Yeah, no issues at all
1 Like
I agree and had the same experience. I now always have to carry a back up card as monzo can’t always be relied upon like mainstream banks
Apple Pay showing the same error invalid card, is there a chance Apple Pay is generating different version of this BIN which is rejected by BORICA again on the contactless POS?
1 Like
NO card can be relied upon. I’ve had far fewer issues with Monzo (not in Bulgaria but overall) than most cards. I always say at least three different issuers and networks should be carried at all times.
1 Like
Most probably this is the issue as I found in Apple Pay dev pages that “This BIN will differ from the BIN of the underlying card“
2 Likes
Diana, where in Bulgaria did you go?
I’m going to Bansko next week so trying to find out if I can rely on Monzo for ATM / restaurant payments.
Hi, I was only in Sofia and Plovdiv and had no problems with the card. Not sure about Bansko, but it’s a touristy place so imagine businesses would be taking cards. Maybe ask the place where you’re staying?
Diana Danova
mod note: edited to remove personal info
Thanks for responding Diana…
I’ve ended up getting cash to cover all bases.
I’ll give the card a go to check.
1 Like
Hi David, I too am going to Bansko this week. Hopefully it works out, I’ve put all my eggs in one basket! Fingers crossed. Will let you know how I get on.
2 Likes
Just came back from Bulgaria (Sofia and Plovdiv specifically)
No issues using Monzo card. Ranging from restaurants to supermarkets to local corner shops + Vitosha mountain cable car.
Can I use my card while on holiday in Bulgaria?
There’s a whole topic discussing peoples experience with using Monzo in Bulgaria below…
Hope this helps
and here:
1 Like
Thank you. That’s all I needed to know. Will make sure I take enough cash or just transfer it to my friend
1 Like
If you read to the end of that thread you’ll see that most recent visits to Bulgaria have had no issues using Monzo. That was certainly my experience when I was there.
I used 2 different ATMs to withdraw cash, and my card about 20 times in various locations. Worked fine every time 
In Sofia, Bulgaria now and most places take cash or card (but locals seem to prefer cash)
In terms of ATM fees:
UniCredit Bulbank- free to withdraw cash
Post Bank - free to withdraw cash. Their ATM at Sofia Airport wanted to use currency conversion which I declined, and then no fee for using
Central Cooperative Bank (CCɓ)- free to withdraw cash
DSK Bank (Банка ДСК) - wanted to charge 3 lev (~£1.30) fee for cash or use dynamic currency conversion (which was about 10% worse than the rate listed on Google). Some places online list this as a free ATM for UK cards but this looks no longer to be the case
Also Oɓɓ and Ziraat bank ATMs were free too (believe Ziraat are a Turkish bank, but had branches in Bulgaria too)