Revolut Bulgaria: Does Revolut Work In Bulgaria?

Wondering if you can use Revolut in Bulgaria? In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about using Revolut in Bulgaria.

Revolut is much more than a travel card or money transfer service. The innovative Revolut app lets you manage your salary, transactions, budget, savings, and more, all on the same app.

Moreover, Revolut is great for travelers. I’ve been using Revolut in Bulgaria to withdraw money and pay for goods.

So, if you’re considering using Revolut during your travels in Bulgaria – you can!

What Is Revolut?

Revolut is a British company founded in 2015.

Revolut began as a cheaper and easier way to send and request money worldwide (both to other Revolut users and bank accounts). Their unique selling point is that you always get the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.

However, over the years, Revolut has expanded significantly, becoming everyone’s favorite go-to app for money management.

Along with sending and receiving money, you can now use the app’s budgeting tools, unlimited disposable virtual cards for safer online shopping, and much more.

Revolut offers three plan options:

You can use your Revolut card in Bulgaria. If you’re Bulgarian, or an expat with a residency in Bulgaria, you can also order a Revolut card in Bulgaria.

What Does Revolut Offer?

As we just mentioned, Revolut offers various features.

So if you don’t typically send or receive money from overseas, this doesn’t mean a Revolut account won’t benefit you.

Here are some of the top things that Revolut offers its customers:

• Send and receive money overseas to other Revolut customers and bank accounts – Transfers to and from Revolut customers worldwide are instant and without hidden fees.
• Fair, transparent rates with no hidden fees.
• Hold and exchange 28 currencies in the app, including USD, GBP, CAD, BGN, and EUR.
• Make online international purchases at the real exchange rate.
• Receive your salary up to two days in advance via direct deposit for no additional cost.
• Budgeting tools to track your spending and set monthly budgets (for your total expenditure or individual categories). You can receive notifications when you are approaching your budget.
• A virtual spare change jar by rounding up every card payment to the nearest dollar and adding the spare change to your savings account.
• Instant transaction notifications showing the amount spent and where. So, if someone accesses your account and manages to make a purchase, you’ll find out straight away.
• Personalized security features – Through the app, you can change settings regarding swipe payments, contactless payments, and ATM withdrawals, turning them on/off and adjusting limits.
• Instant freeze/unfreeze card feature in the app – so if you lose your card, you can block it without having to call and wait on hold. Likewise, if you find your card after, there is no headache unblocking it.
• Unlimited disposable virtual cards that generate unique card details for each online purchase you make
• Travel perks, such as travel insurance and access to airport lounges, can be useful during your travels in Bulgaria.

How To Apply For A Revolut Account

What makes digital banks like Revolut so popular is that it is super easy to apply for an account with them.

Compared to traditional bank accounts, where you have to make an appointment in-person, supply mountains of paperwork, and wait weeks to start using your account, opening a Revolut account is effortless.

It takes just a few minutes to open a Revolut account, and you can do it directly from your Android or iOS smartphone.

No lengthy phone call, virtual meeting, or back-and-forth emailing is required. Instead, you simply input your details and upload valid identification if needed.

Here’s the exact process to follow to open a Revolut account:

1. Download the app from the Apple or Google Play Store.
2. Enter your phone number – You’ll then get sent a verification code that you’ll need to enter to go to the next step.
3. Input your personal details, such as name, date of birth, home address, and email address.
4. Take a selfie (for identification purposes).
5. Create a passcode.
6. Choose your plan – Standard, Premium, or Metal – Note that you can upgrade later.
7. Choose your card (physical or virtual) – If you choose virtual, your card details are generated immediately.
8. That’s it – You’ll now be taken to your account page, but note that you’ll need to confirm your email address, so remember to check your inbox.

Open An Account

How To Use Revolut In Bulgaria

So once you’ve opened your account, how do you use the app?

Here’s what you can start to do straight away:

• Open multiple accounts for different currencies. So if you have clients based in other countries that pay you in their currency, you can instantly open an account to start receiving your salary immediately. There are over 25 currencies you can get paid in, including GBP, BGN, EUR, CAD, and AUD.
• Add money to your Revolut account via regular bank transfer, adding your bank card, or via Google Pay.
• Set up for your salary to be paid into your Revolut account – Revolut will share a prepared email that you can send straight to HR to request the change.
• Invite your friends to use Revolut – You’ll receive a cash prize for each friend that signs up, orders a physical card, and makes 3 card payments.
• Make your first transfer by adding your contacts or bank account details, or create a payment link to request payment from your clients.
• Set up monthly or weekly budgets.
• And much more!

Now you may wonder: Can I use Revolut in Bulgaria? Yes, you can! While it’s useful to have cash in Bulgaria, you can pay by card in some shops and restaurants.

That said, you’ll need a reliable travel card to withdraw money, and Revolut is great for this. Read our Revolut travel card review to learn more.

When it comes to using Revolut in Bulgaria, you can use your card as you would with another card.

You’ll be able to:

• Withdraw money from ATMs in Bulgaria
• Pay for goods in person
• Pay for goods online, like on eBag or eMag (you can use a single-use virtual card if you want)

We suggest you pay in BGN when you have the option. This way, you’ll pay less for conversions and fees.

Is Revolut Safe In Bulgaria?

As digital banks are still relatively new, there are some concerns over how safe they are.

However, Revolut is probably the safest digital bank as it uses award-winning security systems that keep your card details safe, flag any suspicious transactions, and use additional verification processes.

Revolut is a financial technology company. Banking services are provided by Metropolitan Commercial Bank (Member FDIC).

In addition, Revolut offers super secure card options. They use strict data security to store card numbers and offer disposable virtual cards. This works by giving you a temporary card number to use one time on an online purchase.

After you make an online purchase, those card details are destroyed to protect you against online card fraud. You can request virtual cards as many times as you like, as the temporary data is generated instantly in the app.

I personally have been using my Revolut card in Bulgaria for months, and I have had no issues. I use it to withdraw money from ATMs and to pay by card when it’s possible.

After living in Bulgaria for nearly two years, I never had any issues.

Get Revolut

Are There Any Downsides To Revolut?

While digital banks have many advantages over traditional ones, such as fast and easy account opening and comprehensive in-app account management, Revolut may not be for everyone.

One thing to note about Revolut is that it is difficult to speak with an actual person if you have issues. Their sole customer service method is through the in-app chat, which is available 24/7.

However, there is no telephone support, only an automated number to block your card.

Moreover, as they do not have any physical branches, there is no in-person support either.

While this is fine for many people, you may find this frustrating if you like to speak with someone on the phone or in person about your banking problems.

Also, note that customers on the paid plans get priority in the in-app chat. So if you have a standard account, you might have to wait a while to receive a response.

Final Thoughts On Revolut Bulgaria

Revolut is more than just a handy traveling tool that makes it easy to withdraw local currency and saves you from extortionary fees.

This innovative digital bank offers something for everyone, including savers, spenders, employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.

If you don’t yet have a Revolut account, download the app today and look around.

Revolut doesn’t pressure you to buy a paid plan, so you can try it out for and then upgrade to the additional features if you feel they are helpful. I personally have the metal plan, and I’m very happy with it.

Are you looking for more content about travel finances? Read one of the following guides:

• Revolut vs Wise
• Wise vs Paypal
• Best banks for expats