How much does it cost to call Bulgaria with Sayfone?

Sayfone offers calls to Bulgaria starting at 68¢ per minute with transparent per-minute billing. There are no hidden fees, connection charges, or monthly commitments.

What is the country code for Bulgaria?

Bulgaria's country code is +359. When calling from the US, dial 011 followed by 359, then the area code and local number. From a mobile phone, use +359 directly.

Do I need to download an app to call Bulgaria?

No. Sayfone works directly in your web browser on any device — desktop, tablet, or smartphone. There's nothing to install.

Can I call Bulgarian mobile phones, not just landlines?

Yes. Sayfone connects calls to any Bulgarian phone number, including mobile numbers (prefixes 087, 088, 089) and landlines across all area codes.

What's the time difference between the US and Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time when both regions observe daylight saving. During winter, the difference can be 7 hours as well depending on exact DST transition dates. Bulgaria uses EET (UTC+2) in winter and EEST (UTC+3) in summer.

Why is Viber so popular in Bulgaria but I still need a phone service?

Viber has approximately 90% market share in Bulgaria for messaging. However, Viber only works for free when both parties have the app and internet access. To call landlines, businesses, government offices, or people without smartphones, you need a service that terminates on the actual phone network — which is exactly what Sayfone does.

Do I need to drop the '0' when dialing a Bulgarian number from abroad?

Yes. Bulgarian domestic numbers use a leading '0' as a trunk code, but when dialing internationally you replace that '0' with +359. For example, a Sofia number that's 02 1234567 domestically becomes +359 2 1234567 from abroad.

Can I call Bulgaria from my phone's browser or only from a computer?

Sayfone works on any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — on both mobile and desktop. You can call Bulgaria from your iPhone, Android, laptop, or tablet.

Is call quality good to Bulgaria?

Yes. Sayfone routes calls through premium international phone networks. Bulgaria has modern digital switching infrastructure in all major cities, so call quality is consistently high for both landline and mobile connections.

What are the main mobile carriers in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has three major mobile network operators: A1 Bulgaria (formerly Mobiltel/M-tel), Yettel (formerly Telenor/Globul), and Vivacom (formerly BTC). All three provide nationwide coverage.

International Calling

Cheap Calls to Bulgaria — Starting at 68¢/min

Call any Bulgarian landline or mobile directly from your browser or phone. Crystal-clear connections, transparent per-minute pricing, no hidden fees.

Call Bulgaria Now

No app download required — call from any browser
Transparent per-minute billing with no connection fees
Works on mobile, desktop, and tablet

Estimate cost

🇧🇬

Bulgaria

Country code +359

$0.68

Landline

$0.78

Mobile

~60%

vs retail*

Average call quality

*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.

Simple steps

See your exact savings with Sayfone

Drag the slider to match your Bulgaria call volume. See what you're spending versus what you could be spending with Sayfone.

Monthly call minutes

Drag slider to adjust

220

min / month

Call type

AT&T / Verizon$7,330

~$33.32/min

T-Mobile$5,535

~$25.16/min

Calling cards$3,291

~$14.96/min

Google Voice$748

~$3.40/min

Sayfone$150

$0.680/min

Annual saving vs. AT&T

Based on 220 min/month

$86,170

Try Sayfone Free

GETTING STARTED

How to Call Bulgaria in 3 Easy Steps

You don't need a calling card, special hardware, or an app to call Bulgaria. Just open your browser, enter a number, and connect.

Instant access

Step 1

Open Your Browser

Visit Sayfone from any device — desktop, tablet, or smartphone. No downloads or sign-ups required to get started.

Dialer

+00 000 000 00

123

Start Calling Now

Step 2

Enter a Bulgarian Number

Type the full number starting with +359, including the area code for landlines or the mobile prefix. Our dialer validates the format for you.

HD audio from your browser

Step 3

Connect and Talk

Hit call and you're connected over a high-quality line. You'll see real-time billing so you always know exactly what you're spending.

UNDERSTANDING COSTS

Why International Calls to Bulgaria Can Be Expensive

Despite Bulgaria's modernized telecom infrastructure, calling the country from abroad can carry steep per-minute charges. Here's what drives those costs.

Bulgaria's telecom market is dominated by three mobile network operators — A1 Bulgaria, Yettel, and Vivacom — which limits competitive downward pressure on international termination fees.

Three-Operator Oligopoly

Bulgaria's mobile market is controlled by A1 Bulgaria, Yettel, and Vivacom. With only three major operators, international termination rates remain relatively high compared to markets with more competition.

[1]Bulgaria Telecom MNO Market – Mordor Intelligence

Mobile Termination Charges

Calls to Bulgarian mobile numbers are typically more expensive than landline calls because mobile operators charge higher interconnect fees for completing calls on their wireless networks.

Legacy Carrier Markups

Traditional US and European carriers often add significant markups on top of already-elevated Bulgarian termination fees, making a standard international call to Bulgaria considerably more expensive than it needs to be.

Transition from Voice to Data Revenue

Bulgarian operators are pivoting toward data-centric revenue streams with 5G rollouts and fiber expansion. As voice revenue shrinks domestically, operators have less incentive to lower international termination fees.

[1]Bulgaria Telecom MNO Market – Mordor Intelligence

Sources

1
Bulgaria Telecom MNO Market Report – Mordor Intelligence
Supports three-operator market structure and market size claims
2
Telephone numbers in Bulgaria – Wikipedia
Supports numbering plan and BTC privatization history
3
Bulgaria – Information and Communications Technologies – U.S. International Trade Administration
Supports internet usage and ICT market claims

CALLING OPTIONS

How People Actually Call Bulgaria Today

Bulgarians and the diaspora use a mix of internet messaging apps, traditional carriers, and VoIP services. Each option has trade-offs in cost, quality, and reach.

