Bulgaria is a country with much online freedom and no government-imposed internet censorship and restrictions. However, to access international content you will need the best VPN for Bulgaria with worldwide servers. Most Bulgarian websites are blocked outside the country due to content distribution and licensing limitations. For this, a VPN is the only safe and secure option to get a Bulgarian IP address and access geo-restricted sites from abroad.
A virtual private network (VPN) will help you mask your IP address and change your IP to a different country to access geo-blocked content abroad. It will also keep you safe from the prying eyes of hackers and agencies in Bulgaria.
Before we get into details, here is a brief summary of the best VPNs for Bulgaria in June 2023:
Quick Overview – Best VPN for Bulgaria in June 2023
- ExpressVPN– The Best VPN for Bulgaria. Offers top-notch security with 256-bit encryption, fast speed (88 Mbps on 100 Mbps base connection), and the ability to bypass geo-blocks. 3000+ servers in 160 locations (including Bulgaria) in just $6.67/mo . Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to try out the service risk-free.
- Surfshark– Best Value VPN for Bulgaria. Affordable VPN for Bulgaria costing only $2.49/mo . With flagship security features, like 256-bit encryption, CleanWeb, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. Unblocks Netflix in Bulgaria and supports unlimited connections.
- NordVPN – Secure VPN for Bulgaria. Offers advanced security features like Nordlynx, CyberSec, and 256-bit encryption at the cost of $3.99/mo . Works with Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and more. 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost – Best VPN for Streaming in Bulgaria. 7,000 fast-speed servers for bufferless streaming with optimized servers for Netflix, Disney+, BBC, iPlayer for only $2.03/mo . Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access – Best User-Friendly VPN for Bulgaria. Easy-to-use apps for all OS. 35,000+ optimized servers in 77 countries with a kill switch, & SOCKS5 proxy for ultimate security at the cost of $2.11/mo . Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best VPNs for Bulgaria — Detailed Analysis (Updated 2023)
Here is the detailed analysis of the best VPN for Bulgaria in 2023:
1. ExpressVPN — The Best VPN for Bulgaria
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Bulgaria with lightning-fast servers in 94 countries, including Bulgaria. With ExpressVPN, you cannot only access international content, but also unblock local financial apps, and TV channels abroad, including BNT 1, bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, Nova Television, and more.
ExpressVPN efficiently bypasses geo-restrictions and gives Americans unrestricted access to all major platforms. For example, I tried accessing Netflix US on its US servers abroad and it worked amazing. To unblock Netflix UK, I simply switched servers from the US to the UK. Plus, there is no bandwidth and fast speeds so you can stream as much as you want.
ExpressVPN also offers a SmartDNS proxy called MediaStreamer that lets Americans access blocked content on devices like Smart TVs and gaming consoles (Xbox, and PlayStation). It offers strong 256-bit encryption, so your online activities remain hidden at all times. It also offers a secure VPN protocol that is the fastest in the industry called Lightway protocol. There is also an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and other security features.
ExpressVPN offers a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, so you can use it free for 30 days and cancel to get a full refund. You can read the ExpressVPN review for details and special discounts.
- 3,000 + servers in over 94 countries
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney + in Bulgaria
- Excellent customer support available over live chat 24/7
- Only VPN with a Safari browser extension
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- Offer 30-day money-back guarantee
- Slightly more expensive than other VPNs
2. Surfshark — Best Value VPN for Bulgaria
Surfshark is the best value VPN for Bulgaria that is quite affordable, costing only $2.49/mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee. It has a decent server network of 3200 servers in 60 countries, including Bulgaria. It is a reliable choice to unblock both international content in Bulgaria and local TV channels and websites abroad. It also features a strong unblocking ability, so you can unblock popular sites like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
There is strong 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and DNS leak protection to make sure your data is secure all the time. Surfshark also offers dedicated features like CleanWeb (an ad blocker), and WhiteLister technology that allows certain apps to bypass the VPN.
The highlight of the VPN is that it allows you to connect unlimited devices at the same time with one subscription. And it is compatible with various platforms so you can use it on multiple devices and also share it with your friends and family in Bulgaria.
Read our Surfshark review for more details.
- 3,200+ servers in over 65 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Efficient 24/7 customer support
- Built-in adblocker, anti-malware.
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video
- Fast servers with stable connectivity
- Limited P2P servers for torrenting
3. NordVPN — Secure VPN for Bulgaria
NordVPN is a popular VPN for Bulgaria with high-end security features like kill switch, encryption, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and more. It is built with security in mind. This secure VPN offers 5500 servers across 60 locations, including Bulgaria. With NordVPN, you can access international content like Netflix, BBC, HBO, Hulu, and more in Bulgaria, along with local content abroad.
