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Find the best way to send money to Bulgaria

Learn how to send money to Bulgaria from Australia in our step-by-step guide.

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Looking for a way to send money to family, friends or a business in Bulgaria (or even to your own bank account overseas)? According to MoneySmart, you should avoid Australian banks and go with a money transfer specialist to get better BGN exchange rates and lower fees on international transfers.

Based on the providers we've compared, Revolut is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Instarem can get money to your recipient in Bulgaria within minutes.

Best ways to send money to Bulgaria from Australia

The best way to send money to Bulgaria depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.
  • Online money transfer provider. When buying Australian dollars or Bulgarian levs money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
  • Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Bulgaria but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. AU banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
  • Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Bulgaria.
  • Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
  • Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Bulgaria

1 - 16 of 16
Name Product AUFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Revolut
Within minutes
$0
Sign up and get a AUD$15 top-up. For new customers only. T&Cs apply.
Send money with great rates and low fees in 25+ currencies. Plan fees apply.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Airwallex
Within minutes
$0
Earn 10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend with Airwallex.
Streamline global payments across 150+ countries with fast settlements and competitive rates in over 60 currencies.
Xe Business Transfers
Within minutes
$0

Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Instarem
Within minutes
From 0%
Get zero fees on your first transfer to India, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, the Philippines, the US and the UK. T&Cs apply.
50% off transfer fees on your first transfer to all other destinations with minimum transfer of $200 and maximum of $7,999.
Xe Large Transfers
24 hours
$0
New customers registering in October 2024 can receive lower pricing on exchange rates. T&Cs apply.
Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Xe Money Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Qantas Business Money
Within minutes
$0
Earn 1 Qantas Point on every $1AUD equivalent converted in foreign currency. T&Cs apply.
Set up accounts in 11 different currencies and get rewarded for global business payments by earning Qantas Points.
Send Payments
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
OFX Business Transfers
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Best Rated Brand
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.43%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Send Payments
Send Payments
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Send business
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Remitly
Best Rated Brand
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $1.99
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
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Cheapest way to send money to Bulgaria

As reported by the ACCC, bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Bulgaria. Revolut and Xe Money Transfers have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

Remember, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer to Bulgaria and this has a couple of elements:
  • Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your Australian bank, money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
  • Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market AUD/BGN exchange rate.

Certain providers may give the mid-market rate but add fees on top and others will have low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Bulgarian levs your recipient will end up with.

Fastest way to send money to Bulgaria

Actual transfer times from Australia to Bulgaria can depend on several factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.

Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to Bulgaria:
  • Revolut — within minutes
  • Instarem — within minutes
  • Xe Money Transfers — within minutes

Safest way to send money to Bulgaria

The safest way to get your money to Bulgaria is using a provider registered with Australia's industry regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both Australia and Bulgaria.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to Bulgaria

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Bulgaria, consider using a provider such as OFX or Xe Large Transfers to secure a better BGN exchange rate and benefit from its expertise handling larger transactions.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:
  • Tax guidance. Large transfers to Bulgaria may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on the Australian Taxation Office's latest advice.
  • Foreign exchange tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the BGN exchange rate you want.
  • Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can offer advice and help facilitate transfers.
  • Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as OFX and Airwallex can provide support over the phone.

How to send money to Bulgaria from Australia

To send money to Bulgaria, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.

  1. Compare your options.
    Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Bulgaria. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
  2. Create an account.
    You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
  3. Provide your recipient's details.
    Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Bulgarian bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
  4. Enter your transfer amount.
    Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total Bulgarian levs your recipient gets.
  5. Complete your transfer.
    Send your money transfer to Bulgaria. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

How to choose a money transfer company for Bulgaria

When selecting a provider to transfer money to Bulgaria, here are the main factors to consider:

  • Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. However, not every money transfer provider offers the mid-market rate so compare the BGN you're offered to the mid-market rate to calculate the margin.
  • Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer amount? A provider offering to transfer your money to Bulgaria for a flat or low fee might work out better if you're sending a large amount.
  • Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Bulgarian bank account or is cash pickup a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
  • Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as MoneyGram offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value.
  • Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, Remitly has a transfer limit of $2,999 while MoneyGram allows transfers up to Varies.
  • Discounts. Providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may give a discount for transferring more than a specific amount of Bulgarian levs.

Is this a good time to send money to Bulgaria?

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