DSK Bank Alternatives for Virtual Cards in Bulgaria

Virtual cards are like regular bank cards, but they exist only online. They help keep your real card details safe when you shop on the internet. You can use them once or set spending limits, which makes them great for protecting your money.

DSK Bank offers virtual cards, but it might not be the best fit for everyone. Maybe their fees are too high, or their app is hard to use. Perhaps you want more control over your spending, or you need features they don’t have.

Don’t worry – there are other good banking solutions in Bulgaria. This guide will show you the best alternatives to DSK Bank for virtual cards (both traditional banks and fintech solutions). We will look at what each option offers, how much they cost, and what makes them special. By the end, you will know which financial service works best for your needs.

We have analyzed the market and must admit: Spendbase is one of the best alternatives to DSK Bank in Bulgaria

The regulatory landscape

Before we start to discuss the available options, it is good to first understand the regulatory landscape of Bulgaria and how the country protects its users’ information.

PSD2 & BNB authorization

If you want to have virtual cards in Bulgaria, you need to follow some important rules. The main one is called PSD2, a European law that Bulgaria uses too. The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) makes sure that all financial institutions, from large banks to smaller fintech companies, follow the rules.

These rules are working. In 2024, people made over 22 million instant payments in Bulgaria through the national system. That’s double what they did in 2023, and it shows how fast people are switching to digital payments.

Bulgaria has a growing fintech scene with over 135 companies. Most of them are small businesses themselves, which means they understand what other small businesses need.

Strong customer authentication (SCA) & 3-D secure

All virtual card providers must implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and 3-D Secure (3DS) protocols for most electronic payments. Even though it is an important layer of security, which has its benefits, it may still impact user experience, particularly for businesses processing high volumes of transactions.

EMV/SEPA compliance

Card acceptance terminals must comply with EMV chip standards according to SEPA rulebook requirements. It helps to keep the transactions safe as well as maintain compatibility across European payment networks.

Data protection (GDPR) & local-language support

One more rule is that providers must maintain GDPR compliance for data protection and offer consumer-language support in Bulgarian. This is particularly important for SMBs that need local customer service and documentation.

Open banking APIs & integration requirements

Finally, virtual card providers must offer Open Banking APIs (AIS/PISP) with SEPA, IBAN, BIC, and standard PSD2-compliant endpoints. It allows businesses to integrate virtual card services with their existing accounting and ERP systems.

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How to choose your virtual-card provider

Businesses that don’t accept virtual cards lose on average 4.6 % of their revenue to payment uncertainties. With so much at stake, it’s important to know exactly what to look for in a provider.

To help you out, we have collected a checklist of the key criteria to evaluate when selecting a virtual-card partner. Moreover, this checklist was also used to find the top providers, both established banks and fintech solutions providers, that you will see later in the article.

Key decision criteria

• Issuance speed & onboarding. Consider how quickly you can obtain and deploy virtual cards. Fintech solutions typically offer instant issuance, while traditional banks may require longer setup periods.
• Card controls & spend limits. Evaluate the granularity of spending controls, including per-card limits, merchant category restrictions, and real-time monitoring capabilities.
• Integration with your accounting/ERP. Assess API availability and compatibility with your existing financial systems. When you can easily integrate the new software with your existing system, you both reduce manual work and improve expense tracking.
• Local-support availability. Consider the importance of local customer support, especially for compliance issues or dispute resolution.
• Pricing transparency. Compare fee structures, including issuance fees, maintenance costs, and transaction charges. Some providers offer performance-based pricing models.

“Real Bank” vs. “Fintech” Trade-offs

The question of which side to choose: established bank in Bulgaria or fintech solutions, is pretty common among businesses that plan to expand in several countries, including Bulgaria. But here’s what you should know:

• Traditional banks offer stability, local branches, and established customer relationships, but may lag in digital innovation.
• Fintech providers deliver advanced APIs and agility but often have limited in-country support and may require separate banking relationships.

