airalo 15 GB plan will be the best option for most people. It’s very affordable, valid for 30 days, and you can surf the Internet as much as you want without worrying that you’ll use too much data.
Even though there are data packs with a smaller data allowance, I wouldn’t recommend them because the difference is just a few dollars, and then if you end up needing more data, you’ll end up overpaying.
Also consider the unlimited data packs from Maya Mobile if you want to share your connection with other travelers, especially if you can split the cost of the eSim with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bulgaria have eSIM?
Yes, Bulgaria has eSims. You can choose from a variety of eSims from international providers, but you can’t purchase an eSim from the local providers in Bulgaria. Vivacom and Yettel are the only two providers that offer eSims in Bulgaria, and only to their postpaid customers.
How much does an eSIM cost in Bulgaria?
The price of an eSIM for Bulgaria depends on the data allowance. The cheapest eSim for Bulgaria is just $5, while the most expensive one costs $99. The best eSim for Bulgaria is $9.5, for 15 GB of data (Airalo).
How do I activate my eSIM in Bulgaria?
Activate your Bulgaria eSim by turning on mobile data and browsing the Internet. That is if you’ve previously set up the eSim, usually by going into network settings, selecting Add a Celluar Plan / Add an eSim, and scanning a QR code. If you run into problems trying to set up or activate the eSim, it’s best to just contact the support team of the eSim provider.
