ShareYourGroupShareYourGroupIBAN

IBAN format of Bulgaria: 22 characters, starts with BG

An IBAN of Bulgaria is 22 characters long and begins with BG. Here is what each part means, a made-up example, and how to check one.

Made-up example (not a real account)

BG58 XXXX 1234 5678 9012 34

  • BGCountry
  • 58Check digits
  • XXXXBank code
  • 1234Branch code
  • 56Account type
  • 78901234Account number
Length
22 characters
Starts with
BG
After the check digits
4 capital letters, then 4 digits, then 2 digits, then 8 letters or digits
Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)
Yes
Layout code in the registry
BG2!n4!a4!n2!n8!c

Part by part

PositionPartMade ofIn the example
1 to 2Country code2 capital letters: BGBG
3 to 4IBAN check digits2 digits58
5 to 8Bank code4 capital lettersXXXX
9 to 12Branch code4 digits1234
13 to 14Account type2 digits56
15 to 22Account number8 letters or digits78901234

The parts with a name here are: Bank code, branch code, account type, account number. The bank decides the bank code and the account number; you never have to work them out yourself. The layout code BG2!n4!a4!n2!n8!c is how the registry writes this: a number, then n for digits, a for capital letters or c for letters or digits.

How to check an IBAN of Bulgaria

  1. Count the characters without spaces. There must be exactly 22.
  2. The first two must be BG, and the next two must be digits.
  3. After those four, the rest must follow the layout: 4 capital letters, then 4 digits, then 2 digits, then 8 letters or digits.
  4. Run the check-digit test. The IBAN checker does all four steps for you and shows which one fails.

Writing it down

On paper, an IBAN is written in groups of four characters with spaces, as in the example above, so that it is easier to read and compare. In online banking and in files it is entered without spaces. Both forms are the same IBAN. Letters are always capitals.

How it compares

At 22 characters, it sits between the shortest IBAN in the registry (Norway, 15 characters) and the longest (Russia, 33 characters). The same length is used by Bahrain, Costa Rica, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Montenegro, Serbia, United Kingdom, each with its own layout. It mixes letters and digits after the check digits.

Common questions

How many characters does an IBAN of Bulgaria have?

An IBAN of Bulgaria always has 22 characters: the letters BG, two check digits and 18 more characters for the bank and the account.

What does an IBAN of Bulgaria start with?

It starts with BG, the country code, followed by two check digits.

Is Bulgaria in SEPA?

Yes. Bulgaria is part of the Single Euro Payments Area, so euro transfers to and from it use the IBAN.

Layout checked in November 2026 against the SWIFT IBAN Registry data. The example is made up. For a payment, use only the IBAN given by the account holder or the bank, and check with the bank if in doubt.

Check an IBAN All countries