Bulgaria Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
Explore Bulgaria's phone number formats (+359): area codes, structure, and validation. Includes landline (0[2-9]X{5,7}), mobile (08[7-9]X{7}) regex. Examples: Sofia (02), Plovdiv (032). Covers dialing, portability since 2007, and CRC regulation. Ideal for developers needing accurate telecom data.
Phone number standards2 min read
Frequently asked questions
To dial a Bulgarian landline from a mobile phone within Bulgaria, dial 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For instance, to call a landline in Sofia (area code 02), dial 02 followed by the seven-digit local number. This procedure applies to calls within Bulgaria.
The country code for Bulgaria is +359. This code is used when making international calls to Bulgaria from any other country. Remember to drop the leading zero from the area code when dialing internationally.
Bulgaria uses 0 as its national (trunk) prefix, similar to many other countries. This prefix indicates that the following number is a domestic destination within Bulgaria and must be dialed before the area code for calls within the country.
You should include the +359 country code when dialing a Bulgarian number from outside Bulgaria. This signals to the international phone network that you're calling a Bulgarian number. If dialing within Bulgaria, use 0 instead of +359.
Use the regular expression ^08[7-9]\d{7}$ to validate Bulgarian mobile phone numbers. This expression ensures the number starts with 087, 088, or 089, followed by seven digits, matching the format of mobile numbers in Bulgaria.
The general emergency number for Bulgaria is 112. This number provides access to emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance, similar to 911 in the United States or 999 in the United Kingdom.
Dial the international access code (00 or +), followed by Bulgaria's country code (+359), the area code (without the leading 0), and the local subscriber number. Ensure you remove the national prefix (0) from the area code when dialing internationally.
Common area codes in Bulgaria include 02 for Sofia, 032 for Plovdiv, 052 for Varna, 056 for Burgas. These codes represent major cities and are crucial for routing calls to landlines within those specific regions.
Yes, you can call toll-free numbers in Bulgaria from abroad using the format 00800 followed by a five-digit number. Ensure to dial the international prefix 00 before dialing the toll-free prefix.
Number portability in Bulgaria, introduced in 2007, allows subscribers to keep their existing phone numbers when switching providers. This applies to both mobile and fixed-line numbers and has fostered competition among telecom operators in Bulgaria.
Both Vivacom and A1 Bulgaria use the mobile prefix 088. While Yettel formerly used 088, it has transitioned and now shares the 087 prefix with Vivacom.
The Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) is the regulatory body for telecommunications in Bulgaria. The CRC manages the numbering plan, ensures compliance with international standards, and oversees number allocation and portability.
Phone numbers in Bulgaria are allocated based on service type (geographic, mobile, toll-free, etc.) by the CRC. This ensures efficient use of numbers and prevents number exhaustion. They adhere to international standards for phone number formatting.
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Overview
This guide offers a detailed examination of Bulgaria's telephone numbering plan, including number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory aspects. It is tailored for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking accurate and practical information.
Number Structure
General Number Format
Bulgaria's phone numbers are organized as follows:
Number Formats by Type
0[2-9]X{5,7}08[7-9]X{7}00800X{5}090X{6}0700X{5}1XXRegular Expressions
Use these regular expressions to validate Bulgarian phone numbers:
^0[2-9]\d{5,7}$^08[7-9]\d{7}$^00800\d{5}$^090\d{6}$^0700\d{5}$^1\d{2}$Examples
0321234567(Plovdiv)0878123456(Yettel)00800123450900123456070012345112(General emergency)Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
0+ [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number]03212345670+ [Mobile Prefix] + [Subscriber Number]08781234560899123456International Calls
00+ [Country Code] + [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number]0049 30 1234567+359+ [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number]+359 2 9123456Number Portability
Since 2007, Bulgaria has allowed number portability for both mobile and fixed-line numbers, enhancing customer retention and competition in the telecom market.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
087, 08802 (Sofia), 052 (Varna)087, 088032 (Plovdiv)088, 089056 (Burgas)089Regulatory and Numbering Management
Regulatory Body
The Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) manages Bulgaria's numbering plan, ensuring compliance with ITU-T standards like E.164, and oversees number allocation and portability.
Number Allocation and Management
Numbers are allocated based on service type (e.g., geographic, mobile, toll-free) and managed by the CRC to ensure efficient use and prevent number exhaustion.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
Recent updates include reallocating mobile prefixes like
087and089to meet demand. No major upcoming changes are currently announced.Technical Considerations
For Developers and Systems Administrators
+359country code and strip the leading0for domestic numbers.112.