The +359 country code is for Bulgaria. A country of about 6.5 million people in southeastern Europe, on the western shore of the Black Sea, bordered by Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. Sofia is the capital. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007 and the Schengen area in 2024, but still uses its own currency, the lev. The population has been shrinking steadily since 1990 -- Bulgaria has lost nearly 2.5 million people to emigration and declining birth rates, making it one of the fastest-depopulating countries in the world. The diaspora in Germany, Spain, and the UK is large and active.
Quick answer: The country code +359 is for Bulgaria. Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +359, starting with 87, 88, 89, 98, or 99:
+359 8X XXX XXXX. Sofia landlines are 8 digits:+359 2 XXX XXXX. Other cities use 2-3 digit area codes. The trunk prefix is 0 -- drop it when dialing internationally.
How to call Bulgaria: quick reference
Bulgaria uses the trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop it. A Sofia number that locals dial as 02 XXX XXXX becomes +359 2 XXX XXXX internationally.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +359 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-359-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-359-[local number] |
| Spain | 00-359-[local number] |
| UK | 00-359-[local number] |
| Greece | 00-359-[local number] |
| Turkey | 00-359-[local number] |
Understanding Bulgaria phone numbers
Bulgarian phone numbers vary in length:
- Mobile numbers: 9 digits after +359, starting with 87, 88, 89, 98, or 99.
- Sofia landlines: 8 digits after +359 (area code 2 + 7 digits).
- Other city landlines: 8 digits after +359 (2-3 digit area code + 5-6 digits).
The trunk prefix is 0 -- drop it for international calls.
Mobile numbers
All Bulgarian mobile numbers start with 87, 88, 89, 98, or 99 after the country code. The prefix roughly indicates the carrier, though number portability has blurred the lines:
- A1 Bulgaria: 88X, 89X
- Yettel: 87X, 98X, 99X
- Vivacom: 87X (some), 89X (some)
Format: +359 8X XXX XXXX or +359 9X XXX XXXX (9 digits total after +359)
Landline numbers and area codes
Sofia has the single-digit area code 2. Other cities use 2-3 digit area codes:
| Area code | City |
|---|---|
| 2 | Sofia (capital) |
| 32 | Plovdiv |
| 52 | Varna |
| 56 | Burgas |
| 62 | Veliko Tarnovo |
| 42 | Stara Zagora |
| 64 | Pleven |
| 82 | Ruse |
Landlines are declining but still common in offices, hotels, and older households. Bulgaria's fixed-line network was privatized in the 2000s and is now part of Vivacom's infrastructure.
Mobile carriers in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has three mobile carriers, all now under foreign ownership.
A1 Bulgaria (formerly Mtel)
The largest carrier with about 35-40% market share. Owned by A1 Telekom Austria (same parent as A1 Belarus). Originally launched as MobilTel in 1995, rebranded to Mtel, then A1. Strong 4G coverage across the country, including rural areas and the Black Sea coast. A1 is the default carrier for many business users.
Yettel (formerly Telenor Bulgaria)
The second carrier with about 30-35% market share. Originally Globul, then bought by Telenor, then sold to PPF Group (Czech) and rebranded to Yettel in 2022. Yettel competes aggressively on price and data packages. Coverage is comparable to A1 in urban areas.
Vivacom
The third carrier with about 25-30% market share. Vivacom is the successor to BTC (Bulgarian Telecommunications Company), the old state monopoly. It runs both the mobile network and most of Bulgaria's fixed-line and broadband infrastructure. Vivacom's advantage is that it bundles mobile, landline, internet, and TV into packages. Now owned by United Group (a major Balkan telecoms group).
Don't confuse +359 with nearby codes
Bulgaria's +359 is right next to Finland's +358. They have nothing in common geographically, which makes the mix-up worse -- you won't realize you've reached the wrong country from the ring tone.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +359 | Bulgaria | Southeastern Europe (Balkans) |
| +358 | Finland | Northern Europe (Nordic) |
| +357 | Cyprus | Eastern Mediterranean |
| +389 | North Macedonia | Southeastern Europe (Balkans) |
The +359 vs. +358 confusion is the most common. One digit off, and you'll reach Helsinki instead of Sofia. +389 (North Macedonia) is another risk -- it's a neighbouring country that shares some cultural and linguistic overlap with Bulgaria, and the codes share the digits 3, 9.
Time zone considerations
Bulgaria is on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) in winter and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3) from late March to late October. Same as Romania, Greece, and Finland.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Bulgaria 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Bulgaria is 7 hours ahead | 2 AM - 11 AM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Bulgaria is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 12 PM EDT |
| US West Coast (PST) | Bulgaria is 10 hours ahead | 11 PM (prev day) - 8 AM PST |
| Germany (CET) | Bulgaria is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM CET |
| Germany (CEST) | Bulgaria is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM CEST |
| Spain (CET) | Bulgaria is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM CET |
| UK (GMT) | Bulgaria is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM GMT |
| Greece (EET/EEST) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 6 PM |
| Turkey (TRT) | Bulgaria is 1 hour behind (winter) | 10 AM - 7 PM TRT |
Tip: The Germany/Spain-Bulgaria gap is only 1 hour, making it easy for the diaspora to call. Greece is in the same time zone. US East Coast has a workable morning window.
Communication in Bulgaria
Business hours and calling patterns
Standard business hours in Bulgaria are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Government offices close at 5:00 PM. Many shops stay open until 8:00 or 9:00 PM. Saturday mornings are active for retail. In the summer resort areas along the Black Sea (Sunny Beach, Golden Sands), businesses run on tourist schedules -- often 10:00 AM to late evening.
