Bulgaria (BG)
Bulgaria is the oldest state in Europe (founded 681 AD), a member of the European Union since 2007, and one of the most affordable countries for expats in the EU.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Electronic Identity (Електронна лична карта / eID)
The Bulgarian biometric national ID card (Лична карта) with an embedded chip that enables electronic identification and digital signature. Bulgaria rolled out electronic identity cards with chip functionality for e-government access.
How to get it: Applied for at the "Documents" directorate of the Regional Department of the Ministry of Interior (ОДМВР). Requires in-person visit. Fee: ~18 BGN for standard, higher for express. Processing: 30 days standard, 3 days express. Must have Bulgarian EGN.
E-Government Portal
https://egov.bgThe Bulgarian e-government portal is primarily in Bulgarian. Navigation requires Cyrillic literacy. Many services still require in-person visits for initial registration or document submission. Digital signatures and eID enable more online interactions but adoption is growing gradually. Quality of online services varies — some ministries have excellent portals, others require physical visits. English language support is minimal in government digital services.
Essential Apps
Sofia Metro
FreeOfficial Sofia metro app — real-time information, route planning, timetables for Sofia metro, trams, and buses.
Bolt
FreeRide-hailing app — most popular in Bulgaria. Pre-priced rides, safe alternative to taxis. Works in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas.
Econt
FreeBulgaria's dominant courier service. Track parcels, find nearest Econt office/locker, manage deliveries. Essential for online shopping.
Speedy
FreeSecond major Bulgarian courier. Similar functionality to Econt. Many Bulgarians use both apps.
eBanica / Banica Apps
FreeBulgarian food delivery apps — Glovo, foodpanda, and local apps available in Sofia and major cities. Affordable delivery.
Revolut
FreeMost popular financial app among expats in Bulgaria. Multi-currency, international transfers, budgeting.
Viber
FreeMore popular than WhatsApp in Bulgaria for messaging and calls. Essential for communicating with Bulgarian locals.
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Imot.bg
FreeLargest Bulgarian property platform — buy, rent, apartments, houses. Essential for apartment hunting.
OLX.bg
FreeBulgarian version of OLX — second-hand goods, services, jobs. Very active marketplace.
BDZ (Train tickets)
FreeBulgarian State Railways ticket booking app — intercity train tickets, timetables.
Google Maps
FreeWorks well in Bulgaria with Bulgarian street names (in both Cyrillic and Latin). Real-time traffic. Essential for navigation.
Apteka.bg
FreeFind nearest pharmacy (аптека), including 24-hour duty pharmacies. Check medicine availability.
Internet connectivity in Bulgaria is excellent — among the fastest and cheapest in the EU. Average fixed broadband speed: 150–500 Mbps for 25–40 BGN/month. Mobile data: very affordable (15–30 BGN/month for unlimited data). 5G is rolling out in Sofia and major cities. Bulgaria's tech scene is growing rapidly — Sofia has a vibrant startup and IT sector. However, government digital services lag behind private sector quality, and most official online services are Bulgarian-language only. The Cyrillic keyboard on your phone is worth setting up early.