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. 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 majority of these long-term and permanent residents have settled in central Bulgaria near Veliko Tarnovo, a Bulgarian National Revival-era city with medieval churches and a fortress, which is currently awaiting UNESCO World Heritage . Please provide a breakdown of monthly costs for food, transportation, internet and average rent for each of the towns. Bulgarias cost of living is low only for those who earn above the average in the country. I have a few local friends, but mostly Ive stuck to the expat community, as my husband works with mostly Portuguese people and my business partner here is American. Burgas is another beautiful city on the Black Sea coast and the fourth biggest in the country. I hate to be the bearer of bad news however my children were withdrawn from this small private school (one and only private school in Bourgas and very near to Hotel Bulgaria which Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. They do not abide by any rules and enjoy a protected criminal lifestyle by virtue of being a minority . Driving a car around the city centre may be difficult as parking is an issue. Perhaps, it never really was. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. Lifestyle and the cost of living in Bulgaria, Settling in Bulgaria: formalities and paperwork, Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat, etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site, How A British Family Bought & Renovated A House In Bulgaria, Expatras guide to international removals, The Pros & Cons Of Expat Life In Bulgaria, List of Regional Migration Directorate offices, Bulgaria visas and residency for US citizens , Living in Bulgaria after Brexit (for UK citizens) . Plovdivs Old Town is bound to steal your heart at a first glance. Which for all intents and purposes soon wont be, due to the many children the states sponsors for them. Next up on the list is Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. It was so much easier in New York. Its the cheapest and fastest way to securely transfer money overseas. Updated 9/11/2022 About hate crimes A hate crime is a crime committed against someone because of their ethnic origin, nationality, race, religion, sexuality or political beliefs. 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). The expat scene in Sofia is small but tight-knit. All of these destinations will inspire you to spend more time in nature and enjoy weekends of camping by the sea. Its completely natural to see deers, boards, rabbits, hares, and squirrels moving through the villages. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. The freelancer visa is nearly impossible to get, not least because it starts with speaking B1-level Bulgarian (which is hard to do unless you already live here.). Every expat has to at some point. They attract a very good salary which they can live on here exceptionally well, especially if they work remotely for a company from abroad. One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. 8 Best reasons to retire to Bulgaria! From our contacts and from forums, the answer is yes: you can still open a Bulgarian bank account as a non-resident (although one Bulgarian, who had helped a non-resident Greek contact open an account recently, told us it was a challenging task). The cost of living in Varna is similar to that of Sofia. 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. Its comfortably positioned in the eastern part of the Danube plain, in whats considered one of Bulgarias most fertile lands Dobrudja. 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. Thankyou Suzanne Locke! Popovo the place where anyone can feel at home, 7. 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. Veliko Tarnovo is another Bulgarian city with extreme history and cultural riches. 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. I stayed for a month when I was still traveling around the world full-time. "I hate living in California because I have to drive everywhere and then look for parking and also pay for it. Other Black Sea resorts include Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, St Constantine and Helena. Shes obsessed with doting on her 8-year-old Bulgarian rescue dog, Rocky, and planning her next trip. 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. 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. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. The cost of living in Bulgaria is 48.12% lower than in the United Kingdom. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Required fields are marked *. Of course, they both have a lot to offer and theres no coincidence that theyre both on our list of top places for expats in Bulgaria. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. The majority of expats moving to Bulgaria consider living in Sofia first. Bulgaria is a very safe country. Winters can be below -15. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. To retire in Bulgaria, you'll need to apply for a Type D visa and a long-term residence permit, renewable every year. However, buying property can be hugely complex, red tape means a small admin task can take all day and both general customer service and government staffs attitudes get a good bashing. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. Im struck with homesickness a lot of the time, even though I know that home is a deeply broken place, and Im terrified of whats happening in America on a public health, political, and moral level. Its just nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your eyes. The cost of living in Bulgaria is $739, which is 1.32 times less expensive than the world average. Regards, Hi Mark, you can find detailed information on various locations in Bulgaria in our location guides here: https://expatra.com/guides/bulgaria/. