5 Best VPNs for Bulgaria in 2024 for Speed & Safety

When visiting Bulgaria, you can’t access some content from your home country, like banking apps and e-commerce platforms. Similarly, Bulgarian residents overseas need Bulgarian IP addresses to access local e-banking services and news sites. So you need a VPN with a global network that offers servers in the countries from which you need an IP.

In the past, hackers stole millions of Bulgarians’ personal information during a cyberattack on the country's tax agency. So, you also want a VPN that can secure your online data and activity. My team and I tested over 80 providers and shortlisted the best VPNs for Bulgaria with reliable servers, top-notch speed, and robust security for browsing, torrenting, and gaming.

I recommend ExpressVPN for Bulgaria because its groundbreaking Lightway protocol results in fast and secure connections. It also has 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including Bulgaria, to avoid network congestion. You can try ExpressVPN for Bulgaria risk-free, as all plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Bulgaria in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Best VPNs for Bulgaria — Full Analysis (Updated in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN – Lightway Protocol for a Safe Online Experience in Bulgaria With Fast Speeds

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol makes it one of the best VPNs for a fast and secure online experience in Bulgaria. It’s based on wolfSSL, a lightweight cryptography library, and gave me consistent speeds while testing the VPN. From my base of 121Mbps, I got an average of 115Mbps on nearby servers and 102Mbps on faraway servers. It’s also compliant with industry security standards, having been independently vetted by Cure53.

Combined with ExpressVPN’s wide global server network, Lightway hides your VPN traffic with its obfuscation, helping you avoid internet restrictions and ISP throttling. This means you can safely browse the web with a VPN, even on restrictive networks like schools and workplaces.

ExpressVPN’s only downside is the limit of 8 simultaneous connections. However, this will probably be still enough for all your personal devices. Plus, as the only VPN with dedicated router firmware, it was also the easiest to set up on my home Wi-Fi, so I could secure all my family’s devices with a single subscription. For other devices that don’t natively support a VPN, you can use ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS, MediaStreamer.

I felt ExpressVPN is a bargain, starting at just $4.99/month, taking into account the robust service that it offers. Its high-quality, 24/7 live chat was always available and helpful when I needed it. You can even try ExpressVPN risk-free for Bulgaria as it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with all plans.

Useful Features

• No-logs policy. ExpressVPN enforces a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited by PwC. So, your internet activity in or outside Bulgaria will remain private.
• TrustedServer technology. ExpressVPN’s RAM-only servers are frequently rebooted and all data on them is erased to keep you protected. It has also been independently audited, so your identifiable information and browsing history in Bulgaria will never be exposed.
• Based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. ExpressVPN is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. With no data retention laws or ties to intelligence-sharing networks, your data won’t fall into the hands of Bulgarian or other authorities.
• IP/DNS leak protection. With private DNS on every server, ExpressVPN prevents any accidental DNS leaks. Combined with a kill switch on all apps, it prevents your real Bulgarian IP from being exposed.

2. CyberGhost – Optimized Servers for Seamless Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting in Bulgaria

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost’s specialized servers are the fastest and most reliable for specific online activities. For example, gaming servers in Frankfurt and Paris let you game on EU servers lag-free, while P2P-optimized servers in Bulgaria let you download torrents more quickly. All these servers are organized in different tabs with convenient and straightforward names.

You can see the distance and latency of gaming servers in the app

CyberGhost has slightly slower speeds than ExpressVPN. However, you should have minimal drops if you use its servers in Bulgaria and nearby countries. While testing CyberGhost’s speeds, my connection only dropped by an average of 19%.

CyberGhost uses military-grade encryption to protect your online activity and personal data. It also has a strict no-logs policy and is based in the privacy-friendly Romania. Additionally, all CyberGhost apps offer a kill switch, which immediately cuts your internet connection if your VPN connection drops, further safeguarding your online information.

With very affordable long-term pricing, you can get CyberGhost for just $2.03/month. Shorter plans come with a shorter money-back guarantee, but long-term plans allow you to try the service for 45 days and still request a refund if you’re not satisfied. The only drawback is that its live chat isn’t always working, so you’ll have to wait longer for an email reply instead.

Useful Features

• Automatic VPN protocol selection. When enabled, CyberGhost automatically uses the most secure and efficient protocol (WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2) based on your Bulgarian network and online activity.
• NoSpy servers. These servers are located in Romania and are owned and operated exclusively by CyberGhost, ensuring that no third parties have access to the data passing through them. They give you an added layer of protection and confidentiality online in Bulgaria.
• 7 simultaneous connections. CyberGhost lets you protect up to 7 devices with a single subscription, so if you're traveling, even some of your family back home can protect their devices while you’re in Bulgaria.
• Privacy Guard. This feature scans your device for any potential privacy threats in Bulgaria and provides suggestions to fix them.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customize Speed and Security to Serve All Your Online Needs in Bulgaria

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA lets you fine-tune its settings to improve its performance for different network conditions in Bulgaria. Choosing 128-bit encryption can increase your connection speed, while 256-bit provides greater security. Adjusting the MTU packet size can help optimize the VPN when your connection is unreliable. You can also choose between the OpenVPN (TCP or UDP), WireGuard, or IKEv2 protocols. WireGuard gave me the fastest speeds with around 20% drop on average.

