Which is more convenient: buying a SIM locally in Bulgaria or an eSIM?

You can buy a local SIM at Sofia Airport or at carrier shops in the city, but you need to show your passport and go through registration, and sometimes you have to sign a contract in French. A Yeohaengyusim eSIM is far more convenient: if you install it before departure Korea, you are online the moment you reach the airport.

Does data work well in outlying areas such as Rila Monastery or the Balkan Mountains?

It provides about 90% nationwide coverage through the A1 Bulgaria and Telenor Bulgaria networks. A 4G LTE connection is available in most places, not only in cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna but also in the villages near Rila Monastery and at the main trekking bases. However, the signal may weaken on rugged mountain summits or in the remote back country of national parks.

I plan to visit Romania or Greece as well during my trip to Bulgaria. Do I need a separate eSIM?

A Bulgaria-only eSIM can be used only within Bulgaria. If you are visiting Romania or Greece too, it is convenient to choose a Europe-wide plan eSIM. Check Yeohaengyusim's multi-country Europe eSIM plans.

Which season suits a trip to Bulgaria? Does the network differ by season?

In Bulgaria, the rose season in May–June, the Black Sea summer peak season in July–August and the autumn foliage season in October–November are popular. In winter, many travellers also head to the Bansko ski resort. Network quality does not vary much by season, and a Yeohaengyusim eSIM works reliably all year round.

Bulgaria is an EU member. Isn't Korean roaming cheap there?

Bulgaria is an EU member, but the EU's free roaming policy applies to users of SIMs issued in the EU, so it does not apply to Korean carriers' roaming charges. A Yeohaengyusim eSIM is much cheaper than roaming with a Korean carrier, and its data speeds are stable too.

Does eSIM work in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria supports eSIM, and plans start from ₩1,793. Install it with the QR code you receive after buying, then just turn on data roaming after you arrive and you are connected straight away. There is no need to swap your SIM.

Can I keep using my Korean number while travelling in Bulgaria?

Yes. The eSIM works as a data-only second line, so your Korean SIM and number stay as they are. Use the Yeohaengyusim eSIM for data only, and keep receiving calls, texts and KakaoTalk on your Korean number.

Can I add to or extend my Bulgaria eSIM plan?

Yes. When you use up your data or the plan period ends, you can buy a new plan at any time. Keep using the eSIM profile you already installed; there is no need to install it again, so you carry on without interruption.

Can I use tethering (hotspot) in Bulgaria?

Yes. In Bulgaria you can share your eSIM data with other devices such as a laptop or tablet by tethering (hotspot). Shared data also comes out of your plan allowance, so if you tether a lot we recommend choosing a little more data.

Do I set up the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

We recommend installing it (registering the QR code) before you leave, while you have Wi-Fi. Data starts when you turn on data roaming after you arrive in Bulgaria. Just remember "set up before you leave, switch on when you arrive" and you can use the internet as soon as you land.

How many GB of data do I need for a trip to Bulgaria?

For mostly maps and messaging, we recommend about 1 GB a day; to use plenty of social media and photo uploads, about 2 GB a day. If you stream a lot of video or tether a lot, an unlimited plan is better. You can always buy more if you run short, so it is fine to choose a little extra at first.

Does my smartphone support eSIM?

You can use it if your phone supports eSIM. iPhone supports it from the XS and XR onwards; Galaxy phones sold in Korea from the S23, Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 onwards. Dial *#06# in the phone app: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. If it is SIM-locked, it needs to be unlocked.

Bulgaria eSIM plans

Instant delivery

A travel eSIM for Bulgaria starts from ₩1,793 and works as soon as you buy it. In Bulgaria it connects automatically to local networks such as A1 Bulgaria · Telenor Bulgaria · Yettel Bulgaria · Vivacom (4G/LTE, 5G where supported), with population coverage of about 90%. Install it with the QR code before you leave and you can use the internet as soon as you land, with no roaming setup.

