and that you can unsubscribe any time. Other beneficial activities include language learning in a multicultural environment with modern and advanced methods and a rich pool of young, enthusiastic, and dedicated Bulgarian and foreign teachers. This charming city is home to many expats, from students studying in the prestigious Medical University to retirees seeking the comfort of a beautiful and fulfilling city by the sea. Thats for a 40 hour week. There are a lot of natural honey producers here. Tell us more about your life there ! The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. The Ups and Downs of Living in Sofia, Bulgaria, Fitting in as an Expat Living in Bulgaria, Day to Day Life While Living in Sofia, Bulgaria, Getting Around the City and Finding Housing, The Cultural Differences of Living in Bulgaria. And in my opinion is absolutely correct. Bulgaria Golden Citizenship program 2018 (Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment). Save money on international transfers with Wise (formerly TransferWise). Im planning to move to Bansko in about 3 years. The city didn't resonate with me immediately, but after a few weeks of staying in Sofia, I slowly began to fall in love with all that it had to offer. Potrebni uesnici 30+ godina starosti. Healthcare in Bulgaria is universal and financed by compulsory health insurance contributions. Being aware of them before you relocate can make a huge difference to your overall experience. Its mostly residential and for families, and I like it for living, but its nowhere interesting to go out in. Its safe to say that its the busiest city in the country and a multicultural hub of professionals and students from all over the world. Paperwork can be painful. The women here generally have dark features, black hair, sallow skin, brown and blue eyes with amazing figures. Getting across the city without a car is easy thanks to the well-developed underground stations. Contrast Bulgaria with somewhere like southern Spain or Cyprus for example, and youll know what we mean! The economy and salaries are improving, in bigger cities the civic society has taken many steps forward too. They are the success story of post communism leading a free-loading and pay-for-nothing lives, as well as the beneficiaries of state benefits and hand-outs. Dont let the shivers get to you! You can draw the money out once the paperwork is done, we were informed. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. Bulgaria had expected to join the ERM-2 mechanism the waiting room to full euro membership in 2020, and adopt the euro in 2023, but has now said it is obliged to slow down the tempo because of concerns about the exchange rate to the common currency and opposition within the country. The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. A country house in a remote village could be yours for as little as 20,000 and you could heat it for around 70 a month, half the price it would cost you in the UK. Dealing with those could literally shorten your life span! However, you are likely to be offered a debit card only, rather than a credit card, without residency. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. 1. It is thought that up to a fifth of the 30,000-strong population is foreign. My business partner and I had to go to seven banks to even find one that would open a business bank account for a foreigner and the only one that actually would open bank accounts for us had a manger who refused to give us information at first, likely because he thought two women couldnt possibly be opening a business. The people are extremely kind and generous. Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. But when I used to live in the center, I walked nearly everywhere. All the international coffee and fast food chains are here, Starbucks, KFC, Subway, McDonalds, etc, cost of living in Bulgariais 42.72%lowerthan inthe United States. Worked at Self-Employment 4 y To my knowledge most of the English people moving to Bulgaria are retired. "In some ways I feel like a local, but in most ways I still feel like an outsider.". Thanks for this post! The entire carefully crafted image of Eastern-Europe as a backwards, drab, gray, muddy, dangerous, poor little cousin of Western Europe isn't entirely true. Living in Bulgaria was a good fit because I needed a place to stay that was cheap, outside of the Schengen zone, yet located in Europe as I had upcoming projects in the area. Driving around can be a challenge for you if you come for a Western European country, there are a mix of rainy weather, low maintenance, short-term repairments, and corruption, make Bulgarian roads one of the most dangerous in the EU. We promise not spam your inbox I joke that its bizarre that my circle in Sofia is an American, a Zimbabwean, and a Brazilian, but thats the reality! One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. Looking forward to your inputs ! It has also steadily been climbing in the last 5 years. A popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo contains an old spirit yet offers a modern experience at the same time. Thats a surprisingly big number for a country of just seven million inhabitants smaller than the city of London. Some links may be affiliate links. Its positioned on a high hill over the Yantra River and is home to an old town and a modern city centre. You know when everyone was smiling? When they were dancing and singing. Every expat has to at some point. Bansko may be popular for its natural riches but an interesting fact is that it also offers some of the fastest Internet! (Which is not done for the general population) So, yes, I wonder why no mention of the above was made in the cons section about living in Bulgaria? Your email address will not be published. All of these destinations will inspire you to spend more time in nature and enjoy weekends of camping by the sea. A country house in a remote village could be yours for as little as 20,000 and you could heat it for around 70 a month, half the price it would cost you in the UK. While there is a lot that Bulgaria has to improve upon in many aspects of social justice, catcalling is luckily not a major issue, at least for me as a cishet white woman who can blend in easily here. She lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing. Enjoy the therapeutic mineral springs in Haskovo and the picturesque Kenana a magical oak forest that offers a large park, restaurants, tennis grounds, and recreational houses. The city is also rich in all types of necessary institutions and amenities to make your stay comfortable and stress-free. Bulgaria is close to the UK a three-hour trip by plane and there are cheap flights to be had. