AiraloMost Destinations
4.8 / 5Most Destinations · 200+ countries$4.50/GBAiralo covers 200+ countries and sells regional bundles that put up to 130 desti…
Full Airalo review→
Compare eSIM Plans for Bulgaria (2026)
Quick answer
Airalo matches short Bulgaria trips with 20GB at $17.03 ($2.43/day on A1). Light users on maps and messaging stay well within that 20GB allowance. For 30-day stays, unlimited plans cost $2.15/day with no data cap. 4G LTE coverage applies across all plan tiers.
Closest per-GB match
$0.81/GB
Across providers · A1
Covers heavy use
$2.62/day
Holafly
Fits privacy needs
Saily
NordVPN-backed
Covers light budgets
$0.80/GB
Nomad
Find your plan in minutes
Your trip length picks the plan
The cheapest provider changes based on how long you stay. Work through these steps to land on the right plan without over-paying.
- 1 · Pick your trip lengthUse the 7 / 14 / 30 day tabs in the comparison table below. Each tab re-ranks providers by estimated cost for that duration, so the top row is the most affordable match for your travel window.
- 2 · Choose fixed or unlimitedShort stays (under 7 days) almost always favor a fixed-data plan. At 14+ days, unlimited daily rates can undercut fixed plans if you stream video. The table shows both side by side at your selected duration.
- 3 · Install before you flyPurchase on the provider's official site, scan the QR code at home on Wi-Fi, and add the eSIM as a second line. Your home SIM stays active throughout.
- 4 · Activate on arrival in BulgariaSwitch your data line to the travel eSIM when you land. Most plans start counting data only from first connection, not from purchase, so you don't lose a day in transit.
Side-by-side pricing
Plans side by side for your dates
Providers re-ranked by estimated trip cost each time you switch duration. Prices are starting rates verified June 2026.
Ranked by estimated cost for a 7-day trip to Bulgaria. Fixed plans assume 1.5 GB/day usage.
| Provider | Type | Est. 7-day cost | Coverage | Network | Rating | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HolaflyUnlimited Daily Plans | Unlimited | $16.87 for 7d | Covers 7 days at $2.41/day | A1 | 4.6/5 | See plan → |
| AiraloMost Destinations | Fixed | $17.03 (20 GB) | 20 GB covers 7d at 1.5 GB/day | Vivacom | 4.8/5 | See plan → |
| SailyBest Privacy | Fixed | from $2.99 | Global starting price | A1 | 4.5/5 | See plan → |
| NomadBudget SE Asia Trips | Fixed | from $0.80 | Global starting price | Telenor | 4.4/5 | See plan → |
1
We may earn a commission from these links. It never changes how plans are matched.
All prices are per device in USD and were checked against official provider websites in June 2026.
The four providers
Providers that cover your trip
HolaflyUnlimited Daily Plans
4.6 / 5Unlimited Daily Plans · 160+ countries$3.90/dayHolafly charges a flat daily rate across 160+ destinations and suits long-haul t…
Full Holafly review→SailyBest Privacy
4.5 / 5Best Privacy · 200+ countries$2.99/GBSaily bundles a Nord Security VPN into every eSIM plan across 200+ destinations,…
Full Saily review→NomadBudget SE Asia Trips
4.4 / 5Budget SE Asia Trips · 200+ countries$0.80/GBNomad drops to $0.80/GB on the Thailand 20 GB tier, with QR delivery under two m…
Full Nomad review→Bulgaria Connectivity at a glance
A weekend in Bulgaria (3 days) needs about 5GB. A 5GB plan costs $5.20, which works out to $1.73/day. Extend to a 7-day trip and the 20GB plan at $17.03 ($2.43/day) becomes the better fit. Compare plans by your exact travel dates to avoid paying for unused data.
A 14-day stay calls for the 20GB plan at $17.03, or $1.22/day. Unlimited daily at $2.33/day on a 14-day commitment saves 11% off the single-day rate. The break-even between fixed and unlimited data hits at day 7.
For 30-day stays (digital nomads, study abroad), unlimited at $2.15/day on a monthly plan drops to $64.45/month. Fixed 20GB at $17.03 covers 13 days of moderate use.
Network coverage in Bulgaria
Carrier choice does not change for short or long trips. All 4 providers route through A1, Vivacom and Telenor in Bulgaria. A 3-day visitor and a 30-day resident connect to the same 4G LTE towers.
Your provider picks the carrier automatically based on signal strength at your location. Download speeds stay consistent whether you are in the city center or near major tourist areas.
- A1: 4G coverage
- Vivacom: 4G coverage
- Telenor: 4G coverage
Which Bulgaria plan should you pick?