Messaging apps
Viber is the most popular messaging app in Bulgaria, as in much of the Balkans. Bulgarians use Viber for voice calls, video calls, and group chats with family. If you want to reach someone in Bulgaria for free, Viber is the first thing to try.
Facebook Messenger is also widely used. Bulgaria has one of the highest Facebook penetration rates in Europe relative to its population, and Messenger is the default for casual conversations and business inquiries.
WhatsApp is gaining ground, especially among younger Bulgarians and those with contacts in Western Europe, but it's still second to Viber domestically.
Network coverage
Coverage in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and other cities is solid on all three carriers. 4G is available across most of the country, including along the major highways (the Trakia and Struma motorways). Mountain areas in the Rhodopes and Pirin can have weak or spotty coverage. The Black Sea coast is well covered during tourist season.
The Bulgaria diaspora
Bulgaria has lost roughly a quarter of its population since 1990. The country went from about 9 million to 6.5 million, and the trend hasn't reversed. Young Bulgarians leave for Western Europe as soon as they finish university -- or sometimes before.
Where they went
- Germany: The largest Bulgarian diaspora, estimated at 300,000-400,000. The numbers surged after 2014 when EU labour market restrictions for Bulgarian workers were lifted. Concentrated in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and the Ruhr area. Many work in construction, logistics, and healthcare.
- Spain: About 150,000-200,000 Bulgarians. The wave came in the 2000s, before EU accession. Madrid and Valencia have the biggest communities. Many Bulgarians in Spain work in agriculture, construction, and hospitality.
- UK: About 100,000-200,000 before Brexit, though some have since left or settled. London is the main hub. The post-Brexit status of Bulgarian workers has been a source of uncertainty.
- Greece: About 50,000-80,000, concentrated in Thessaloniki and Athens. Greece shares a border with Bulgaria and many Bulgarians from the south (Blagoevgrad, Sandanski) cross regularly for work.
- Turkey: A different kind of diaspora. In 1989, the communist regime forced ethnic Turks (about 10% of Bulgaria's population) to either assimilate or leave. Around 300,000 left for Turkey in a matter of months. Many eventually returned, but a large community remains in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and Edirne. They still call family in Bulgaria regularly.
- United States: About 50,000-100,000, concentrated in Chicago (the largest Bulgarian community in the US), New York, and Los Angeles.
Why they call
For most of the diaspora, it's economic migration rather than political exile. People left for better wages. Parents in Bulgaria expect regular calls from children working in Germany or Spain. Grandparents raise grandchildren while the parents work abroad -- a pattern common across the Balkans. Remittances are important to Bulgaria's economy, and phone calls often accompany money transfers. Call volume spikes around Baba Marta (March 1, when Bulgarians exchange red-and-white martenitsa bracelets), Easter (Orthodox Easter, usually a week after Western Easter), and Christmas.
Dialing examples
Example 1: Calling a Sofia mobile (A1) from Germany
- Bulgarian number (local format): 088 123 4567
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 88 123 4567
- From Germany:
00 359 88 123 4567
Example 2: Calling a Sofia landline from the US
- Bulgarian number (local format): 02 981 2345
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 2 981 2345
- From a US mobile:
+359 2 981 2345 - From a US landline:
011 359 2 981 2345
Example 3: Calling a Plovdiv landline from Spain
- Bulgarian number (local format): 032 654 321
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 32 654 321
- From Spain:
00 359 32 654 321
Example 4: Calling a Bulgarian mobile from Turkey
- Bulgarian number (local format): 087 987 6543
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 87 987 6543
- From Turkey:
00 359 87 987 6543
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
Bulgarians give their numbers with a leading 0: 088 XXX XXXX for mobile, 02 XXX XXXX for Sofia. Drop the 0 when dialing internationally. +359 088 123 4567 won't work -- use +359 88 123 4567.
Confusing +359 with +358 (Finland)
One digit apart, completely different countries. If you dial +358 instead of +359, you'll reach Finland. The language difference will be immediately obvious -- Bulgarian sounds Slavic, Finnish sounds like nothing else in Europe.
Variable number lengths
Sofia landlines are 8 digits after +359 (area code 2 + 7 digits). Other cities are also 8 digits (2-3 digit area code + fewer local digits). Mobile numbers are 9 digits. If your number doesn't connect, check the digit count.
Expecting the head nod to mean "yes"
Not a dialing mistake, but worth knowing: in Bulgaria, nodding your head means "no" and shaking it means "yes." This extends to phone conversations -- if someone says "da" (yes) while you hear them making sounds that suggest a head shake, they're actually agreeing. It trips up every foreigner.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +359 country code?
The +359 country code is for Bulgaria.
How many digits is a Bulgarian phone number?
Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +359 (starting with 87, 88, 89, 98, or 99). Landline numbers are 8 digits (Sofia: area code 2 + 7 digits; other cities: 2-3 digit area code + remaining digits).
How do I call Bulgaria from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +359 followed by the number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial 011, then 359, then the number without the leading 0.
What time zone is Bulgaria in?
Bulgaria is on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) in winter and EEST (UTC+3) in summer. Same as Romania and Greece.
What is the difference between +359 and +358?
+359 is Bulgaria (capital: Sofia). +358 is Finland (capital: Helsinki). One digit apart, completely different parts of Europe.
Does Bulgaria have a trunk prefix?
Yes. Bulgaria uses 0 as the trunk prefix for domestic calls. Drop it when dialing from abroad.
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