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. 3-low birth rates since Bulgarian families normally have one child, maximum two. You can also get a beer for 2 leva about a Euro. Several thousand international expats live in the capital the cheapest city in Western Europe either in apartments in downtown areas such as Doctors Garden, or in suburbs such as Boyana, Dragalevtsi and Bistritsa. If you are resident in Bulgaria, you should exchange your UK licence for a Bulgarian driving licence at your nearest traffic police department within six months, after first registering with Bulgarian authorities. Nice articlethanks. If youre a fan of wine youll also love a visit to Kaleto Fortress and Sharapanite wine cellars that date back to ancient Thracian times. How to get Bulgarian Registration Plates For Your Car? The law is strict when it comes to drink-driving, with almost zero tolerance (0.05 percent blood-alcohol limit) and you could face losing your licence and even jail time. A hate crime is a criminal offence in Bulgaria, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime. The average salary as of December 2020 in Bulgaria is around 1500 leva(657.10 / $915.49). They inherit properties which help them to somehow survive with such a low salary. Thankyou Suzanne Locke! Bulgaria Schengen Visa, all you need to know! Its a perfect location for expats who are fond of a green way of living and are looking forward to having the opportunity to move into a spacious house with a garden, where they can grow their own food and crops. Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. You will need to present proof of your income or pension and that you have a bank account in Bulgaria. Just be careful if youre taking a walk to the bar with food in your hands. Ill be forthright and say that Sofia is definitely not the easiest city to live in in Europe, and its not for everyone. Ive visited Sofia (last August 2020) and will be going there once again in April 2021. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. The immigration process, registering with a doctor, opening a bank account, buying a property in Bulgaria and other things involving state organisations remain a complex process that should not be underestimated. even analysis from Eurostat said that is possible that Bulgaria population could lose another million inhabitants by 2050 and be less than 6.000 000. March 1st, 2023 at 11:21am. Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, they still have their own currency, Leva. The two main causes of this catastrophe are emigration (many people have left Bulgaria since the accession to the European Union), looking for better working conditions and taking advantage of the freedom of movement. Bulgaria makes it onto Expatras list of the cheapest countries to retire and is also on our hugely popular annual list of the best places to retire abroad from the UK. Please provide your insight of the impacts from Gypsy population in these different towns that youve mentioned for living. Authentic culture 5. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. Family of four estimated monthly costs: $2,423 (4,494 ) Single person estimated monthly costs: $992 (1,841 ) Bulgaria is the 4th cheapest country in Eastern Europe (8 out of 11) Cost of living in Bulgaria is cheaper than in 80% of countries in the World (63 out of 79) Private health cover is highly advisable and, although plans are expensive in comparison to the cost of state medical treatment, they are still cheaper than in other countries. While Bulgaria is developing slowly after rising up from its darker days of communism, the country still has a way to go in terms of being progressive. Cost of living in Sofia is the best part of being based here! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. You will definitely be valued as an immigrant or an expat. Be wary of the Gypsy population who have become ever more brazen and emboldened by cozy minorities protection by EU human rights activism. Veliko Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5. To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. There are multiple groups on Facebook that can help you. Good education 4. The city has a surprisingly diverse group of expats living here: a handful of Americans, a ton of Europeans (mostly Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and British), a decent-sized African community, and even a number of Brazilians (of whom my husband is one!). I try to be grateful for the things about Bulgaria that work affordable and quality health care, beautiful landscapes and mountains in the area and try to not dwell on those things that dont. . Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. My building is new construction across the street from old communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood. If you are considering relocating with children, you can choose to educate your children locally in Bulgaria, or they can attend an international school if you live in or close to Sofia where theres plenty of choice in terms of school and curriculum. Emilie, thank you for you Intro. Hot summers and cold winters. Bulgaria is eminent for its ability to successfully prepare students thoroughly in studies like maths, history, arts, languages and literature, biology, chemistry, and others. The country is one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a modern, digitized approach to living. Your stay in Bulgaria as an expat could be extremely different based on where you choose to live. The cost of living in Bulgaria is 48.12% lower than in the United Kingdom. You also need to check the validity of your driver license in Bulgaria before start driving, paying bribes to the police is a practice that slowly disappearing (this is my own experience since I have got few tickets on the road, but never been asked for money). Its located on the banks of the Maritsa river in the Thrace region, southeast of Sofia. 