3-day trip: $1.73/day. 7-day trip: $2.43/day. 14-day trip: $2.33/day. 30-day trip: $2.15/day. Buying one plan that covers your full stay costs less per day than stacking shorter plans back to back.
Trip-planning context for Bulgaria:
• Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3). • Main gateway: Sofia (SOF). Airport SIM counters charge $5-10 for 5-10GB / 28 days, so an eSIM activated before departure skips the queue.
How to activate your Bulgaria eSIM
Activation takes about five minutes and is best done at home before you fly. The four steps above apply to every provider in this comparison.
Bulgaria eSIM FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which eSIM plan fits a weekend trip to Bulgaria?+
Heading to Bulgaria for a long weekend? Light data use (maps and messaging) runs about 1.5GB over 3 days on A1's 4G LTE network, which the 3GB at $3.47 covers. A moderate user using social media and navigation needs 4 to 5GB, so go with the 5GB at $5.20. Heavy users streaming or video-calling need 10GB or more; buy the largest fixed plan available. For a typical weekend traveler, the 5GB at $5.20 fits most weekend travelers without overpaying for unused data.
How does eSIM cost change for 7 vs 14 vs 30 days in Bulgaria?+
Longer trips to Bulgaria cost less per day because bigger plans spread the price across more days. 7 days: 20GB plan at $17.03 total ($2.43/day). 14 days: 20GB plan at $17.03 total ($1.22/day). 30 days: unlimited at $2.15/day (18% off base rate). The 14-day bracket balances daily rate and flexibility for most travelers visiting Bulgaria.
Can I top up or extend my eSIM mid-trip in Bulgaria?+
You can top up your Bulgaria eSIM through any of the four provider apps while traveling. Airalo lets you buy additional data through the app in real time, and the top-up activates within 60 seconds. Holafly extends your unlimited plan by adding days from the app. Adding one day costs $2.62. Saily and Nomad both support fixed-data top-ups with no reinstallation. A top-up of 1GB costs $2.21, the same as buying a new plan. Buying a larger plan upfront is cheaper per GB than topping up, but the option is always available if you underestimate your usage.
Does eSIM work in Bulgaria?+
Yes, Bulgaria supports eSIM on A1 and Vivacom with 4G LTE connectivity. Google Pixel 3 and later, iPhone XR and later, and Samsung Galaxy S21 and later all work. Download your eSIM profile before departure so you connect the moment your plane touches down in Bulgaria.
Does unused Bulgaria eSIM data roll over to the next trip?+
No, unused data does not roll over. Once your Bulgaria eSIM plan expires, any remaining gigabytes are lost. Buy a plan that matches your actual trip length, not a larger buffer. A 7-day Bulgaria plan like the 20GB tier at $17.03 expires after 7 days whether you use all 20GB or not. If your trip ends early, most providers (Airalo and Holafly) offer refund policies on unused plans within their support window.
Can I use a Bulgaria eSIM across multiple European countries on one trip?+
Single-country eSIM plans for Bulgaria do not extend to other European destinations. For multi-country European trips, Airalo's Eurolink bundle covers 39 EU countries on a single plan with no swapping required at each border. If Bulgaria is your only stop, a single-country plan is cheaper: 20GB at $17.03 for a 7-day trip. EU roaming rules do not apply to travel eSIMs because each plan is a standalone purchase.
Does my Bulgaria eSIM stay active when I cross into a neighboring country?+
No, a single-country Bulgaria eSIM deactivates outside Bulgaria's borders. Plan your data use for the exact days you are in Bulgaria. For trips combining Bulgaria with other European stops, a regional bundle covers the full itinerary on one purchase. A 20GB plan at $17.03 fits a two-week Bulgaria stay, but it stops working the moment you cross the border.
Is a 7-day or 14-day Bulgaria eSIM plan better value?+
Your daily data cost in Bulgaria shrinks when you commit to a longer plan. A 7-day stay fits the 20GB plan at $17.03 ($2.43/day). A 14-day stay fits the 20GB plan at $17.03 ($1.22/day). Buying one correctly-sized plan costs less than buying two smaller plans back-to-back.
What 4G LTE coverage can I expect on a full Bulgaria itinerary?+
Bulgaria eSIMs run on A1 and Vivacom, Telenor at 4G LTE. Coverage holds reliably in tourist areas and city centers. For a full-country itinerary, check the detailed network map before finalizing your carrier preference.
Should I get a fixed data plan or unlimited for a Bulgaria trip?+
Fixed data plans fit trips under 7 days in Bulgaria. At 1.5GB/day the 20GB plan at $17.03 covers a 7-day trip with data to spare. Unlimited for 7 days costs $16.87, which is comparable to a fixed plan. Switch to unlimited if you stream video daily, work remotely, or use navigation continuously. A 14-day unlimited plan costs $32.65 ($2.33/day).