Sent instantly by email
30-day refund
Customer support in Korean
Credit card · Apple Pay

Bulgaria eSIM at a glance

Price: From ₩1,793
Local networks: A1 Bulgaria · Telenor Bulgaria · Yettel Bulgaria · Vivacom
Network: 4G/LTE
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: Maps and messaging 1 GB a day · more room 2 GB a day · video: unlimited

eSIM plans you can use in Bulgaria

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	₩1,793
Unlimited	3 days	₩6,012
Unlimited	5 days	₩9,026
Unlimited	7 days	₩12,793
Unlimited	10 days	₩17,313
Unlimited	15 days	₩25,601
Unlimited	30 days	₩49,709
1 GB	7 days	₩2,999
2 GB	15 days	₩3,752
3 GB	30 days	₩4,505
5 GB	30 days	₩6,766
10 GB	30 days	₩11,286
20 GB	30 days	₩18,067
50 GB	30 days	₩36,902

Bulgaria, the hidden gem of Eastern Europe, is a destination quietly drawing attention among Korean travellers these days. It is full of charms, from the old-world alleys and splendid Orthodox churches of the capital, Sofia, to the Black Sea resort city of Varna and Kazanlak, famous for its rose festival. Thanks to good-value prices and still-unspoilt natural scenery, travellers tend to be very satisfied with their trips. But getting around an unfamiliar Eastern European city without map searches or live transport information is not easy. If you install a Yeohaengyusim eSIM before departure, you can use the internet without interruption right after landing at Sofia Airport. You don't need to change SIM cards or to hunt for a local carrier's shop. While you explore every corner of Bulgaria, Yeohaengyusim will keep you reliably connected.

Flight time from Korea

About 12–13 hours (no direct flights, with a layover)

Time difference

7 hours behind Korea (UTC+2; a 6-hour difference during daylight saving time)

Best season to go

May–June (rose season), July–August (Black Sea beaches), December–March (skiing)

Plug type

Type C/F (most Korean devices need no adapter)

Why you need a travel eSIM for Bulgaria

Bulgaria is still an unfamiliar country to Korean travellers, so local information is not easy to come by. In cities such as Sofia and Plovdiv, you will often need to look up public transport routes and restaurant reviews in real time, and at Black Sea resorts you need to handle accommodation check-in information and activity bookings online. Once you leave town, for example for Rila Monastery or trekking routes in the Balkan Mountains, Wi-Fi is often hard to find, so mobile data matters even more. A Yeohaengyusim eSIM provides 4G LTE speeds with more than 90% nationwide coverage through the networks of Bulgaria's main carriers, A1 Bulgaria and Telenor Bulgaria. Installation takes a single QR code scan before departure Korea, and there is none of the hassle of buying a separate SIM locally. You can use Google Maps, translation apps and social media as much as you like without worrying about roaming charges, so even an unfamiliar trip to Eastern Europe feels much more relaxed.

Network coverage in Bulgaria

Carrier

A1 Bulgaria

+ Telenor Bulgaria

Network

4G/LTE

Coverage

90%

How do I install a Bulgaria eSIM?

1
Buy a plan
Choose a data plan for Bulgaria and complete payment.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email we sent and point your phone camera at its QR code.
3
Install the eSIM
Complete the eSIM installation as prompted. Doing it before you leave is simplest.
4
Connect on arrival
Once you land in Bulgaria, switch data roaming on and you're online.

1
Buy a plan
Choose a data plan for Bulgaria and complete payment.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email we sent and point your phone camera at its QR code.
3
Install the eSIM
Complete the eSIM installation as prompted. Doing it before you leave is simplest.
4
Connect on arrival
Once you land in Bulgaria, switch data roaming on and you're online.

Which plan is right for me?

Short trip

For a short 3–7 day trip, an unlimited data plan is ideal.

Business trip

We recommend a high-data plan with plenty for video calls and email.

Long stay

Staying a month or more? A large-data plan gives the best value.

Family trip

Families sharing a connection across multiple devices should pick a tethering-enabled plan with a generous data allowance.

eSIM, local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi: what suits a trip to Bulgaria best?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Pocket Wi-Fi
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy locally	Pick up / delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Separate device
Price	From ₩1,793	₩10,000~50,000	₩5,000~15,000/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed data	Daily rental
Best for	Ideal for travellers	Long stays	Families / groups

How about these destinations?

France

Italy

Spain

United Kingdom

Åland Islands

Andorra

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

See all Europe eSIMs Greece eSIM eSIM installation help See all destinations eSIM vs carrier roaming — which is cheaper?How many GB of eSIM data do I need?Best travel eSIM — how to choose

Bulgaria eSIM FAQ

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