There is unlimited bandwidth and support for 6 devices on a single account. So you can use this service for unblocking a wide range of streaming platforms and blocked apps on multiple devices at the same time. It is a great private VPN based in Panama, a country outside the 5 Eyes Alliance, with no mandatory data retention laws.
Privacy is further strengthened with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. We tested NordVPN for IP and DNS leak protection and it passed the test. It showed the IP address of France (at the time of testing, we connected to the French server) instead of my real IP address.
Furthermore, it is compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and even routers.
Read our full NordVPN review for details.
- 5,500+ servers in over 59 countries
- Supports advanced VPN protocols
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Easy compatibility with Smart TVs and other devices
- Unblocks Sky TV, HBO, Disney+ and more
- Some servers take too long to connect to.
- Windows app is sluggish
4. CyberGhost — Best VPN for Streaming in Bulgaria
CyberGhost is the best VPN for streaming in Bulgaria. It is a great option for non-tech savvy users in Bulgaria who want a VPN to secure their online activity and unblock international content. This provider features around 7100 servers across 91 locations, including 22 servers in Sofia, Bulgaria. So, if you frequently travel abroad, you can access local content with CyberGhost and get a Bulgarian IP abroad.
What’s best is that CyberGhost offers optimized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Just connect to the service you want to unblock and you are good to go. For example, if you want to unblock Hulu in Bulgaria, you can simply connect to the Hulu-optimized server.
I did encounter a slight decrease in my speed on its US servers but after some time, there were no buffering or lags. I could easily binge-watch Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix US with CyberGhost in Ultra HD quality on its US servers.
If you want maximum anonymity, CyberGhost also offers NoSpy servers that are safe from third-party intrusions and are managed independently by CyberGhost. There is also a 45-day money-back guarantee so test the service free of cost before buying. Read our CyberGhost review for more information.
- 7,100+ servers in 90 countries
- Uses AES-256 encryption
- Allows 7 simultaneous connections
- Live chat feature available 24/7
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks Netflix, Showtime, Sky TV, BBC, and more
- Doesn’t work in China
- Occasionally slow server speeds
5. Private Internet Access — Best User-Friendly VPN for Bulgaria
Private Internet Access is a great beginner-friendly VPN for Bulgaria with the largest server network among the VPNs on this list. PIA offers 35,000 servers across 77 locations and what’s best is that ALL servers support torrenting. Therefore, if you want to torrent in Bulgaria, PIA is a great choice as it also offers a SOCKS5 proxy – so all your P2P traffic gets encrypted.
If we talk about speeds, PIA performed amazingly well on all its servers. During the PIA speed test, I got a whopping 91 Mbps speed on its US server (my base connection speed was 100 Mbps). So, you can enjoy uninterrupted browsing and streaming with PIA VPN. It also offers an amazing feature called MACE – an adblocker for a smooth online experience as it blocks pop-up ads, banners, and more.
With so many servers, you will have no issue unblocking international content in Bulgaria. PIA also has 24 servers in Bulgaria so you can also access local content abroad. It also offers the highest-grade encryption and kill switch to offer maximum data protection.
You can read our Private Internet Access review for more details.
- Good for torrenting in Bulgaria
- 35,000+ servers in 77+ countries
- AES 256 bit encryption, with MACE feature
- Offer 30-day money-back guarantee
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Based in the U.S
- Can only unblock some Netflix libraries (US, UK, Canada)
Quick steps – How to use a VPN in Bulgaria
Setting up a VPN in Bulgaria is very simple. Just follow these steps below to get started with a VPN in Bulgaria:
- First, choose a VPN and sign up for it. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Next, download and install the VPN app on your device. You can either download it directly from the VPN website or from the App Store.
- Open the VPN app, and log in with your credentials.
- Next, choose a server you want to connect to. For example, if you want to watch American Netflix in Europe, then you can connect to a US server.
- Now you will be able to access all geo-restricted content online without any restrictions in Bulgaria.
- If you are facing connectivity issues, try clearing your browser cookies and cache, and reconnect to the VPN to get a fresh IP address.
Test Methodology: How we tested the best VPN for Bulgaria
At VPNRanks, we tested 25+ VPNs to choose the best one for Bulgaria. Each VPN mentioned above in the list passed all the tests and certain performance criteria. We tested these VPNs on the following things, and you can use this checklist as well to find the best VPN for Bulgaria that meets all your requirements:
- Large server network: To bypass geo-restrictions and access international content in Bulgaria, it is a must that you use a VPN with a global server network. All the VPNs mentioned above have thousands of servers worldwide and in Bulgaria.
- Fast speeds: Make sure to choose a VPN that offers fast server speeds for buffer-free streaming, lag-free gaming, and uninterrupted browsing. All the VPNs on the list offer fast speeds.
- Robust security features: Choose a VPN that offers 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data from hackers and monitoring. The above-mentioned VPNs offer military-grade encryption.