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Housing in Bulgaria. 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. You must put a minimum amount into the account for it to be opened, which differs depending on the area. Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. Living in the city, you can still feel the magnificent presence of the glorious fortress. 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. Hot summers and cold winters. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. You can comfortably walk around the towns streets at 3 AM knowing that youre completely safe. Bulgaria has been chosen by a number of expatswho wanted to get home or Internet-based businesses off the ground for the specific reason that their tax burden would be low. . Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, they still have their own currency, Leva. Whats more, those who took their time exploring the nation before committing to one city, town or village based on only limited research have settled in more effectively. 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. 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. In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. Renting will allow you to get familiar with the area and make sure it works for you all year round. We started Robe Trotting to share our experiences. Naturally enough a low cost of living is a massive draw. To be considered financially independent, your monthly income should at least be equal to the national minimum wage per month. Sofia - a capital full of wonders 2. Ive made quite a few adjustments compared to living in New York my apartment is way bigger and nicer, and I dine out a lot more. It has also steadily been climbing in the last 5 years. the fertility rate in Bulgaria is 1.43child per woman. Long-term rent for 6-12 months is cheaper than if you're renting short-term. Some of them would effortlessly win modeling competitions. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure, doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. 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. Spring and autumn days are purely magnificent, especially if you visit the Sea Garden for a morning or evening walk. Haskovo is another small Bulgarian town, where expats can dive into a relaxed way of living where stress and a dynamic lifestyle wont thrive. But, note that you may need to give a deposit. Dont be fooled by the common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it. From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life in Bulgaria. I was curious about Bulgaria from an American perspective and I appreciate how thoughtful you are. You can also get a beer for 2 leva about a Euro. Thank you so much for this article, I was thinking of retiring to Portugal but now, I have changed my mind and am planning a trip to Bulgaria next year in 2022. Population. 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. You can ship your belongings to Bulgaria by sea, air or land; its close enough to drive your stuff over and pets yourself too. While Sofias main sights can be seen pretty much within the time it takes to do the citys free walking tour, theres a lot more to Sofia beneath the surface that people dont often get to see when they do a whistle-stop tour through the Balkans, spending just one or two days in Sofia. Its the perfect place to explore what nature has to offer and connect with our planet. Summary of cost of living in Bulgaria. When it comes to the cost of living, the average monthly budget of a family of four ranges between 2,500 lv (1,091/$1,511) and 3,000 lv (1,309/$1,813) without rent. The city is full of life and has a lot to offer for students, working professionals, and retirees alike. 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. We get so many emails about this subject and it has taken a lot of research to get to the bottom of this question. A huge caveat is that there is no social security agreement between the UK and Bulgaria, so your UK state pension will be frozen at its current rate upon first payment, with no increases linked to inflation. 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. The city centre is small enough that no car is required if you live downtown: taxis are cheap and there are plenty of trams. Plovdiv is considered Bulgarias cultural capital and carried the award for European Capital of Culture for 2019. Some links may be affiliate links. The locals are friendly and speak good English, making it easy for expats to get around. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. She runs her own digital content consultancy, Locke Digital. 15- Bulgaria has some fastest internet speed in the world, you get great value for money. To keep informed, check ourLiving In Europe After Brexit guide on a regular basis. Regardless of age, you cant really say youve been to Varna if you havent visited Cubo the most popular beach bar in the city. In addition, most central areas are now part of the Blue Zone, meaning that parking is not free. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. 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. The country is one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a modern, digitized approach to living. If you have not worked in Bulgaria, you should claim your UK State Pension by contacting theInternational Pension Centre. I've just spent six weeks in Bulgaria, it's about as East as Eastern Europe gets. Bansko may be popular for its natural riches but an interesting fact is that it also offers some of the fastest Internet! 2-Bulgarias population is reducing fast. Punishment includes imprisonment from 1 to 4 years, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 leva . 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