Bulgaria eSIM providers at a glance

ProviderDataDurationPriceHotspot
Airalo Top pick1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$4.50 – $22YesDetails →
Yesim Unlimited1 – Unlimited3 – 30 days$1.50 – $48YesDetails →
Saily1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$3.49 – $20YesDetails →
DrimsimPay-as-you-goNo expiry~$3.00/GBYesDetails →

Starting prices shown. Plans and pricing change — verify on Airalo, Yesim, Saily, or Drimsim before purchasing.

Detailed provider reviews for Bulgaria

Airalo

Recommended

Airalo partners with A1 Bulgaria and other major carriers in Bulgaria for reliable coverage. Polished app, wide plan range, proven reliability.

1 GB
$4.50 · 7 days
3 GB
$8.50 · 15 days
5 GB
$11.50 · 30 days
10 GB
$16.00 · 30 days
20 GB
$26.00 · 30 days
Pros
  • Partners with A1 Bulgaria — strong local coverage
  • Proven reliability with millions of users
  • Clean app with real-time data tracking
  • Regional plans available for multi-country trips
  • Hotspot/tethering on all plans
Cons
  • Not always the cheapest per GB
  • 1 GB plan insufficient for heavy users
  • No true unlimited option in all countries
  • Slightly pricier at entry level than Saily
Visit Airalo →

Yesim

Best price

Yesim offers unlimited data plans for Bulgaria — ideal for digital nomads and heavy users. Competitive pricing on larger packages.

1 GB
$1.50 · 3 days
5 GB
$7.50 · 14 days
10 GB
$12.00 · 30 days
Unlimited
$27.60 · 7 days
Pros
  • Unlimited data plans available
  • SwitchLess network technology for best signal
  • Competitive pricing on larger packages
  • Real-time usage monitoring
Cons
  • Fewer budget small-data plans
  • Fair usage cap on unlimited (~70 GB/mo)
  • VPN feature iOS-only
  • Fewer user reviews than Airalo
Visit Yesim →

Saily

Privacy-focused

Saily provides Bulgaria plans with built-in ad blocking and web protection. Cheapest entry at $3.49 with NordVPN privacy features.

1 GB
$3.49 · 7 days
3 GB
$7.99 · 30 days
5 GB
$11.99 · 30 days
20 GB
$22.99 · 30 days
Pros
  • Built-in ad blocker and web protection
  • Cheapest 1 GB entry plan
  • NordVPN security pedigree
  • Clean minimal app
Cons
  • Fewer countries (150+) than Airalo
  • Newer provider with fewer reviews
  • 30-day activation window
  • No unlimited option
Visit Saily →

Drimsim

Pay-as-you-go

Drimsim works in Bulgaria on a pay-per-MB basis. Useful as backup or for multi-country trips.

Pay-as-you-go
~$4.00/GB
No expiry
Balance never expires
Pros
  • Pay only for data you use
  • Works in 197 countries
  • Balance never expires
  • Good backup for multi-country trips
Cons
  • Higher per-GB cost than prepaid
  • No bulk discounts
  • Basic app
  • Not suitable as primary data
Visit Drimsim →

How much data do you need in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is one of Europe's cheapest destinations — data included. Good Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes. Mobile data essential for bus schedules and navigation.

Our recommendation: 3 GB for a week. Very affordable.

Network coverage in Bulgaria

A1 and Vivacom have the widest coverage. 4G covers Sofia, Plovdiv, Black Sea resorts, and main highways. Mountain hiking areas may have 3G.

Tips for using an eSIM in Bulgaria

EU plan covers Bulgaria. If combining with Romania, Greece, or Turkey (Turkey is NOT EU), use a regional eSIM for the EU portions.

Bulgaria uses Lev (BGN). Not Euro. eSIM pricing in USD avoids currency confusion.

Frequently asked questions

Airalo is the most reliable choice for Bulgaria with strong local carrier partnerships. For unlimited data, Yesim offers the best value. Budget travelers should start with Saily's $3.49 plan.
For typical tourist use (maps, messaging, social media): 3–5 GB per week. Heavy users who work remotely or stream should budget 10+ GB or choose unlimited.
Yes. Modern smartphones support dual SIM. Keep your physical SIM for calls/SMS while using the eSIM for data. You'll still receive verification codes on your home number.
For most travelers, yes. eSIM activates instantly without passport registration or queues. Coverage uses the same networks as local SIMs. The convenience advantage is significant.