Destination
Bulgaria eSIM
Bulgaria blends Black Sea resorts in Varna and Burgas with Sofia's Vitosha views, Plovdiv's Roman theatre and mountain monasteries. Having data when you land at Sofia or the coast keeps bus tickets, ski transfers and seaside restaurant bookings on track from day one. That is what NXTL is for. One eSIM for Bulgaria and 180+ other destinations, billed per gigabyte as you go, with leftover balance that never expires. Connect through A1 Bulgeria, Vivacom Bulgarian, Yettel when listed, keep your usual number for calls and bank texts, and skip buying plastic SIMs in Sofia or Plovdiv.
Live pricing
Network rates in Bulgaria
Rates are per gigabyte of usage from your balance — not the eSIM purchase price. By default the cheapest network tier is enabled, so your eSIM steers to the lowest available rates; you can still pick a network manually in the app if you prefer. Full pricing page
| Network | Technology | Rate per GB |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Bulgeria Lowest rate | 5G LTE | $0.78/GB |
| Vivacom Bulgarian | 5G LTE | $0.85/GB |
| Yettel | 5G LTE | $0.92/GB |
By default, NXTL steers your eSIM to the cheapest available network tier. You can still pick a network manually in the app if you prefer.
Trip cost calculator
What will data cost you in Bulgaria?
Your estimate
Pay-as-you-go: there is no daily allowance or data cap. You use what you need from your balance. Estimates use the selected network’s current per-GB rate; by default NXTL steers to the cheapest available network tier.
Data use
How much data do travellers actually use?
Light
Maps, messaging and email on the go
Moderate
Social apps, browsing and music streaming
Heavy
Video calls, HD streaming and hotspot use
Costs use the cheapest network tier, which is enabled by default on NXTL eSIMs and steers you to the lowest available rates. Actual usage varies by traveller.
Why NXTL here
What NXTL changes in Bulgaria
3 networks, cheapest tier by default
By default NXTL steers to the cheapest available network tier. You can still pick a network manually in the app if you prefer.
5G where verified
A 5G badge appears only on networks we can reliably match to technology data — never a guess.
Below the NXTL median
The lowest per-GB rate here is currently below the median rate across all NXTL-covered destinations.
Keeps working across borders
The same eSIM and the same balance continue in neighbouring destinations — nothing to re-buy at the border.
Balance never expires
Whatever you don’t use stays in your account for the next trip. No validity clock.
5% back in Tokens
NXTL Rewards returns 5% of usage as Tokens you can redeem into spendable balance.
Connectivity guide
Staying connected in Bulgaria
A1, Yettel and Vivacom cover cities and major highways on 4G; Rhodope and Rila mountain villages can thin out, and some remote ski lifts fade at altitude. Black Sea beach strips are generally well served in summer. When you use NXTL in Bulgaria, your phone attaches to local networks such as A1 Bulgeria, Vivacom Bulgarian, Yettel; the live table on this page is the current list.
Setup takes minutes at home. For Bulgaria, install NXTL while you still have reliable Wi-Fi, keep your home line active for calls and bank texts, and switch on eSIM data when you land (for example via Sofia Airport (SOF)) so you can navigate straight to Sofia. Top up later if you need more; unused balance stays yours.
Prepaid SIMs are sold at airports, malls and operator shops; EU ID or passport registration is quick. Lev-priced data packs are among the cheaper options in the EU. NXTL is the lower-friction option for most visitors to Bulgaria. You are not shopping for a SIM in Sofia after a long flight — the eSIM is already on your phone, billed pay-as-you-go, with credit that carries to your next destination.
The reason travellers choose NXTL for Bulgaria — and for trips that do not stop there — is continuity. One eSIM, pay-as-you-go pricing, no expiry, and no new SIM when you leave Sofia for the next country. Your leftover credit is still waiting.
The Sofia–Plovdiv motorway is well covered, but winding Shipka Pass routes reward having maps cached before you lose bars in a tunnel. That is where NXTL helps in Bulgaria: one eSIM ready before you arrive, billed only for the data you actually use.
Local SIMs and roaming
Prepaid SIMs are sold at airports, malls and operator shops; EU ID or passport registration is quick. Lev-priced data packs are among the cheaper options in the EU. Most holiday and business trips to Bulgaria do not need a local number. NXTL covers the data side cleanly so you can spend time on the trip, not on SIM paperwork in Sofia.
Your options
Other ways to get data in Bulgaria
An honest look at the alternatives — each has cases where it makes sense.
Roaming with your home plan
Zero setup, but daily roaming passes and out-of-bundle rates add up quickly on longer trips. Fine for a weekend; expensive for weeks.
Airport SIM counters
Available on arrival, but often with queues, ID registration and tourist pricing. An eSIM installed before you fly skips all of it.
Local prepaid SIM
Can be economical for month-long stays if you find a store and handle registration. For shorter trips, the time cost usually outweighs the saving.
Fixed-validity eSIM bundles
Simple upfront pricing, but unused gigabytes expire with the validity clock. NXTL is pay-as-you-go: your balance stays yours.
Multi-country travel
One balance continues across borders
Leaving Bulgaria? The same eSIM and the same balance keep working at each destination’s own rate — no new SIM, no new bundle, no expiry.
Nearby destinations
Setup
Installed in minutes, ready before you land
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Buy the Global eSIM
Checkout takes a minute and the QR code arrives instantly by email.
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Install on Wi-Fi
Scan the QR code at home or at the airport — before the flight is easiest.
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Land connected
Enable the eSIM for data on arrival. Usage is billed per GB from your balance.
FAQ
Bulgaria data questions, answered
Yes, where Bulgaria is in NXTL coverage. Your phone connects to local networks listed on this page — often A1 Bulgeria, Vivacom Bulgarian, Yettel — including everyday use in places like Sofia.
Rates for Bulgaria are shown live on this page and on the pricing page because they change over time. NXTL is pay-as-you-go: you only pay for the data you use.
NXTL’s travel eSIM does not give you a local Bulgaria phone number, so you skip the shop ID process that local prepaid SIMs usually need. Keep your usual number for calls and bank texts.
Install on Wi-Fi before you fly. Enable data after you land — for example at Sofia Airport (SOF) — so you are not relying on airport Wi-Fi.
No. Credit left after Bulgaria stays in your NXTL account with no expiry date, ready for later trips where NXTL has coverage.
Yes. The same NXTL eSIM and balance keep working in other covered countries, so Bulgaria does not have to be a disposable tourist SIM.
A local SIM can be right for a long stay with lots of local calls. For most visits to Bulgaria, NXTL is simpler: install before you travel, pay as you go, skip the desk, and keep leftover credit for the next country.
Ready for Bulgaria?
Global eSIM $11.99 · includes $10.00 credit · balance never expires