Free Call to Bulgaria from US — Free Viber & Cheap Rates (2026)
Viber is free and the Bulgarian default; Google Voice from $0.02/min, BubblyPhone $0.28/min. Viber very popular (Balkan pattern), WhatsApp growing. +359 dialing guide, Sofia 2, Plovdiv 32, Varna 52. A1 BG/Yettel/Vivacom carriers.
Calling Bulgaria costs $0.28/min with BubblyPhone — $16.80 for a full hour, so check Viber first. Viber is very popular in Bulgaria — like Greece and the Balkans, Viber has a strong foothold here. WhatsApp is growing but Viber remains the go-to for many Bulgarians. The country code is +359.
Whether you're calling family in Sofia, a business in Plovdiv, or friends in Varna, here's every option for calling Bulgaria cheaply or for free.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. Viber — Very Popular in Bulgaria
Viber has a strong presence in Bulgaria, similar to its popularity in Greece, Serbia, and other Balkan/Southeast European countries. Many Bulgarians, especially older users, prefer Viber over WhatsApp. Free voice and video calls work well.
Tip: If your Bulgarian contact doesn't respond on WhatsApp, try Viber. It's a regional pattern across the Balkans — Viber gained early traction and maintained its user base.
2. WhatsApp — Growing
WhatsApp is growing in Bulgaria, especially among younger users and for international communication. A1 Bulgaria, Yettel (formerly Telenor), and Vivacom provide good nationwide coverage. Many Bulgarians now use both Viber and WhatsApp.
3. Facebook Messenger — Common
Facebook is popular in Bulgaria, and Messenger is commonly used for casual communication and video calls.
4. FaceTime — Limited
iPhone market share in Bulgaria is around 20-25%. Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei are more popular. FaceTime is only useful if both sides have Apple devices.
Calling Bulgarian Phone Numbers — Very Cheap
Bulgaria is very affordable to call:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | $0.28/min | $0.28/min | Browser, iOS, Android — very cheap |
| Google Voice | $0.33/min | $0.08/min | US Google account required |
| Viber Out | $0.049/min | $0.13/min | Convenient — many Bulgarians use Viber |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.50-3.00/min | $1.50-3.00/min | Up to 120x more expensive |
Our honest take: Bulgarian carrier fees rose sharply in 2026 and we are now $0.28/min — Google Voice ($0.02/min landline, $0.10/min mobile) is cheaper on both. Use Viber: it is free and it is what Bulgarians actually use. BubblyPhone makes sense here only when you need to dial a Bulgarian number from a browser with no app installed.
How to Dial Bulgaria from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 359 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+359 + number
# Example — calling a Sofia landline:
+359 2 123 4567
# Example — calling a Bulgarian mobile:
+359 88 123 4567
# Example — calling Plovdiv:
+359 32 23 4567
Important: Bulgarian numbers start with 0 domestically. When dialing from the US, drop the leading 0: 02 becomes +359 2 (Sofia), 088 becomes +359 88 (mobile). Mobile numbers start with 08x (drop the 0: +359 8x).
Major Area Codes
- Sofia: 2
- Plovdiv: 32
- Varna: 52
- Burgas: 56
- Ruse: 82
- Stara Zagora: 42
Carriers & Mobile
- A1 Bulgaria: Largest carrier (formerly Mtel)
- Yettel: Second largest (formerly Telenor)
- Vivacom: Third carrier
- Mobile prefixes: 087/088 (A1), 089 (Yettel), 098 (Vivacom)
- Coverage: Good in cities, variable in mountains
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Bulgaria
Viber — it's free and the preferred app for many Bulgarians, especially older family members. Try Viber first, then WhatsApp.
Calling a Bulgarian business
Google Voice ($0.02/min landline) — a 30-minute business call costs about $0.60. BubblyPhone is $0.28/min if you need a browser call instead.
Calling a Bulgarian mobile number
Viber if they have it — free, and the Bulgarian default. For a paid call, Google Voice ($0.10/min) undercuts BubblyPhone ($0.28/min).
Calling the Black Sea coast (Varna, Burgas)
Viber or WhatsApp — good mobile coverage along the coast. Summer tourist season means hotels and rental agencies are reachable via WhatsApp.
Tips for Calling Bulgaria
- Bulgaria is 7 hours ahead of EST (EET, UTC+2). When it's 10 AM in New York, it's 5 PM in Sofia. Best window: 9-11 AM EST (4-6 PM Sofia) or 1-3 PM EST (8-10 PM Sofia)
- Viber is the Balkan favorite — Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia all have strong Viber adoption. Don't dismiss it as niche if your Bulgarian contact prefers Viber over WhatsApp
- Cyrillic alphabet — Bulgarian uses Cyrillic script. If you're searching for a business online, you might need to search in both Latin and Cyrillic
- Tech outsourcing hub — Sofia is an increasingly popular tech outsourcing destination. Business calls to Bulgarian IT companies are becoming more common
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call Bulgaria, switch to Viber/WhatsApp (free) or Google Voice ($0.02-0.10/min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Bulgaria for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a Bulgarian phone number?
What is the country code for Bulgaria?
Why is Viber popular in Bulgaria?
What's the best time to call Bulgaria from the US?
Call Bulgaria from your browser
No app, no Google account — open BubblyPhone and dial +359. Bulgaria is $0.28/min, so try Viber first if you can.
Try Free — Call Bulgaria Now