It is good to consider what exactly is the most important to you in terms of operations, availability, and flexibility. This way, you can find your perfect solution.

Banks that offer virtual cards

First, let’s look at what the largest banks can offer. There are several banks that offer virtual cards for both EU and non-EU companies. We will describe what each bank in Bulgaria is about, what their features are, and their pricing model for virtual cards.

DSK Bank

DSK Bank provides virtual cards through its DSK Mobile platform with 3-D Secure authentication. The service offers both one-time and multi-use cards with spend-limit controls and merchant-category locks.

Features:

• Virtual card issuance via mobile banking app;
• Granular spend controls;
• 3-D Secure authentication;
• Merchant category restrictions.

Pricing

Part of the account package with card-control fees per tariff.

Non-EU registration

DSK Bank primarily serves Bulgarian residents and EU entities. Non-European companies may face additional requirements, longer timelines, and additional scrutiny.

UniCredit Bulbank

UniCredit Bulbank offers digital debit cards through its Bulbank Mobile app with instant issuance and comprehensive mobile wallet support.

Features:

• Instant in-app card issuance;
• Apple/Google/Huawei Pay integration;
• 3-D Secure authentication;
• Custom PIN setting;
• Dynamic security features.

Pricing

No card issuance fee; free delivery; standard account fees apply.

Non-EU registration

As part of the UniCredit Group, they may accommodate international businesses, but EU residency or business registration is typically required.

First Investment Bank (Fibank)

Fibank provides both Visa and Mastercard virtual debit and credit cards with contactless POS capabilities and mobile wallet integration.

Features:

• Visa/Mastercard debit and credit options;
• Contactless POS transactions;
• ATM withdrawal capabilities;
• Mobile wallet support (Google Pay/Apple Pay);
• Extensive branch and ATM network.

Pricing

Free card issuance; BGN 5-10 annual service fee.

Non-EU registration

First investment banking institution primarily serves Bulgarian and EU clients. Non-European companies may need to establish local presence or meet additional requirements.

Postbank

Postbank offers the ONE wallet digital card through its mobile app, providing free digital card registration with NFC payment capabilities.

Features:

• Free digital card on registration;
• NFC payments;
• E-commerce integration;
• Spend limit controls;
• Works with any bank card.

Pricing

Digital card free; standard e-banking fees apply.

Non-EU registration

Focuses on Bulgarian market. Non-EU companies may face restrictions or require local business registration.

United Bulgarian Bank (UBB)

UBB provides digital wallet services for Apple Pay and Google Pay with mobile digitization of existing UBB-issued cards.

Features:

• Apple/Google Pay digitization
• SMS and push alerts
• Multi-product bundling
• Multilingual support
• Competitive rates

Pricing

Varies by tariff plan; approximately BGN 1.20/month.

Non-EU registration

Large market presence may accommodate international clients, but EU business registration is typically required.

Fintech alternatives that offer virtual cards in Bulgaria

Now let’s talk about the online banking that also offers virtual cards with registration in Bulgaria. Here, we will check out not only the local providers but also the ones that operate in the EU and the world.

Spendbase

Spendbase specializes in corporate expense management with Mastercard-powered secure 3DS-enabled cards and EU IBAN accounts, as well as offering unique cashback on SaaS subscriptions.

Features:

• Instant Mastercard virtual cards with per-card budget limits and rapid issuance/deactivation;
• EU & UK IBAN accounts, including SEPA and Faster Payments, with sub‑account support;
• 1.5% cashback on virtual card transactions;
• ERP/accounting system integrations;
• Automated SaaS/cloud expense optimization.

Pricing

Performance-based model (25% of realized savings from SaaS/cloud optimizations). No recurring fees for virtual cards or basic IBAN accounts; deposits cover success fees.

Non-EU registration

Serves global companies but may require EU business presence for full compliance.