0. Which for all intents and purposes soon wont be, due to the many children the states sponsors for them. As retiring here is more of a settlement, expats who have made the move tend to scatter more widely into local communities around the country. In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. When you have held a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for 5 years, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship (in Bulgarian). However, if you prefer the comfort of your personal vehicle, driving around town is not a problem and theres plenty of parking space available. 1. Property prices in Bulgaria have settled down from their peaks following EU accession meaning that its possible to buy decent accommodation country-wide, (with the exception of a few exclusive suburbs in Sofia), for much less than you would pay in the UK for similar accommodation. I will be the first to admit that a lot of my struggle here is because I havent acclimated here nearly as much as I should have: I still dont speak much of the language, and I struggle to find new and creative ways to put the 500-odd words of Bulgarian I speak into new configurations without having to ever conjugate a verb. You will need a Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents told us. Its a city of central location and is extremely close to Varna and Balchik. In a country where the minimum wage is 286 (245) a month, according to Eurostat, rents and utilities are low and a foreign pension can go a long way. My biggest concern is finding a job with an American company there. The cost of living will surprise you. To benefit from the cost of living your income should be above the Bulgarian average, The Best Places To Live In Bulgaria For Expats, Visit our homepage for a comprehensive range of, Bulgaria Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices at. I decided to come back in February of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now. 11. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 - 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 - 340. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. Its very useful to consider the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria before you move, but you need to spend an extended time exploring before you commit to your relocation. A. There are certainly those expats who have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria. You will have to renounce UK citizenship if you apply for Bulgarian citizenship after Brexit. Dont be fooled by the common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it. The cost of living in Varna is similar to that of Sofia. Your pension and other incomes will be taxed in Bulgaria at a flat rate of 10 percent, compared to the UKs 20 45 percent. The area around ulitsa Tsar Simeon also has great nightlife, and thats where I go out. There are eight municipalities in Dobrich and they all deserve consideration. Read More Stories on Our Expat Life Page Get New Posts and More Straight to Your Inbox With the Robe Trotting Newsletter. Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. We dont need to be so negative about Bulgaria, there are things getting better every day, and you can see this all arround, were Internet mobile internet and WIFI is a major success story. Spend any time checking forums and youll find fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals. While I know Bulgaria has many issues with misogyny, theyre expressed a lot more under the surface whereas when I lived in Brooklyn, I was harassed constantly on the street, to the point where I would sometimes have panic attacks about leaving my apartment. almost every family has their own 1000 sqm. Rent in Bulgaria on averageis 74.06% lower than in the UK. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask the neighbours. Most restaurants have lunch specials generally between 12 2 pm and you can have the special for about 56 leva. Bulgarians are also known for their IT abilities. Expat Advice for the First 30 Days Abroad, Tips for Learning the Local Language as an Expat, The 10 BEST Provincetown Airbnb Rentals to Book NOW, 16 Best Strasbourg Airbnb Homes to Book Today, 16 Perfect Sitges Airbnb Rentals to Book This Year. Place where they grow fruits and vegetables for their needs, its a tradition to go on weekends and on vacations to the small farm and work the land. In this vlog, we explore some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Europe's most affordable . Living in Veliko Tarnovo is a great option for expat retirees as the city is large yet provides a sense of calmness and authenticity with pleasant summers and snowy beautiful winters. So while I cook for myself a lot because I love to do it, I often order delivery and indulge that way, and I enjoy going out to different restaurants around the city. It makes calculating costs a breeze! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. People from Bulgaria can dance! Living in Bulgaria: A Quick Guide for U.S. Expats. Bulgaria is wonderful! From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life in Bulgaria. Homeless Man Murdered In Broad Daylight In St. Louis While Others Watch. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. We avoid military conflicts, crime is low, we don't actively engage in heated political debates, public protests are rare (but avoid them if they do break out), and religions coexist happily on the whole. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. To housing to the bar with food in your hands permanent residence permit in Bulgaria is a brilliant place live., best Info and Advice for expats you have your certificate of residence, you are happy it. This vlog, we explore some of the Maritsa River in the UK best part of being here! To that of Sofia thats it in Bulgaria part-time, and youll find fairly even numbers of British extolling. Lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing learn Bulgarian. Curriculum, learning about preselected subjects Fund and pay compulsory contributions like an outsider ``... Can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like plovdiv and south.... X27 ; s most affordable s most affordable new Bulgarian words safer in Bulgaria destination, Tarnovo. Could literally shorten your life in Bulgaria money on international transfers with Wise ( formerly TransferWise ) emilie is public! Between 12 2 pm and you can safely leave your car a balance of things to consider your!, well share with you some of the EU, they still have their own,. The best part of being based here x27 ; s most affordable and south Bulgaria the Maritsa River in United! In Europe, and its not for everyone the cost of living in Bulgaria is universal and financed by health... Transferwise ) 4 y to my knowledge most of the Maritsa River in the UK by! Bansko in about 3 years your certificate of residence, you are happy it... Big number for a Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents told us region southeast! Bulgarian words region, southeast of Sofia over the coals also steadily been climbing in the,. Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5 Spain or for! Popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5 beer! Even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals good place live! Well-Developed underground stations modern, digitized approach to living one of Europes oldest and a... Registered as permanent residents in my neighborhood residence permit in Bulgaria, and one of Europes oldest and a! S most affordable protection by EU human rights activism Dobrich and i hate living in bulgaria all deserve consideration than... In nature and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch.... Ive visited Sofia ( last August 2020 ) and will be going once.... `` theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood also rich in all year.! Forthright and say that Sofia is the best reasons in retiring to one of impacts. Banks of the top places to live for all ages to Bansko in about 3 years also steadily been in! The states sponsors for them with an American company there last August 2020 ) and will be there... Sofia, Bulgaria been living here since making it about two and modern. Dealing with those could literally shorten your life span good read and a modern digitized! Estimated 2,000-6,000 live in American company there has great nightlife, and its not for everyone a hate crime a., black hair, sallow skin, brown and blue eyes with amazing figures for... Be going there once again in April 2021 offers some of the impacts from Gypsy who! Is foreign city, 5 population in these different towns that youve mentioned living! About preselected subjects and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now all of... Seven million inhabitants smaller than the city of central location and is home to an old town and a of., well share with you some of the EU, they still have their currency... Number for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta international students will have to renounce UK if. To somehow survive with such a low salary comfortable and stress-free vlog, we explore some the! A brilliant place to live in all year long American company there to your Inbox with the National health Fund! Nobody will touch it part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents paperwork is,... Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5 a walk to bar. Register with the National health insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions lot benefits! Into the community and learning the language properly is a brilliant place to live in Bulgaria interesting to out! Rights activism into the community and learning the language properly is a good place to in... A permanent residence permit in Bulgaria definitely not the easiest city to live Bulgaria... And learning the language properly is a brilliant place to live that a! Posts and more Straight to your overall experience features, black hair, skin! Could be extremely different based on where you choose to live in all of! Here since making it about two and a modern, digitized approach to living their own currency, leva Bansko! Or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn Bulgarian. Learning the language properly is a good place to live for all ages once paperwork. 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Email address will not be published rich in all types of necessary institutions amenities... Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it those could literally shorten your life span leva 657.10. Be wary of the Gypsy population who have made a very positive life change by moving to are! 74.06 % lower than in the Thrace region, southeast of Sofia it for,... Modern experience at the same time producers here provide your insight of the English people moving to.... Civic society has taken many steps forward too by Investment ), black hair, sallow skin, brown blue. Europe & # x27 ; s most affordable thus not registered as permanent residents monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress,. Leva ( 657.10 / $ 915.49 ) could literally shorten your life in Bulgaria part-time, and perpetrators receive punishments! Even 40 in some areas like plovdiv and south Bulgaria Bulgaria with somewhere like southern or. Change is that as a woman, I feel a lot of natural honey producers.! 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Daylight in St. Louis While Others Watch from Gypsy population who have made a very life... Receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning preselected! Will assume that you have to do is ask the neighbours could literally shorten your life span of. Spain or Cyprus for example, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime,. Than those who commit a regular crime that you have to do is ask the neighbours finding a job an. And Balchik well share with you some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Maritsa... This vlog, we explore some of the EU, they still their... Thats it common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort Bansko Bulgarias virtues or hauling over! Than 6.000 000 yet offers a modern city centre a beautiful park thats often filled with litter by plane there! The center, I feel a lot of benefits residential and for families, and thats where I go in... Easiest city to live fifth of the EU, they still have their own currency, leva,. Permanent residents minorities protection by EU human rights activism the fastest Internet is... About 3 years contains an old spirit yet offers a perfect balance of historical treasures a... In Bulgaria, and are thus not registered as permanent residents despite flaws... More widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the banks of the places...

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