If my connection was unreliable, I could fix it using PIA’s settings

While testing PIA, I thought it was a bit complicated at first, but started to enjoy using it more with time. The interface is customizable, too, so you can conveniently position features you commonly use on the dashboard. It also shows each server’s latency, so you can find the fastest ones for Bulgaria. If you ever struggle, there are many tutorials and guides to help you navigate the interface and customize settings to your liking.

A slight issue is that PIA is based in the US, which is a part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. However, its no-logging policy ensures that your data is never collected or shared anyway.

With prices as low as $2.03/month, PIA is one of the most cost-effective VPNs for long-term subscribers. You can also try PIA risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Unlimited simultaneous connections. With no limits on the number of connections per subscription, you can secure all your devices without worrying about losing VPN access in Bulgaria.
• Multi-hop and obfuscation. Using SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks, this setting routes your traffic through multiple servers and disguises the VPN traffic, making it more difficult for ISPs in Bulgaria to detect VPN connections.
• Split tunneling. This feature lets you choose websites, IPs, or apps that must use or bypass the VPN connection. You can use it in Bulgaria to access your banking apps normally while gaming with a different IP.
• MACE. MACE blocks ads, trackers, and malware-infected websites. It does this by blocking DNS requests from blacklisted domains, which can improve your overall browsing experience in Bulgaria.

4. NordVPN — Modern and User-Friendly Apps to Easily Find the Best Servers for Bulgaria

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

While testing, NordVPN has proved to have one of the most intuitive apps for a wide range of devices. You can quickly connect to the best server either by using the Quick Connect button or by clicking on a destination on the world map. You can just click on the country, including Bulgaria, and NordVPN will automatically connect to the fastest server there. It’s also easy to find the best server by location or specialty by using the search function.

You can use NordVPN’s map, search bar, server list, or Quick Connect feature to find a server

Unfortunately, NordVPN has the fewest server locations out of all the listed VPNs. However, it offers a variety of specialized servers for specific uses, like Double VPN, which encrypt traffic twice, and Onion over VPN, which route traffic through the Tor network for extra protection. There are also optimized servers for P2P, with options near (or in) Bulgaria.

NordVPN offers a variety of flexible plans starting at $2.99/month, with pricier options coming with extras like a data breach scanner, password manager, cloud storage, and file encryption. You can also get a 30-day money-back guarantee with any plan.

Useful Features

• Advanced kill switch. If the VPN connection is lost, the internet kill switch automatically blocks internet access for your whole device, while the app kill switch only blocks specific apps. This will help prevent any data leaks or IP detection in Bulgaria.
• Threat Protection. This feature blocks malware, phishing attempts, and other online threats, even in the background when NordVPN isn’t connected, which gives you added security in Bulgaria, where cybercrime is a growing concern.
• NordLynx. Built on WireGuard, NordLynx offers more secure connections with faster speeds and lower latency, making it ideal for torrenting and gaming in Bulgaria. I only experienced an average drop of 15%.
• Smart DNS. This is similar to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, and it’s useful for avoiding ISP throttling on devices that don’t support VPNs, like SMrts TVs and gaming consoles.

5. Surfshark — Servers in 100 Countries to Avoid Network Congestion

Works With:

ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

With servers in 100 countries, Surfshark gives you plenty of options to get a new IP and securely access your banking apps from other countries or in Bulgaria. All its servers also allow P2P, so you can use them for torrenting. Plus, they are RAM-based and use private DNS, which gives you extra privacy. You also get Multi-Hop servers (similar to Nord’s Double VPN) and Static IP servers.

Unfortunately, Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a member of the 9 Eyes Alliance. However, its audited no-logs policy means it doesn’t collect or store any data about your online activities. It also uses security features, like a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. I tested Surfshark for any data leaks, and it came back clean.

You can get Surfshark for just $1.99/month with its long-term plans, making it one of the most affordable VPNs with unlimited simultaneous connections. All plans are also covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Camouflage mode. The feature works automatically in the background by disguising your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder for websites to detect and block your connection or for Bulgarian ISPs to throttle it.
• Bypasser. Surfshark’s Bypasser conveniently lets you specify which apps, websites, or IPs should use or bypass the VPN connection.
• CleanWeb. Surfshark's CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malicious content from websites for safer and more streamlined browsing in Bulgaria without annoying pop-ups.
• Speed test. The in-app speed test helps you find the fastest servers in a specific region, like Europe.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Bulgaria

The best VPNs for Bulgaria give you fast and secure connections, with the ability to change your IP to anywhere in the world. You can use these tips as a personal checklist to find the best VPN for you.

