Mobile phone plans in Bulgaria

As a UK citizen, with a UK passport. I've found it difficult to get a good SIM package in Bulgaria.

My main problem has been the inability to get a SIM giving me a Bulgarian phone number, That would be really useful, for example to receive calls and texts from couriers delivering parcels.

I've tried in several locations, Vivacom and A1, in Varna and Balchik, and each time been told that I can't have a SIM with a Bulgarian number, if I only have a UK passport as ID.

Data SIMs, and e-SIMs (no BG number) don't seem to be an issue. Although even then the deals advertised on the websites aren't available in the shops.

I've even tried the 'Virtual Number' services advertised by some international operations, Even then, those systems do work with an incoming call, but don't work with an incoming SMS. Apparently, this is prohibited by the Bulgarian government,

At the moment, I'm using my UK SIM in Bulgaria, with its data package. That works fine, but doesn't solve my problem with incomming calls/SMS to a BG number in Bulgaria

If you have a Residence Card you should be okay; if you don't then it's not surprising that you're having no joy - I imagine that people who aren't legally resident in the UK would have similar problems getting a UK phone contract, although a PAYG SIM might be an option..

@DarryllP we answered to a similar post before… we got a contract off vivacom when we first arrived. The staff told us that we had to pay 400lev for deposit because we didn’t have residency card then. The deposit was then used to pay off the bills each month until they were all gone.

We used my UK passport and got a 2 years contract for phone and internet.

Similar to tutisservis, except we have residenty cards, but not citizenship so 400 lev deposit used to pay monthly bill, also got internet and TV  in same deal with vivacom

Hello all,

I am an EU citizen, what would the requirements be to access internet and phone calls in Varna?

I would appreciate any advice.

Regards

Lexie

@tutisservis Yes, as I needed a company to buy the house, and I was told with that, it was possible to get a contract. But that was relatively expensive, for the short term use I require at the moment. I was looking for a PAYG with a Bulgarian number, that was my problem. Looks like I'll have to wait until I'm in BG more permanently, and then go for a full contract.

Doesn't seem to be problem in the UK to get a PAYG SIM without a contract, although as I understand, these are also used as "burner" phones by criminal elements. Maybe that's why there are more restrictions in other countries.

If you do not need internet, only phone number, try A1 prepaid card. It cost 9BGN and valid for 90 days. If you do not use  for 90 days you will loose money on your account, but you can top it up next time. Make sure you get basic plan, so they do not charge you subscriptions that are not needed. Make sure you replenish it with at least 9BGN before the end of 365 days, to keep the number.