Striga

Striga offers a developer-friendly API platform for virtual and physical card issuance with real-time authorization and cryptocurrency wallet integration.

Features:

• API-first approach;
• Instant card issuance and controls;
• Multi-currency corporate accounts, including crypto (BTC, stablecoins) and EUR IBANs, all accessible via API;
• KYC, fraud detection, and EU licensing (Estonian VASP license FVT000546) are included in the platform.

Pricing

Striga offers usage-based pricing with custom quotes, without publicly disclosing standard rates.

Non-EU registration

Companies from anywhere in the world can build on Striga, but fully-featured accounts (IBANs, cards) are limited to verified EEA-based identities.

MyFin.bg

MyFin.bg provides instant virtual and digital cards through a mobile-first platform with multi-currency support and biodegradable plastic options.

Features:

• Instant virtual and digital cards via a mobile-first app supporting NFC and smart‑watch payments;
• Biodegradable plastic physical card, issued through Fibank and Mastercard partnership;
• Multi-currency transfers (BGN, EUR, USD, GBP) and allows P2P and link-based payments within its ecosystem;
• Bulgarian IBAN account with free registration and a tiered pricing model (Free, Advanced, Premium);
• Additional features include personal finance management, vouchers, gold trading, and investment options.

Pricing

Free registration tier available. Advanced (12.00 BGN / month) and Premium (20.00 BGN / month) plans introduce monthly fees and reduced transaction costs (SEPA/SWIFT rates).

Non-EU registration

MyFin.bg is a Bulgarian e‑money institution (MyFin EAD), licensed under the Bulgarian National Bank, passported across the EEA, which means they target EEA residents primarily.

Nium

Nium offers global virtual and physical card issuance across 30+ markets with multi-currency wallets and real-time authorization.

Features:

• Issue and track physical & virtual cards in over 30 countries through a single API-driven interface;
• Open wallets in multiple currencies, move funds globally with transparent FX rates, and avoid hidden markups;
• Comprehensive REST API covering card issuance, funding, authorizations, and settlement;
• Authorize, freeze, or adjust card limits instantly to prevent overspending and fraud.

Pricing

Fees (per-transaction, FX margins, and any custom charges) are negotiated during onboarding and applied in real time or as one-off events.

Non-EU registration

Nium supports businesses worldwide. Full card and IBAN features typically require that the legal entity meets local regulatory requirements (e.g., KYC/AML checks governed by the jurisdictions where Nium holds licenses).

Revolut

Revolut provides instant virtual card issuance through its mobile app with open banking integrations and multi-currency wallet functionality.

Features:

• Instant in-app card issuance;
• Per-card spending limits & analytics;
• Hold and exchange up to 36 currencies at interbank rates within the app;
• Connect Revolut Business to accounting, budgeting, or payment initiation services (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite) via Open Banking APIs.

Pricing

Free basic tier; Premium/Metal subscription options.

Non-EU registration

Revolut Business is offered in EEA, UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, and the US. Companies must be registered and show physical presence in a supported country; feature availability (e.g., IBANs, local transfers) depends on jurisdiction.

Free virtual cards for non-EU residents

Open in 1 working day, issue 100 virtual cards, and get up to 1.25% cashback.

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Feature & pricing comparison

Now that we talked about the two main types of virtual card providers, let’s make a quick recap of their main features and what they are best for. Additionally, we will discuss the three types of pricing models and when to choose which.

Side-by-side matrix (Quick-scan table)

Subscription vs. Usage fees vs. Savings-share models

When you are thinking about which type of card to select, also consider what type of pricing structure they have. It is important since it can make a big difference in your total cost and ROI. Here’s a quick guide on when to choose each model, with examples from the providers we’ve discussed:

Deep dive: When to use which option

We have already talked about banks and fintech providers, but you might still have the question like “which one to use in X situation?” To help you understand what would suit your specific case, take a look at the following scenarios.

