The currency: euro
Bulgaria has used the euro (€) since 1 January 2026 — one less thing to think about if you’re from the eurozone, and simple conversion maths for everyone else.
- Cards and Apple Pay / Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Keep a little cash for markets, small kiosks — and taxis, which are cash-only in Pleven.
- At any ATM or card terminal, if offered a choice, always pay in EUR, never in your home currency — “dynamic currency conversion” quietly takes 5–10%.
Bank account: do you even need one right away?
Probably not in week one. Many students run their first months on Revolut / Wise / N26 — EUR accounts with cards that work everywhere in Bulgaria. Get a Bulgarian account when your paperwork settles, especially if you’ll receive money locally or pay rent by transfer.
When you’re ready:
- UniCredit Bulbank — the most expat-friendly big bank: English-language app and English-speaking staff in main branches.
- DSK Bank — the largest branch and ATM network in the country.
- Bring your passport, and expect to be asked for proof of address (rental contract) and possibly your residence card — requirements vary by branch. Monthly fees are typically €2–10.
What a month in Pleven costs
Pleven is one of the cheapest university cities in Bulgaria — noticeably cheaper than Sofia or Plovdiv. A realistic student budget:
| Item | Monthly (rough) |
|---|---|
| Room in shared flat / dorm | €80–200 |
| Groceries (cooking at home) | €120–180 |
| Bills & internet (your share) | €30–60 |
| Phone (prepaid) | €5–10 |
| Transport (walkable city — student card €7/month) | €0–20 |
| Eating out & fun | €50–150 |
| Total | ≈ €300–600 |
SIM & phone plans
- Operators: A1, Yettel, Vivacom — all fine in Pleven. Prepaid starter pack €4–8 with several GB; passport required by law to register the SIM.
- After a few months, a contract plan (more data, ~€10–20/month) can make sense — but it usually needs your residence documents, so prepaid first.
Home internet
If your rental doesn’t include it: fiber internet in Pleven is fast and cheap — typically €10–20/month.
Our first pick is Sprint (Optisprint) — the local Pleven provider, and the biggest one in the city. Local companies tend to give the fastest service and support here, and they also bundle TV packages if you want them.
- Website: sprint-bg.net (Bulgarian, with an EN option)
- Central office: ul. “Dimitar Konstantinov” 11 — Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
- Second office: ul. “Gotse Delchev” 1 — open every day 09:00–18:00
- Technical support runs 24/7: 064 970 300 · info & enquiries: 064 989 677
Vivacom and A1 are the national alternatives. Whichever you pick, ask your landlord which provider already has cables in the building — that installation happens within days instead of weeks.
Sending & receiving money
Wise and Revolut are the cheapest ways for family to send you money from abroad — far better rates than banks or Western Union. For India/Pakistan transfers, compare Wise vs. Remitly for the day’s best rate.
The golden rule of student money in Bulgaria: pay in EUR always, keep receipts for anything over €50, and never carry your passport for daily shopping — a photo of it on your phone is enough for most situations (the real one stays safe at home, except for SIM registration, banking and official appointments, which require the original).