The daytime temperatures vary from 0-5C in the winter and 25-30C in the summer months. This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. If you have any questions about our guides or the country discussed feel free to contact us or leave a comment below and we'll get back to you. In this guide, we are bringing you both the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria as an expat. Youll find plenty of horse-and-cart villages alongside the potholes in what is the EUs poorest member state. 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. In this vlog, we explore some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Europe's most affordable . The economy and salaries are improving, in bigger cities the civic society has taken many steps forward too. And in my opinion is absolutely correct. 2-Bulgarias population is reducing fast. Living in the village, youll notice that its segmented into two main parts the one close to the cable car (a popular winter area) and the normal village, which is where most people prefer to live in spring, autumn and summer. Perhaps, it never really was. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. 6. Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. 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. Ad to these old cars and you can imagine yourself the result. It's one of the most pedestrianised cities in Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo is another Bulgarian city with extreme history and cultural riches. My husband works for an American company here in Sofia, helping their Portuguese team with customer support. If youre looking for a quieter pace of life, fresh produce and a beautiful beach-to-mountain backdrop at a lower cost than France or Switzerland, Bulgaria could be the ideal country for you. Its the cheapest and fastest way to securely transfer money overseas. almost every family has their own 1000 sqm. Especially if you are educated and hard-working. Rent in Bulgaria on averageis 74.06% lower than in the UK. Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. Dealing with those could literally shorten your life span! Living in the city, you can still feel the magnificent presence of the glorious fortress. Bulgaria is a nation that has retained its national identity, history, culture and tradition it has certainly not sold out to the west. Fruit and vegetables are for sale everywhere and are the most delicious. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Renting will allow you to get familiar with the area and make sure it works for you all year round. It is thought that up to a fifth of the 30,000-strong population is foreign. 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. Emilie, thank you for you Intro. Nearby destinations to visit for a calm and relaxing experience include Ravadinovo and its castle, Nessebar, Sozopol, and more. 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. Looking good always trumps feeling comfortable here. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. A hate crime is a criminal offence in Bulgaria, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime. 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) Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. With a monthly budget of 800 1000 lv (349/$483-436/$604) without rent for a single person, you will enjoy a comfortable living. 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. She spends her time running travel websites: Eternal Arrival, Sofia Adventures, and California Crossroads and co-hosting a weekly podcast about anxiety, Im Anxious About. Living in Popovo is a great way to be introduced to the old Bulgarian traditions and to truly explore what life in Bulgaria is like from a different perspective than that of the large city. 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 can also get a beer for 2 leva about a Euro. A hugely popular coastal city on the Black Sea with its own direct budget flights from the UK, this beach town has also become a business hub. Im planning to move to Bansko in about 3 years. 12- Bulgarian people was described as outrageously beautiful. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. Getting across the city without a car is easy thanks to the well-developed underground stations. I hate to be the bearer of bad news however my children were withdrawn from this small private school (one and only private school in Bourgas and very near to Hotel Bulgaria which Its a small town nestled at the foot of the Pirin mountains, with a low cost of living making it attractive to those ski fans otherwise eyeing up France, Italy and Switzerland. Your stay in Bulgaria as an expat could be extremely different based on where you choose to live. You can comfortably walk around the towns streets at 3 AM knowing that youre completely safe. So, make sure you are willing to live in that kind of environment if you are considering a rustic existence in Bulgaria, any way you wont be alone there are many expats that choose those regions and enjoy the positive side of a simpler life, there are regions close to Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, and Elhovo just to mention a few, with relatively big expats communities. Were Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Europe who love to travel the world. I stumbled across this whilst idly surfing, Im not considering leaving Blighty. A family of four can conveniently live in Veliko Tarnovo for about 2,800 lv (1,221/$1,692), excluding rent. Looking forward to your inputs ! Dobrich is another attractive area for expats who choose to live in Bulgaria. Contrast Bulgaria with somewhere like southern Spain or Cyprus for example, and youll know what we mean! Its the perfect place to explore what nature has to offer and connect with our planet. Bulgaria is a funny country it seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. A single person can do well with around 800 lv (349/$483), rent excluded. Staying connected back home is tough, and being an expat in Sofia during the times of coronavirus, its been a lot harder. 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. 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. but there arent perfect countries, you can feel miserable in a rich country and vice-versa, the important is to accept the things how they are, dont waste energy in what can be changed, and when you see a possibility to make the improvements, do it one at the time. Its safe to say that a single person can live comfortably in Sofia with 1,000 lv (437/$605), rent excluded. