Bulgaria combines a capital with Roman ruins under its streets, the old town of Plovdiv, monasteries such as Rila, ski resorts like Bansko and Borovets, and a long Black Sea coast around Varna and Burgas. With an EU SIM, Bulgaria is covered by Roam Like at Home, and coverage is good in towns and along the main roads. Visitors with a British, American or Asian SIM usually pay roaming by the day.
Two things are new or easy to miss: since 1 January 2026 prices are in euros, and three of Bulgaria's five neighbours are outside EU roaming.
Key facts for Bulgaria
- EU roaming: covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: A1, Vivacom, Yettel (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; ambulance 150, fire 160, police 166
- Embassies: in Sofia
Sofia and Plovdiv
Sofia's metro runs from Terminal 2 of the airport to the city centre, and coverage is good across the capital. In Sofia and Plovdiv, take taxis from companies that display their fares on the window, or order one through an app, rather than accepting offers from drivers at the airport.
The euro and paying
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so prices, cash machines and card payments are all in euros. Cards are accepted in cities and resorts; in villages and at mountain huts, carry some cash.
Cyrillic signs
Street signs, menus and timetables are often written only in Cyrillic, especially outside Sofia and the resorts. A translation app that reads text through the camera makes them much easier.
Turkey, Serbia and North Macedonia
Bulgaria borders Romania and Greece, both in the EU, but also Turkey, Serbia and North Macedonia, which are outside EU roaming. Near those borders your phone can switch to a foreign network, and EU plans can charge for it; if you stay close to them, choose a Bulgarian network manually. A plan for Bulgaria alone does not cover Istanbul or Thessaloniki, so for a combined trip choose a regional plan.
The mountains and the coast
In the Rila, Pirin and Rhodope mountains, coverage is good in the resorts and patchy on high trails such as the Seven Rila Lakes or Musala. For an accident in the mountains, call 112 or the mountain rescue service. Along the Black Sea, coverage is strong in resorts such as Sunny Beach, Nessebar and Sozopol.
Getting connected
EU SIM: Bulgaria counts as home for roaming. A travel eSIM is worth it if your tariff includes little data abroad, or if you are continuing into Turkey.
Arriving from outside the EU: set up a travel eSIM before departure by scanning its QR code. Its days start counting when it first connects in Bulgaria, and your own number stays available for texts and bank codes.
Bulgarian prepaid SIMs are sold in operator shops and at kiosks, and they are registered with an identity document.
Consular protection: who to call in Bulgaria
- 112 reaches every emergency service; 150 is an ambulance, 160 the fire service and 166 the police.
- 02 963 2000 is the mountain rescue service.
- Embassies are in Sofia. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- Emergency phrases in Bulgarian are ready to show on screen in the app.
Questions travellers ask about Bulgaria
Does Bulgaria use the euro?
Yes, since 1 January 2026.
Does my EU plan work near the Turkish border?
Inside Bulgaria, yes, but near the border your phone can switch to a Turkish network, which is outside EU roaming.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Bulgaria?
A1, Vivacom or Yettel, depending on the plan, with 4G and 5G where available.
Who do I call in the mountains?
112, or the mountain rescue service on 02 963 2000.
The short version
From the EU, your plan covers Bulgaria; watch the Turkish, Serbian and North Macedonian borders. From outside the EU, install a travel eSIM before you fly, pay in euros, and save 112.
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