To enrol in the Bulgarian healthcare system, you must first get your residency. I like that I know the ins and outs of the best sights, restaurants, and things to do in Sofia, but I struggle with a lot of day-to-day interactions, like figuring out an issue with paying bills or handling paperwork at the migration office. She runs her own digital content consultancy, Locke Digital. 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. There are eight municipalities in Dobrich and they all deserve consideration. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. Confirm you'd like to join our email list. Its positioned on a high hill over the Yantra River and is home to an old town and a modern city centre. As in any other EU country, in Bulgaria, you will need EHIC to access public healthcare as a Bulgarian resident. Its mostly residential and for families, and I like it for living, but its nowhere interesting to go out in. To put it simply, Plovdiv doesnt disappoint in any way. Learn how your comment data is processed. But if you would like to appreciate the beautiful landscape and have enough time, you can take the slow train service, you can pass from the mountains to the Black Sea coastline in a couple hours and in between, you will find beautiful valleys. If you're planning on moving to Bansko, you can take a look at apartments on this Facebook page. To keep informed, check ourLiving In Europe After Brexit guide on a regular basis. Low cost of living 3. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, they still have their own currency, Leva. Registering my business in Bulgaria was a total headache. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. Its best to avoid regions like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and Sveta Nedelya Square. Other Black Sea resorts include Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, St Constantine and Helena. It was so much easier in New York. 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. You need to contrast the cost of living with what you can expect to earn in Bulgaria. Some links may be affiliate links. 2. I'll further discuss whether Bulgaria is attractive for expats or not. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. There has always been a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better. A. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. Im in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend who works in Sofia, Bulgaria. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Bulgaria (especially Sofia) has become incredibly interesting to me recently. They attract a very good salary which they can live on here exceptionally well, especially if they work remotely for a company from abroad. Ad to these old cars and you can imagine yourself the result. In fact, Bulgaria, in general, is well-known for its blazing Internet that allows you to easily communicate online whenever you want to. However, if you prefer the comfort of your personal vehicle, driving around town is not a problem and theres plenty of parking space available. The 9 Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat, Living In Bulgaria: Essential Expat Guide 2023, The British Expats Who Bought A Ruin In Bulgaria, 7 Reasons To Consider Living In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, The Ins And Outs Of Living In Sofia, Bulgaria As An Expat, An Essential Guide To Living in Varna, Bulgaria As An Expat, Expatras list of the cheapest countries to retire. Expats often choose Haskovo as a popular Bulgarian place to live in as it offers the comfort and cosiness of the small town but its also extremely close to Plovdiv, where you can quickly travel to. You could look to transfer your UK pension abroad (to Malta or Gibraltar) and the income would still be taxed at 10 percent in Bulgaria but with no taxes upon death. Heavy snow in winter, driving a little zanier than you are used to in the UK and potholes mean you will probably want a four-wheel-drive vehicle and will drive on the right side of the road. Bansko is a great destination for expats looking to enjoy a bit of hiking, skiing, cycling, and nature in general. and that you can unsubscribe any time. Find out more about us HERE. All you need to know about moving to and living in Bulgaria as an expat: the cost, the best areas, the pros and cons and much more. Especially if you are educated and hard-working. Unsurprisingly, well start from Sofia Bulgarias capital. Bansko may be popular for its natural riches but an interesting fact is that it also offers some of the fastest Internet! Im sure that women of color struggle a bit more with harassment, but I cant make any generalizations to their experience, as I only know what friends have told me about living or traveling in the region. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 340. 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. 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. Staying connected back home is tough, and being an expat in Sofia during the times of coronavirus, its been a lot harder. The city is vibrant and thrilling, with a range of different restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment venues, concert halls and theatres. So what is it like to live in Bulgaria and how do you go about moving and settling down there? I hope it helped Jean, Allison did a great job sharing her experiences about life in Bulgaria . Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. However, like any other place on earth, Bulgaria has its drawbacks. The country is one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a modern, digitized approach to living. Popovo may not be a large city but it also has delicious food to offer in a few quality restaurants. Well done Suzanne. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. Bulgarian hotel and restaurant prices are apparently below half the average for the EU. I work entirely for myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia. A lot of people here work for very low salaries especially outside of Sofia. Because Gypsies menace daily lives in Bulgaria, Romania quite a bit and that should be a part of the equation for older US expats living in these countries. We strongly recommend renting a property in Bulgaria first, before you buy. 1 Euro. 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. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe, bordering Romania to the south, North Macedonia and Serbia to the east, Turkey and Greece to the north, and the Black Sea to the west. