Bulgaria, a country of ancient ruins, stunning Black Sea beaches, and vibrant cities, offers a diverse and affordable European experience. Whether you’re wandering through Sofia’s historic streets, exploring the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo, or skiing in Bansko, knowing how to access cash is important. While credit and debit cards are commonly accepted in cities, cash is still widely used, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. This guide provides key details on cash and ATMs in Bulgaria, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a hassle-free trip.
Where to find ATMs in Bulgaria?
Urban Areas: Cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna have a dense network of ATMs, particularly in city centers, shopping areas, and near bank branches. Banks like UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, and United Bulgarian Bank operate extensive ATM networks.
Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, the Old Town of Plovdiv, and the Sea Garden in Varna have ATMs nearby, often within or near tourist facilities. ATMs in Bulgaria widely accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Maestro. They can be found in shops, transportation hubs, and nearly all banks.
Rural Areas: In smaller villages and remote regions, ATM availability can be limited. It’s recommended to withdraw cash in larger towns before traveling to these areas.
Best ATMs to use in Bulgaria for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Bulgaria are those owned by popular banks such as:
- UniCredit
- DSK Bank
- Postbank
- UBB
- CCB
- ProCredit
- Ziraat Bank
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Bulgaria.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Bulgaria, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in BGN).
- Accept means ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate. This rate is usually high and you pay extra charges for this service.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in BGN’.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Bulgaria?
Yes, majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Bulgaria.ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. Some of them accept UnionPay, Diners, Discover cards. ATMs don’t accept other cards such as JCB, Amex and Rupay.
What are the ATM opening hours
Most ATMs are open 24/7, though ATMs in remote areas may not always be accessible after dark.
What are ATMs called
ATMs in Bulgaria are usually found by a signage of word ATM’ ATMs have only the name of bank.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs in Bulgaria primarily offer Bulgarian as the main language along with English. If you’re not familiar with these languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be helpful; however, proceed cautiously as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Bulgaria?
ATMs in Bulgaria dispense cash only in the local currency, Bulgarian Lev (BGN).
ATM withdrawal limits in Bulgaria
ATMs in Bulgaria have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of Bg 400 to Bg 800 (Bulgarian Lev). One bank allows withdrawal upto Bg 2,000 per transaction depending on ATM cash. ATMs typically have a daily and weekly withdrawal limit of Bg 2,000 to Bg 3,000.
ATM Fees in Bulgaria
There are many fee-free ATMs in Bulgaria. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Bulgaria do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. There are some bank ATMs that charge Bg 5 or Bg 10 per transaction (Bulgarian Lev). So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Bulgaria as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Bulgaria. These are:
1. ATM’s Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Bulgaria
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Bulgaria?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs in Aruba on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Bulgaria. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Bulgaria.
Safety at ATMs
Bulgaria is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, and ATMs are widely available in urban areas. However, instances of ATM skimming and credit card fraud have been reported, particularly in crowded public areas such as popular tourist spots, public transportation hubs, and shopping streets. It’s advisable to use ATMs located in well-lit, populated areas or within bank premises to minimize potential risks.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Bulgaria takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Bulgaria. Majority of the Bank ATMs here do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. There are some bank ATMs that charge Bg 5 or Bg 10 per transaction.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs here.
Bitcoin ATMs
Bulgaria has a growing number of Bitcoin ATMs, with a total of 36 machines installed nationwide. These ATMs are primarily located in major cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Bulgaria
Citibank: Yes, Citibank operates here but only for corporate customers, no ATMs.
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs here.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not operate ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs here.
