Sofia - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, we generally use credit cards most places. We do always carry cash because sometimes the card machine doesn't work and you will never know until the end of the night. Better safe than sorry. We only use the ATM at the embassy. - Jun 2023
Credit cards are widely accepted and generally safe to use. Like most European countries, when paying they will bring a card swiping machine to you, so you won’t have to worry about them copying your card information in the backroom. ATMs are common and plentiful, but we wouldn’t recommend using all of them. We advise only using Embassy ATMs or ATMs inside of banks, because credit card skimmers are a real threat in Sofia. - Mar 2019
Officially recommended not to use outside of the Embassy ATM, but many people do and have few problems. - May 2016
We are cautioned not to use ATM's and be careful with credit cards but I haven't heard of anyone having problems recently. - Dec 2014
We pay with cash to eliminate the fees. - Nov 2014
Just use the one at the Embassy. - Aug 2014
More and more places accept credit cards, but it's still a cash economy. It's best to use ATMs inside banks, as they say a lot of others could have skimming equipment. There are ATMs on every corner or so it seems. - Jun 2011
They are available and convenient all over. However they are not recommended to use on account of fraud. I did recently have a friend who experienced credit card fraud already since I have been here. Cards can and have been taken from the machines and sometimes they steal your pin number and make random charges to your account. - Oct 2009
This is still a cash-based society. Outside of restaurants, shops, malls and other established outlets, people expect to be paid in cash. That being said there are numerous ATMs all over Sofia. - Feb 2008