Viber

Free (app-to-app)Most popular in Bulgaria

~90% market share

Viber is the dominant messaging app in Bulgaria with an estimated 90% market share. App-to-app calls are free but require both parties to have the app and a stable internet connection. Viber Out offers paid calls to regular phone numbers.

Free (app-to-app)Widely used globally

Widely used globally

WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app but is secondary to Viber in Bulgaria. Useful for connecting with Bulgarians who also communicate internationally, but requires both parties to use the app.

Traditional Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile)

Often $1–3+/minExpensive

Expensive

US and European carriers charge steep per-minute rates for calls to Bulgaria, often with additional connection fees. Convenient but costly for regular callers.

Sayfone (Browser-Based VoIP)

Competitive per-minute ratesRecommended

Recommended

Call any Bulgarian phone number from your browser with transparent per-minute pricing. No app installation, no contracts, and the call terminates on a real phone line — not an app.

Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.

Sources

1
Viber – Wikipedia (Bulgaria market share)
Supports Viber dominance claim in Bulgaria
2
Most Popular Messaging Apps – Adam Connell
Supports Viber as #1 messaging app in Bulgaria
3
Bulgaria ICT – U.S. International Trade Administration
Supports 85%+ internet calling usage stat

WHEN APPS FALL SHORT

Why Viber and WhatsApp Aren't Always Enough for Calling Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the world's strongest Viber markets, and over 85% of Bulgarians use the internet for phone and video calls. But app-based calling still has significant blind spots.

Sayfone's advantage

Unlike app-to-app calling, Sayfone connects you to actual landlines and mobile numbers in Bulgaria. Your call arrives as a regular phone call on the other end — no internet needed on their side.

Reach any Bulgarian phone number — landlines, mobiles, and business lines
Call rings on their actual phone, no app required on their end
Works even when the recipient has no internet access
HD-quality audio routed through premium phone networks

Start Calling Bulgaria

The problem

Not Everyone Uses Viber
While Viber dominates in Bulgaria, not all contacts — especially older family members, businesses, or government offices — use the app. You can't reach a landline or a non-Viber mobile through free app calling.
Rural and Mountain Areas Have Weaker Internet
Bulgaria's internet infrastructure is strong in cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, but connectivity quality drops in rural and mountainous regions. VoIP app calls can suffer from dropped connections and poor audio in these areas.
3
28% of Households Lack Home Internet
A significant portion of Bulgarian households still don't have internet access at home, which makes it impossible to reach those contacts via Viber, WhatsApp, or any app-based calling method.
- [1]Bulgaria ICT – U.S. International Trade Administration
Business and Official Calls Need Real Phone Lines
When calling Bulgarian businesses, medical offices, banks, or government agencies, you need to dial their actual phone number. Messaging apps can't connect to these lines.

Sources

1
Bulgaria ICT – U.S. International Trade Administration
Supports 85% internet calling stat

CALLING TIPS

Smart Tips for Calling Bulgaria

Get the timing right and make a great impression. Bulgaria is on Eastern European Time, and calling etiquette blends Balkan warmth with professional formality.

Time & offsets

Bulgaria Standard Time

UTC+2 (EET)

Winter: last Sunday in October – last Sunday in March

Bulgaria Summer Time

UTC+3 (EEST)

Summer: last Sunday in March – last Sunday in October

Time Difference from US East Coast

+7 hours

When both observe daylight saving

Best time to call (personal)

6:00–8:00 PM Bulgaria time (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET)

Best time to call (business)

9:00 AM–5:00 PM Bulgaria time (2:00 AM–10:00 AM ET)

Avoid calling

Before 9:00 AM or after 10:00 PM Bulgaria time

Calling tips

Bulgarians Use 24-Hour Time
Schedules, timetables, and appointments in Bulgaria are typically stated in 24-hour format. If someone says 'at 17:00,' they mean 5:00 PM.
Head-Shake Means 'Yes'
Bulgaria is famous for its reversed head gestures — shaking your head side-to-side means 'yes' and nodding means 'no.' While this won't affect phone calls, it's useful cultural context for video calls.
Name Days Are Important
Bulgarians celebrate name days (имен ден) with the same importance as birthdays. Calling to wish someone a happy name day is a meaningful gesture.
Drop the Leading Zero
When dialing a Bulgarian number from abroad, always replace the leading '0' in the area code or mobile prefix with +359. For example, 088 becomes +359 88.

Etiquette

Greet Formally First
Start business calls with a formal greeting. Use 'Здравейте' (Zdraveyte) as a polite hello. Titles and surnames are used until a closer relationship is established.
Be Punctual for Scheduled Calls
Bulgarians value punctuality in business contexts. If you've arranged a call time, be ready at the agreed moment.
Build Rapport Before Business
Bulgarian business culture appreciates some personal conversation before diving into agendas. A brief exchange about family or mutual acquaintances is common and expected.

Sources

1
Time in Bulgaria – Wikipedia
Supports time zone and DST claims

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Top Bulgarian Cities People Call

Whether you're calling family in Sofia, friends in Plovdiv, or a hotel in Varna, here's what you should know about Bulgaria's most frequently called cities.

Sofia

Bulgaria's Capital and Business Hub

Home to nearly 1.3 million people, Sofia is the political, economic, and cultural center of Bulgaria. Most business and government calls will be directed here.