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Allison Green is a travel writer and podcaster based out of Sofia, Bulgaria. The country is one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a modern, digitized approach to living. 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. Its great that I can walk around Sofia wearing the clothing I feel comfortable in and not have to worry so much about men harassing me on the streets. However, it has not lived up to the bubble hype, with massive over-development, which has led to more tourism diversification into golf greens, climbing centres and spa hotels. This country was established in 681 A.D. and has survived things you wouldnt imagine, they also are the inventors of the Bulgarian alphabet that through the centuries expand to most of the Slavic countries, they even have a day for celebrating the Bulgarianalphabet and culture, its on the 24th of May, you will see student take the streets with their parade. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. 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. But there are also smaller towns that can give you that feeling of the perfect home you are looking for abroad. I was curious about Bulgaria from an American perspective and I appreciate how thoughtful you are. One of the factors behind the outsourcing success. In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. Next up on the list is Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. Dobrich your first step to a magnificent experience, 8. I hope this story helps, good luck with your move! Thankyou, you have provided me with the desire to explore deeper into the possibility of living in Bulgaria, Your email address will not be published. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. Its a perfect place to live if youre after a calm and relaxed way of living, where every moment is full of joy and a feeling of belonging. Bulgarias second city and Europes 2019 capital of culture. The Old Town is home to charming houses in the traditional old-style Bulgarian architecture. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. You wont get far without at least elementary Bulgarian and you should familiarise yourself with the alphabet. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. You need to contrast the cost of living with what you can expect to earn in Bulgaria. Required fields are marked *. 1. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. As an EU country, standard EU rules apply to removals; do note you may need to list serial numbers and brands for all electrical appliances. You can enjoy a number of natural and manmade lakes around Popovo, you can go fishing, explore the birdlife of the region, or organize a camping weekend. You could go to a modern coffee shop in the morning for a coffee and it costs 2.00 leva. Bulgaria implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement programme from 2012 until 2017.Bulgaria also took part in ODIHR's project on "Building a Comprehensive Criminal Justice Response to Hate Crime", helping to develop a joint training programme for police and prosecutors that was piloted in the country. To keep informed, check ourLiving In Europe After Brexit guide on a regular basis. 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. Bulgaria is wonderful only if you dont come into contact with its red-tape bureaucracy and horrid government institutions. Tell us more about your life there ! For retirees, its also the perfect place for a walk by the sea during the day. It has also steadily been climbing in the last 5 years. We were so lucky to visit Plovdiv while there was a cultural festival on. 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. So something that costs 2 leva is about one Euro. When people describe villages in Bulgaria, they describe horse and cart type of villages. I joke that its bizarre that my circle in Sofia is an American, a Zimbabwean, and a Brazilian, but thats the reality! Infrastructure (particularly roads and sidewalks) is bad, improvements to it are slow and slipshod, and these things which you overlook when you first move somewhere can grate on the nerves after a handful of years. You can go on a hunt for natural beauty in the Pirin National Park, take advantage of the thermal baths, and discover a new way of living. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its located near natural lakes. Its located on the banks of the Maritsa river in the Thrace region, southeast of Sofia. They tend to be the ones who have a solid income in place, and who are willing to learn the local language and completely adapt. The people are extremely kind and generous. 8- Bulgarian Cuisine: Thats why food is amazing a Balcan mixture that produces an interesting cuisine that relies on fresh vegetables during the summer, like Chopska Salad (on the picture) and Tarator soup, the traditional cold cucumber soup, more strong dishes for the winter time: baked Pork with sourekraut. Confirm you'd like to join our email list. When you have held a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for 5 years, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship (in Bulgarian). In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. Your pension and other incomes will be taxed in Bulgaria at a flat rate of 10 percent, compared to the UKs 20 45 percent. Punishment includes imprisonment from 1 to 4 years, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 leva . We promise not spam your inbox Mobile phone packages are cheap for 25 leva you get unlimited calls to all networks with some GB internet. To the west of Sofia is the spa town of Bankya, about 20-30 minutes away. They do not abide by any rules and enjoy a protected criminal lifestyle by virtue of being a minority . 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. Bulgarian Citizenship by Naturalization, step By step! I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. Our previous 1-bedroom apartment in the center had been 350 euro a month, and when my husband lived in a studio, he had a gorgeous one for just 220 euro a month. Plovdiv the new go-to for digital nomads and expats, 4. 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. Some links may be affiliate links. 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. The city centre is small enough that no car is required if you live downtown: taxis are cheap and there are plenty of trams. The other reason for the decisions these people have made is the cost of living in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria both boys and girls dress trendy and in tight-fitting clothing. 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