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. You must register your residence in Bulgaria if you are planning to stay for over 90 days, within three months of arrival and either in the Migration Directorate in Sofia or in the nearest regional directorate. Come April, we need to come up with a plan as to who will be moving (me to join him in Bulgaria or him moving back to California). If youre wondering about where you want to spend your time as an expat retiree, Bulgaria is certainly among the top choices. Bulgaria is one of the European countries that has been attracting a large number of expats in recent years and there are many reasons why. Bulgarias appeal was on the rise prior to and immediately following EU accession, and this resulted in a small wave of immigration particularly from the UK and Ireland. Im doing my due diligence in order to come to a sound decision. One of the factors behind the outsourcing success. It is rare to find such a well considered and informative article that isnt trying to sell something. I've just spent six weeks in Bulgaria, it's about as East as Eastern Europe gets. Burgas a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea, 6. You can also explore the Archaeological Museum, the Sea Casino, the Zoo, and visit the Sand Fest in Burgas during the summer. There is also a tax-free allowance of 4,050 (3,460) per year. Healthcare in Bulgaria is universal and financed by compulsory health insurance contributions. You will need to present proof of your income or pension and that you have a bank account in Bulgaria. There are two lakes surrounding Dobrich, offering a delightful opportunity to spend evenings outside. Haskovo is an extremely safe town to live in and you dont need to worry that youll be mugged, robbed, pickpocketed, or that your house will be broken into. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. There is so much history that you can explore in Plovdiv, considering that its the 6th oldest city in the world and the oldest in Europe. A former journalist at Sky News and editor-in-chief for Yahoo, her work has appeared in various publications including Red Bull, The National newspaper in the United Arab Emirates and Expatra. The coolest neighborhoods in the city are the area around Lions Bridge (Lavov Most) near where the Kvartal festival is held, the neighborhood of Oborishte, and the neighborhood of Lozonets. You dont need any type of transport to get around the town as you can reach any point by walking. In addition, Kapana (The Trap), Plovdivs creative district attracts people of all ages with art and creativity. You will need a Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents told us. My husband works for an American company here in Sofia, helping their Portuguese team with customer support. 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. The Greek neighbourhood is also an area that expats love to explore as it offers amazing architecture, small vibrant streets, and attractive street shops and coffee shops. Another thing thats given me culture shock is how Bulgarians nod their yes but mean no, and vice versa! A new and exciting bar, restaurant, coffee shop, or boutique seems to be opening up in the center nearly every other day. You dont have to worry if you fall ill in Sofia the city has great hospitals and medical clinics to keep your health in check. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask the neighbours. The 9 Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat, Living In Bulgaria: Essential Expat Guide 2023, The British Expats Who Bought A Ruin In Bulgaria, 7 Reasons To Consider Living In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, The Ins And Outs Of Living In Sofia, Bulgaria As An Expat, An Essential Guide To Living in Varna, Bulgaria As An Expat, Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria, Some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria, 2. Bulgarias cost of living is low only for those who earn above the average in the country. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I joke that its bizarre that my circle in Sofia is an American, a Zimbabwean, and a Brazilian, but thats the reality! Your pension and other incomes will be taxed in Bulgaria at a flat rate of 10 percent, compared to the UKs 20 45 percent. You can choose your GP so most expats tend to choose a local and/or English-speaking doctor. Living in Bulgaria: A Quick Guide for U.S. Expats. The area around ulitsa Tsar Simeon also has great nightlife, and thats where I go out. The locals are friendly and speak good English, making it easy for expats to get around. One of the greatest things about living in Sofia is that if youre working as an expat and earning in another currency, like I do as an American working mostly with American companies, you can really splurge on a lot of daily activities. For instance, students are mostly located in Student Town (Studentski Grad) or the central parts of the city, while retirees and families would probably prefer a more relaxing and calm place like Pancharevo, Bistritsa, or Boyana. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Especially during summer, Varna is a top destination, even for Bulgarians. However, if you are employed locally and earn an average salary for the country, you will have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. With over 90 neighbourhoods, you can expect a different vibe in every city area. Guys often wear skinny jeans and black Armani T-shirts, while girls go for equally tight pants and skirts with some sort of a designer tank top, be it Mango, Trussardi or Motivi. In some ways I feel like a local, but in most ways I still feel like an outsider. Of course, there are downsides to living in Bulgaria, but the positives are truly great. As the country is becoming more popular with expats, they discover other locations as well. The truth about living in Bulgaria | American's point of view (funny) Lifey 234K subscribers Subscribe 92K views 3 years ago The truth about living in Bulgaria | An American's point of view. 10- We can set aside a paragraph about local wine and Rakia (kind of Brandy), the climate allows grow grapes for homemade wine preparation, and fruits especially plums and apricots for Rakia, many people have their own small distillery at home, but lately, the government is trying to cut down moonshine production, not sure it is working anyway. A monthly budget of 1,200 lv ($722/530) for a family or two will offer a perfect way of living, rent excluded. 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. The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. I guess its best kept under wraps. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure , doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. Perhaps, it never really was. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. Paperwork can be painful. From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life in Bulgaria. The downside is that Varna is one of the more expensive cities in the country, however, it is still a lot cheaper than other European destinations. When they were dancing and singing. Best places to live in Bulgaria 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. Read More Stories on Our Expat Life Page Get New Posts and More Straight to Your Inbox With the Robe Trotting Newsletter. 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. Your stay in Bulgaria as an expat could be extremely different based on where you choose to live. Plovdiv doesnt have an underground but it does offer bus transportation to most parts of the city. A lot of things go into a custody decision and corresponding parenting plan, writes Dr. Jann Blackstone. Runs her own digital content consultancy, Locke digital have a bank account Bulgaria! 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