- Privacy Policy: Make sure to select a VPN that offers a legitimate no-logs policy and offers leak protection as well.
- Unblocking ability: All the VPNs mentioned above work with major streaming sites, torrenting, and gaming. Make sure the VPN you choose offers a strong unblocking ability.
- Money-back guarantee: Go for a VPN that offers a money-back guarantee so you can test the service free of cost and get a full refund.
2 Reasons Why You Need a VPN in Bulgaria
Fortunately, Bulgarians can enjoy online freedom and unrestricted access to the internet. There are no censorship laws in the country as well. Moreover, according to Freedom in the World Report 2020, Bulgaria was rated 80/100 which is amazing. Overall, the online freedom situation is pretty good in the country, as there are no reports of government censorship, surveillance, and more.
Nonetheless, there are multiple reasons why you need a VPN in Bulgaria.
1. Online Privacy
First, you are not safe against hackers and snoopers even with online freedom in the country. Anyone can track you online and steal your personal information. With the best VPN in Bulgaria, you can mask your IP address and stay anonymous online as no one can see your online activities. This is especially useful when you are using unsecured public Wi-Fi.
2. Access Restricted Sites
If you are a streamer like me, chances are you would need a VPN to unblock content from all around the world – be it Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, DC Universe, and more. Unfortunately, all these amazing streaming platforms are geo-restricted and cannot be accessed from within Bulgaria. However, with a VPN, you can bypass these geo-blocks and have unrestricted access.
For example, to watch BBC iPlayer abroad, you would need a British IP address that you can get with a VPN. Did you know, Netflix Bulgaria only has 205 shows and 569 movies? Netflix US on the other hand has over 4339 movies and 1300+ TV shows. This is unfair for Bulgarians! With a VPN you can now connect to a US server and access Netflix US abroad and access a bigger content library.
VPN Guides for Other Countries
Here are VPN guides for other countries:
- Best VPN for Austria
- Best VPN for Poland
- Best VPN for Germany
- Best VPN for Switzerland
- Best VPN for USA
- Best VPN for Australia
FAQs – Best VPN For Bulgaria
Are VPNs legalin Bulgaria?
Yes, VPNs are perfectly legal in Bulgaria. In fact, with a VPN, you can browse the internet anonymously and securely. You can also stream geo-blocked content in Bulgaria with a VPN. Our top recommendation for Bulgaria is ExpressVPN with its fast servers, military-grade encryption, and strong unblocking ability.
Can I use a free VPN in Bulgaria?
You can use a free VPN in Bulgaria, but we don’t recommend them due to several reasons. First, most free VPNs don’t offer a lot of server options, so the ones that are available are clustered with users, thus offering extremely slow speeds. Even if you use a free VPN for browsing or streaming, you will face constant buffering, lags, and connection drops.
Similarly, free VPNs are not exactly safe. They log user data and sell information to third-party advertisers. It means they can see the sites you visit and whatever you do online. Others are often supported with ads that become very annoying.
How can I get a Bulgarian IP address?
To get a Bulgarian IP address, all you need to do is connect to a server in Bulgaria. We recommend using ExpressVPN because it has servers in Bulgaria with multiple IP addresses. Follow these steps to get a Bulgarian IP address:
- Choose a VPN with servers in Bulgaria (our #1 recommendation is ExpressVPN)
- Download and install the VPN app on your device
- Login and connect to a server in Bulgaria
- Now you will get a Bulgarian IP address. You can also try this IP check tool to confirm.
Which Bulgarian TV shows can Americans watch with a VPN?
Once Americans have gotten a Bulgarian IP address, you can watch local TV channels abroad. Some of the popular Bulgarian shows to watch include:
- Dear Hiers
- Bulgaria’s Got Talen
- Undercover
- Slavi’s Show
- Bullets of Justice
- Glasat na Bulgaria
- Stolen Life
- Every Sunday
- Fourth Estate
- Condominium
Which VPN is best for streaming in Bulgaria?
The best VPN for streaming in Bulgaria is ExpressVPN. It has super-fast 3000 servers across 160 locations. It also has one of the most strong unblocking abilities and works with almost all geo-restricted platforms and websites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, ESPN, HBO Max, and more.
What is the best VPN for Android users in Bulgaria?
The best VPN for Android users in Bulgaria is ExpressVPN. It has VPN apps for Android available on Google Play Store. You can use it on your smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even Android TV. The app is easy to use with all the advanced features.
Which VPN can unblock torrent sites in Bulgaria?
All the VPNs mentioned above can unblock torrent sites in Bulgaria. Our top recommendations are ExpressVPN and PIA VPN. Both support P2P on all servers and are fast enough to download torrents.
Final Words
The best VPN for Bulgaria that you can use to unblock international content abroad and stay safe while browsing online. Among all these VPNs, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN because it has thousands of international servers and in Bulgaria as well. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can use it free for 30 days and stream away!
