Are you planning to travel to Bulgaria anytime soon? Do you want to stay connected while exploring the country without incurring huge roaming charges? If yes, then getting a local Bulgaria SIM card from Vivacom mobile operator. This comprehensive guide shares everything about Vivacom SIM cards and eSIM support to help tourists pick the best options.

vivacom-sim

I. Quick facts about Vivacom

Vivacom is the largest telecom provider in Bulgaria with a market share of over 50%.

  • Founded in 1992
  • Full company name is Vivacom Bulgaria EAD.
  • Covers 99% of the country’s population with 2G, over 90% with 3G, and 85% with 4G/LTE.
  • Provides a comprehensive range of telecommunications services.
  • Has the fastest 4G speeds in Bulgaria with average download speed of around 50 Mbps.
  • Offers excellent value prepaid packs suitable for tourists and travelers.
  • Supports eSIM activation for compatible phones .
  • Prepaid SIM cards are available online, at airports, malls and Vivacom stores across the country.

II. Bulgaria Vivacom Coverage and Speed

Before getting a Vivacom SIM card in Bulgaria, it’s good to understand their network coverage and speeds across the country.

1.Vivacom coverage in Bulgaria

Vivacom has the widest 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in Bulgaria:

Vivacom SIM Cards and eSIM coverage
  • Vivacom provides coverage across Bulgaria, including urban areas, towns, and rural regions.
  • The network coverage of Vivacom is designed to reach a significant portion of the population, offering broad connectivity across the country.
  • According to Opensignal’s July 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report, Vivacom’s 5G users spend over a third of their time with an active 5G connection, earning Vivacom the 5G Availability award.
  • Vivacom jointly wins all three 5G experiential awards, including 5G Video Experience, 5G Games Experience, and 5G Voice App Experience.

2. Vivacom speed

Vivacom download speed
Vivacom uplpad speed
  • Vivacom offers competitive download speeds, although it ranks second in terms of average download speeds compared to A1.
  • In the Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report for Bulgaria in July 2023, Vivacom’s download speed experience was statistically tied with Yettel, both trailing behind A1.

III. Vivacom connectivity options for travelers to Bulgaria

As a tourist visiting Bulgaria, you can choose from these popular Vivacom SIM options:

Option Description
Vivacom Prepaid SIM Card A physical SIM card that you can buy in Bulgaria and use to make calls, send texts, and access the internet.
Vivacom eSIM A digital SIM card that you can download to your phone. To use an eSIM, you will need a phone that supports eSIMs.
Vivacom Roaming WiFi routers Use your existing mobile phone plan to connect to the Vivacom network in Bulgaria. You may be charged additional roaming fees.

Overall, Vivacom SIM cards and eSIM are good options for tourists.

IV. Best Vivacom SIM cards for tourists & cost

The table below shows the best Vivacom SIM card plans for tourists and international visitors to consider when visiting Bulgaria.

Plan Name Data Allowance Calling (local and international) Roaming Validity Price (USD)
Basic Plan 2GB Limited minutes included, additional charges for international calls Roaming available with additional charges 30 days $10
Standard Plan 5GB Unlimited local calling, additional charges for international calls Roaming available with additional charges 30 days $20
Premium Plan 10GB Unlimited local and international calling to select countries Roaming available with reduced rates 30 days $30
Traveler Plan 20GB Unlimited local and international calling to select countries Roaming available with reduced rates 60 days $50

So choice of plan depends on your duration of stay and data needs. All packs auto-renew if balance is sufficient.

V. Does Vivacom Bulgaria support eSIM?

Yes, Vivacom offers eSIM for travelers when visiting Bulgaria, however, remember check eSIM compatibility list before buying eSIM.

Benefits of using Vivacom eSIM in Bulgaria:

  • Convenience: Don’t need to physically insert or swap SIM cards in your device. 
  • Dual SIM Capability: Many eSIM-enabled devices allow you to have two active phone numbers simultaneously. 
  • Flexibility: eSIM allows you to switch between different mobile plans. 
  • Remote Activation: eSIM can be easily activated remotely, eliminating the need to visit a physical store.

Esimbulgaria.net is the top provider of Bulgaria eSIM plans, offering travelers an easy digital solution to stay connected without roaming charges. As the country’s #1 eSIM operator, they provide simple QR-coded SIMs that are delivered instantly by email. This allows tourists to leave their physical SIM at home and still access affordable data packages while exploring Bulgaria.

Packages start at 1GB for just $3.50 for 3 days, perfect for short trips. Opt for 7 days of usage with plans between 1GB-50GB from $3.71, or a generous 10-15GB package over 15 days for $3.94. Long stayers can feel secure with their 30-day plans offering 1GB up to a massive 50GB from only $4.30.

With fast 4G speeds nationwide, esimbulgaria.net ensures customers can chat, navigate and stream throughout Bulgaria without worry.

Discover Bulgaria Without Boundaries

Bulgaria eSIM 5 Days
Bulgaria eSIM 5 Days
From $3.61
Bulgaria eSIM 10 Days
Bulgaria eSIM 10 Days
From $3.82
Bulgaria eSIM 30 Days
Bulgaria eSIM 30 Days
From $4.30

VI. Where can you buy a Vivacom SIM card and eSIM?

There are a few main options for travelers to buy Vivacom SIM Card and eSIM:

1. Where to buy Vivacom SIM Card for Bulgaria

  • Vivacom Stores
  • Mobile Phone Retailers
  • Airports
  • Online

2. Where to buy Vivacom Bulgaria eSIM

Vivacom eSIM can be purchased at official store, airport or directly online by tourists before arriving in Bulgaria. 