High-volume Global Payments

If your business settles hundreds or thousands of cross-border transactions every month and needs consistent FX rates, minimal markup, and rock-solid API uptime, this is your lane.

Top picks:

• Nium. 30+ markets, volume-tiered FX engine, end-to-end payment APIs;
• Revolut Business. Interbank FX in 35+ currencies, rapid international payouts.

SAAS & subscription spend management

For companies with major recurring software bills that want to automatically discover, negotiate, and reconcile SaaS invoices without upfront fees.

Top pick:

• Spendbase. 1.5% cashback on SaaS spend, automated GL-ready exports, performance-only pricing.

Embedded API card issuance

If you are building cards directly into your product, virtual or plastic, and need full control over branding, rules, and workflows via APIs.

Top Picks:

• Striga. True API-first platform (cards + crypto wallets + compliance);
• Nium. Developer SDKs, broad licensing, and partner integrations.

Quick local onboarding

When you have an EU-registered entity and need same-day or sub-day corporate banking with standard AML/KYC and no apostilles or branch marathons.

Top Picks:

• UniCredit Bulbank. Digital account setup for Bulgarian companies;
• Postbank. Fast in-branch or online signup for EU businesses.

Pros & cons recap

Each option, whether it is a bank or fintech provider, has its own advantages and disadvantages. With banks, the pros are stability, services that are perfectly set up for business, and local support thanks to being well-known in the country. Fintech providers, on the other hand, offer more flexibility, which is essential for SMBs as well as quicker scalability, not just in Bulgaria but also worldwide.

Banks: stability, local branches, but slower digital innovation

Banks are perfect when you need rock-solid compliance, integrated banking, and the comfort of a branch network, at the cost of slower digital innovation.

Fintechs: APIs and agility, but limited in-country support

Fintech providers are for businesses that need APIs, rapid feature rollouts, and innovative spend controls, while also having deep local support and legacy stability.

Implementation tips for SMBs

Now that you’ve picked the right banking or fintech solution, here are some practical tips to integrate it into your operations without blowing your budget. Nearly 70% of finance-transformation projects exceed their original budgets, and 7% more than double them, so follow these steps to make sure you stay on track.

Pilot with a small team

Don’t go full-scale. It is better to start with a limited rollout to test functionality and user adoption before company-wide implementation. This way, you save yourself time and money, especially if the small roll-up has issues.

Integrate with your accounting/ERP

Then, prioritize providers that offer extensive API integration with your existing financial systems. This way, you minimize the amount of data that has to be manually entered.

Set clear spend policies & alerts

Set up spending limits, merchant restrictions, and real-time alerts to maintain control over company expenses.

Train your staff on SCA & 3DS flows

Don’t forget that not every employee is tech-savvy. Make sure they understand strong customer authentication requirements to prevent transaction delays or failures. For example, provide them with training materials or even set up a team that can quickly answer their questions and concerns.

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Takeaway

When choosing between DSK Bank and other options for virtual cards, it really comes down to what your business actually needs. Different companies work better for different situations, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.

1. Big traditional banks like UniCredit Bulbank and Fibank are solid choices if you want something reliable and straightforward. They are especially good for Bulgarian businesses that have been around for a while and just need basic virtual card services without any fancy features.
2. Newer fintech companies like Spendbase, Revolut, and Nium give you way more cool features and better technology. They are perfect if your business is growing fast and you need things like expense tracking, global payments, or easy connections to your existing systems.
3. All these providers have to follow the same safety rules anyway. You don’t need to worry about security. Additionally, you should understand what features you get, how much you pay, and how good their customer service is.

If having local support and playing it safe is most important to you, stick with the traditional Bulgarian banks. But if you want better features, global reach, or smooth tech integration, go with the fintech options. The smart move is to try out one or two providers first with a small test run. This way, you can see how well they actually work with your business before jumping in completely.