• Global server network. To access certain websites and services from back home (like banking apps and local news sites) while traveling to Bulgaria, you need a VPN with servers in any country from which you need an IP. Servers in Bulgaria are a plus to secure your connection with the fastest speeds.
• User-friendly apps for popular devices. Not all VPNs offer apps or compatibility with all devices. The above VPNs all support the most popular desktop OSs, mobile devices, smart TVs, consoles, and routers.
• Fast speeds. Invest in a VPN that provides you with lag-free gaming and uninterrupted torrenting. My recommended VPNs for Bulgaria all ranked highly in my speed tests.
• Robust security. Choose a VPN with the most powerful level of encryption — AES 256-bit so you’re protected from data theft and third-party monitoring. The VPNs above also let you choose between various secure protocols, depending on your needs.
• Strong data privacy. A VPN should keep what you're doing online private. Look for a VPN that doesn’t keep logs and protects you against accidental data exposure (DNS/IP leak protection and a kill switch).
• Responsive customer support. If you have any issues connecting or accessing sites with your VPN, you need reliable technical support to help you solve it as soon as possible. Look for 24/7 live chat support, as it’s usually the fastest.
• Reliable money-back guarantee. To avoid buyer's regret, go for a VPN that offers a trustworthy money-back guarantee policy, so you can be confident of a full refund if the VPN doesn’t live up to your expectations.

FAQs on Using a VPN for Bulgaria

Why do I need a VPN for Bulgaria?

Some banking apps and local news websites aren’t available when you travel outside specified regions. A VPN encrypts your traffic and gives you IP addresses in multiple locations so that you can access essential services while abroad.

In addition, since cybercrime is becoming more present in Bulgaria, you also need a VPN to protect your data and online activities. I suggest ExpressVPN for its global network of secure servers (including ones in Bulgaria) that won’t compromise your speed. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can first try it out to see if it works for you.

Are VPNs legal in Bulgaria?

Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries, including Bulgaria. In fact, using one of the best VPNs keeps your actual location and browsing habits safe while gaming, streaming, and torrenting.

However, the team and I don’t condone using VPNs for any illegal activities, including downloading copyrighted materials. You should always inform yourself about the local laws in Bulgaria to see what you can and can’t do using a VPN.

Besides, please keep in mind that using a VPN to watch geo-restricted content from outside licensed regions not only breaks the terms and conditions of streaming providers but could violate copyright law.

Can I use a free VPN in Bulgaria?

I don't recommend using a free VPN in Bulgaria. Free VPNs usually limit bandwidth, available servers, and security features so that you will upgrade to their paid plans. Also, many so-called “free” VPNs sell your data or infect your device with malware for profit. Instead, use a premium VPN that provides robust security features without compromising speed and comes with reliable money-back guarantees.

How can I get a Bulgarian IP address with a VPN?

To get a Bulgarian IP address, you need to connect to a server in Bulgaria. All the VPNs on my list have servers in the country. When connecting to one of these servers, you’ll be able to securely access your banking apps and e-commerce platforms from abroad.

Should I use a proxy instead of a VPN in Bulgaria?

Using a proxy instead of a VPN in Bulgaria isn’t recommended, as proxies only mask your IP address but don’t encrypt your traffic, leaving your online activity exposed to prying eyes. In contrast, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, ensuring your online privacy and security. VPNs also offer more server locations and advanced features, such as kill switches and split tunneling.

Can I use a VPN for iOS or Chrome in Bulgaria?

Yes, you can use a VPN for both iOS and Chrome in Bulgaria. All the VPNs above offer user-friendly apps for iPhones and extensions for the Chrome browser. You can download them from the official App Store or Chrome Web Store respectively. Simply install the app or extension, connect to a server, and enjoy secure and private internet access.

Which Bulgarian TV shows can I watch with a VPN?

If you’re in Bulgaria, you can watch local streaming services (such as bTV, BNT, Nova TV, and Skat TV) privately with a Bulgarian VPN server. ExpressVPN has reliable local servers and military-grade encryption to prevent ISP throttling. Some TV shows you can watch include:

• Bulgaria’s Got Talent
• Condominium
• Dear Heirs
• Every Sunday
• Fourth Estate
• Pod prikritie (Undercover)
• Slavi’s Show
• Stolen Life
• Stolichani v poveche (Sofia Residents in Excess)

Get the Best VPN for Bulgaria

While Bulgaria doesn’t have internet censorship, you still need a VPN with robust security and privacy features to keep you safe online. It's also important to look for VPNs that offer fast servers worldwide for uninterrupted browsing.

I recommend ExpressVPN because of its speed and reliable servers, including some in Bulgaria. Plus, its strong encryption, no-logs policy, and kill switch will keep your data private. You can try ExpressVPN with complete confidence, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Bulgaria...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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