Cheap Sim Card

A1 Bulgaria SIM card: what a visitor can buy, and when it beats a travel eSIM

A1 sells a no-registration data SIM and eSIM plus a calls-and-data holiday pack. Here is what A1's own pages say, and what they leave out.

By · Updated

An A1 Bulgaria SIM card is a sensible pick if you want a local number and local rates for more than a few days, and a worse one if you only need data for a long weekend. A1 sells two things a visitor can use: a prepaid starter pack for calls and data, and a data-only prepaid SIM that also comes as an eSIM. We read A1's own pages on 8 October 2026. This is desk research, not a test of the network.

Which A1 Bulgaria SIM card can a visitor buy?

Holiday Plus starter pack. A1 lists it at 6 BGN, with a recommended price of 3.07 EUR, in a Trio SIM that fits standard, micro and nano slots. It comes with starting bonuses valid for 10 days after activation: 30 minutes to 50 countries and 1,500 MB of mobile data. A1 says the bonuses arrive within two hours of activation. After that you pay per use: 0.09 EUR a minute to fixed lines, 0.19 EUR to mobiles, 0.07 EUR per SMS and 0.14 EUR per MB. Add-on packs run from 5.11 EUR for 2,000 MB (10 days) to 15.33 EUR for 5,000 MB (30 days). The page does not mention eSIM or 5G.

A1 Prepaid Data 15 GB. This is the A1 Bulgaria prepaid option closest to a travel plan. A1 prices it at 7.67 EUR for either an eSIM or a physical SIM, with 15 GB plus unlimited data for the first five days. The page also advertises a 5 GB bonus for activations until 31 August 2026, which has passed, so do not count on it. It has no SMS and no calls, works only on the A1 Bulgaria network, and A1 says it can be had "without registration". Using 5G needs a compatible phone.

Do you need a passport to buy an A1 prepaid SIM?

A1's data-SIM page says no registration, and it does not mention ID. The Holiday Plus page does not describe registration either. We could not find a statement on whether a shop asks for a passport, so if you buy over the counter, bring one. Bulgaria's other networks work differently: Vivacom says its prepaid portal asks for an identity card or passport.

A1 Bulgaria SIM card coverage and 5G

A1's pages say the data SIM includes access to A1's 5G network for compatible phones. They do not give population coverage figures, a 4G footprint or a list of 5G cities, and neither do we. Check A1's coverage map before you rely on a remote area. Our network notes for Bulgaria say A1 is good in populated areas, but that is an unverified lead, not something A1 states.

A1 Bulgaria eSIM or a travel eSIM?

The A1 eSIM costs the same as the plastic SIM and installs without a shop visit, which helps if you land late. Its limits are real: data only, one country, and the 15 GB pack runs for 25 days. A travel eSIM can be cheaper for a few days, and it may cover neighbouring countries. Our Bulgaria comparison and cheapest eSIM page set out the options. Travel eSIM sellers rarely say which Bulgarian network they use, so you cannot assume it is A1.

If you want a local number with calls, the A1 Bulgaria SIM card sold as Holiday Plus is the cheaper way in. For data alone, the 15 GB SIM is simple. For a short trip on a tight budget, compare first. The Bulgaria hub lists the rest, including Yettel, whose tourist eSIM is priced at 10.23 EUR for 25 GB.

What A1's site does not say

A1's pages do not give a prepaid SIM price for the data SIM beyond the 7.67 EUR plan price, do not say where in Bulgaria each product is stocked, and do not state an ID rule. A1 mentions its shops and an online store with free delivery, but not which product is sold where. For current prices, see A1's own site.

Common questions

Is an A1 Bulgaria SIM card good for tourists?

It suits visitors staying a week or more who want a local number or plenty of data. A1 sells a Holiday Plus starter pack and a 15 GB data SIM or eSIM. It is a poor fit for a two-day stop, where a travel eSIM may cost less.

Does A1 Bulgaria sell an eSIM?

Yes. A1 lists its Prepaid Data 15 GB at 7.67 EUR as either an eSIM or a physical SIM at the same price. The page describes data only, with no SMS, and says it works only on the A1 Bulgaria network.

Do I need to register or show a passport for an A1 prepaid SIM?

A1's data-SIM page says it is sold without registration. A1's pages do not say whether a shop will ask for ID, so carry your passport when buying in person. Other Bulgarian networks do state an ID requirement.

How much is the A1 Holiday Plus starter pack?

A1 lists a starter price of 6 BGN, with a recommended price of 3.07 EUR. It includes 30 minutes to 50 countries and 1,500 MB for 10 days. Prices can change, so confirm on A1's site before buying.

Does A1 Bulgaria have 5G?

A1's data SIM page says activation includes access to its 5G network, and that you need a compatible phone. The pages we read give no city list or coverage percentage, so check A1's coverage map for your route.

Sources and further reading