The national emergency numbers in Bulgaria are:
| Number | Service |
| 150 | Ambulance |
| 160 | Fire brigade |
| 166 | Police/Traffic police |
Useful telephone service numbers include the following:
| Number | Service |
| 121 | Operator service for domestic calls |
| 144 | Business directory enquiries for Sofia |
| 145 | Private directory enquiries for Sofia |
| 1286 | Car breakdown service (Sofia) |
| 146 | Car breakdown service (outside Sofia) |
| 175 | Weather forecast |
Public Telephones
Despite the increasing use of mobile phones, public phone booths can be found in all towns and villages – in post offices, bus and railway stations, airports, bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and of course, in the streets.
There are two types of public phone, using different systems and taking different types of phone card:
- Betkom (in blue livery) and
- Bulfon (orange)
Bulfon phones are more widespread and usually better value for local calls, whereas Betkom phones tend to be are more reliable and better for international calls and long-distance calls within Bulgaria. Neither type of phone takes coins. Phonecards are sold at most shops and kiosks.
This is an extract from Survival Books’ Living in Bulgaria.
This article is an extract from Buying a Home in Bulgaria
from Survival Books.