Vivacom SIM Cards and eSIM

Tips for you when buying SIM Cards in Bulgaria

  • Bring your passport or a valid ID card with you when visiting the store or kiosk
  • Make sure your phone unlocked GSM-compatible or your device supports the frequency bands used by Bulgarian mobile networks.
  • Consider Data Packages
  • Compare Plans and Offers

VII. How to activate Vivacom Bulgaria SIM/eSIM

Activating a new Vivacom SIM card or eSIM is very easy and quick for tourists. Here are the steps:

1.How to use Vivacom SIM Card

  • Purchase a Vivacom SIM card
  • Insert the SIM card
  • Power on your device
  • Activate the SIM card
  • Set APN settings (if required)
  • Top up or purchase a plan

2. How to activate Vivacom Bulgaria eSIM

  • Check device compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality and is compatible with Vivacom’s eSIM service.
  • Obtain an eSIM QR code: Contact Vivacom’s customer service or visit their website to obtain an eSIM QR code. 
  • Scan the QR code: Use your device’s camera to scan the eSIM QR code provided by Vivacom. 
  • Follow the prompts: Confirm your eSIM details, accepting terms and conditions, and authenticating the eSIM activation.
  • Complete the activation: Once the activation process is complete, your eSIM should be activated and ready to use. 

Read more: How to Install Bulgaria eSIM: Full Guide

VIII. Bulgaria Vivacom Call & SMS rates

Here are the standard local call, SMS and data rates when using a Vivacom SIM card in Bulgaria without any pack:

Service Rate (Per Minute/SMS)
Local Calls $0.10
International Calls (EU) $0.15 - $0.30 (varies by country)
International Calls (Outside EU) $0.30 - $3.00 (varies by country)
Incoming Calls (EU) $0.00 (Roam Like at Home)
Incoming Calls (Outside EU) $0.10 - $2.00 (varies by country)
SMS (Local) $0.05
SMS (International) $0.10 - $0.50 (varies by country)

IX. Useful USSD codes for Vivacom Bulgaria SIM/eSIM

Here are some useful USSD codes to monitor and manage your Vivacom Bulgaria SIM card:

  • *121# – Check SIM card number / plan balance
  • *140# – Remaining data balance
  • *110# – Current balance and last 5 transactions
  • *222# – Activation menu for prepaid SIM cards
  • *123*1# – SIM details like IMSI, ICCID etc

So save these codes to easily keep a tab on remaining balances for calls/data/SMS.

X. How to top-up Vivacom Bulgaria SIM/eSIM

Adding more credit on Vivacom is easy using the following methods:

For Physical SIM Card:

  • Visit a Vivacom Store
  • Online Platforms: Check Vivacom’s official website or other online platforms that provide top-up options for Vivacom SIM cards.
  • Scratch Cards/Vouchers: Purchase a Vivacom scratch card or voucher from a store or retailer. 
  • Mobile Apps: If Vivacom offers a mobile app, download it to your smartphone or tablet and explore the top-up options available within the app. 

For eSIM:

  • Vivacom Website: Log in to your Vivacom account on their official website. Navigate to the eSIM management section, where you should find top-up options for your eSIM.
  • Mobile Apps: If Vivacom offers a mobile app, open the app and look for the eSIM management section. 
  • Online Platforms: Check Vivacom’s official website or other online platforms that provide top-up services for Vivacom eSIMs. 

XI. Alternatives to Bulgaria Vivacom

Here are the best alternatives to Vivacom for getting a local prepaid SIM card in Bulgaria:

  • A1: A1 Bulgaria has good 4G coverage and speeds. Their SIM cards and tourist plans offer comparable rates and services similar to Vivacom.
  • Yettel: Telenor prepaid SIM card is another great option for tourists in Bulgaria thanks to low rates and central European roaming benefits.
  • esimbulgaria.net: Provides eSIM data plans that allow tourists to stay connected in Bulgaria without SIM Card needed.

In short, A1 and Yettel serve as dependable options to Vivacom mobile network. Additionally, esimbulgaria.net offers eSIM data plans, allowing you to use a pay-as-you-go roaming solution without the hassle of switching physical SIMs when traveling to Bulgaria.

Travel SIM Plans Tailored For the Bulgaria Experience
Get my eSIM

XII. FAQs about Vivacom in Bulgaria

Do I need to show passport/IDs for a Vivacom SIM card?

Yes, passport verification is mandatory by law at the time of purchasing any Bulgarian SIM card.

Can I use Vivacom SIM in other European countries?

Vivacom has roaming partnerships across Europe and beyond. But roaming data charges are very high. Better to get a local SIM when traveling outside Bulgaria for the best rates.

How to check data usage on my Vivacom SIM?

You can check mobile data usage by dialing *123*1# or using MyVivacom app. This displays available balance and data usage statistics.

Where is the nearest Vivacom store at Sofia Airport?

At Sofia Airport Terminal 2, you’ll find a 24×7 Vivacom store at the public area just before exiting. Very convenient for buying SIM card as soon as you arrive in Bulgaria.

XIII. Final words

Hope this detailed guide has provided complete information on Bulgaria Vivacom SIM cards and eSIM support for tourists. Vivacom has the widest, fastest coverage with great prepaid plans. Their tourist SIM cards deliver convenience while keeping costs low. And eSIM option makes connectivity even smoother.

Just choose your ideal Vivacom plan based on duration of stay, data needs and budget to stay connected across Bulgaria without any hassles. Safe travels!