Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Shes obsessed with doting on her 8-year-old Bulgarian rescue dog, Rocky, and planning her next trip. You may need to provide a clean UK criminal record certificate. I am sure my comment will be censored as soon as its posted but at least I am giving a balanced view now that you have the full picture . They can rob and mug you blind and the police will let them off regardless. DSK Expressbank and Postbank were both recommended as Bulgarian banks for foreigners. There are certainly those expats who have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria. 6 Times Cheaper than Old-school Bank Transfers, >>>USE THIS LINK FOR A FREE TRANSFER (up to 500 GBP/680 USD)<<<. She likes to travel and goes on weekend trips across the country as often as possible. Living in Sofia is a far cry from San Francisco, but wherever youre from and wherever you end up living you can find a way to make it home. From what I can tell, Im mostly amongst other locals I never hear English spoken in my neck of the woods. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. 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. Living in Bulgaria means living amongst contrasts, and you have to be comfortable with a certain level of grittiness to be here. Life as an expat in Popovo is an extremely affordable experience and wont burn a hole in your pocket in any way. In Bulgaria, you should expect to pay personal income tax and homeowners tax, as well as vehicle tax and a fee for rubbish collection. To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. Its located near natural lakes. 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. Registering my business in Bulgaria was a total headache. You will have to renounce UK citizenship if you apply for Bulgarian citizenship after Brexit. Fruit and vegetables are for sale everywhere and are the most delicious. Thats for a 40 hour week. Friendly locals Some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria 1. A lot of educated Bulgarians work in the IT and outsourcing sector which is huge here. 5- Another thing that makes Bulgaria famous its the nice sandy beaches, and the warm water temperature of the Black Sea in the summer season, the beaches can vary from lively and sports-facilitated beach stripes to calm and beautiful campsites. You need to speak the language 2. The language barrier dealing with anything bureaucratic or institutional is frustrating, and the infrastructure is a little dated and needs a lot of love. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. 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. Complete Guide to Living in Bulgaria. Even then, you may be asked for proof of income being paid into the bank for up to six months. As the country is becoming more popular with expats, they discover other locations as well. 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. If you are moving to Bulgarias capital Sofia, it is important to note that the average salary in the capital is around 2000 leva (876.13 / $1,220.66) for the same period. Your email address will not be published. its Just delicious, and national classic Bulgarian breakfast is coffee and a cigarette, joke, the traditional breakfast is at banitza filled with Bulgarian white cheese. As to your second request, the best way is to connect to expats living in Bulgaria and talk to them directly. Bulgaria is a great place to live if youre not sensitive and particularly good if you have an income from outside of Bulgaria, for example, a pension, or work for a foreigner company, definitely is a nice place to start a family and better place to live than two-thirds of the world. We hope that this guide will come in handy and will help you choose the best place that will meet your expectations. The majority of expats moving to Bulgaria consider living in Sofia first. before your trip. I'll further discuss whether Bulgaria is attractive for expats or not. Late EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham had to learn Bulgarian to star in Bulgarian TV series The English Neighbour in 2010, about a retired British chemist who sets up home in the fictional village of Plodorodno. Find out more about us HERE. 5. If you dont speak the language, the types of jobs you can get will be low paid jobs and you will have to work very hard to scrape a living together. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The average salary after taxes in Bulgaria is $852, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.2 months. There are a few ways to find a long-term apartment rental in Bulgaria. On the other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition, some likening it to 1950s Britain. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. Plovdiv the new go-to for digital nomads and expats, 4. It may take up to 14 days for your application to be approved, after which you may still have to return to the branch to actually open the account. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. You can see jars for sale on the sides of roads and in any of the villages. Bulgaria is close to the UK a three-hour trip by plane and there are cheap flights to be had. Now You Know Everything About Living in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is wonderful only if you dont come into contact with its red-tape bureaucracy and horrid government institutions. Bulgaria (especially Sofia) has become incredibly interesting to me recently. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure, doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. There are trams and buses and a metro system, though, so public transit is good: Im just not taking it now in the times of coronavirus. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. The cost of living in Varna is similar to that of Sofia. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. 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. 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). Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. Next up on the list is Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. Required fields are marked *. Retirees may find that their pension income goes far further in Bulgaria and they could benefit from a move as they will not be dependent on the local economy to provide them with a living. 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. Bulgaria is a very safe country. She lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing. 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. However, if you are employed locally and earn an average salary for the country, you will have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Im planning to move to Bansko in about 3 years. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. A monthly budget of 1,200 lv ($722/530) for a family or two will offer a perfect way of living, rent excluded. When driving in Bulgaria, carry your passport or ID card, driving licence, registration card, insurance documents and vehicle inspection card. Bansko is a great destination for expats looking to enjoy a bit of hiking, skiing, cycling, and nature in general. How to get Bulgarian Registration Plates For Your Car? Moving to a new country is like entering a new world where different rules apply, and it takes a while before you can fully understand them.Not knowing the language and not having any close friends, it may be quite frustrating to handle even simple daily tasks, let alone sort out the basics - how to get a job, a place to live and a residence permit. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. 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. That said, living in Sofia has, overall, been a great gift: its affordable, vibrant, quirky, and charming, there are so many great day trips from Sofia including beautiful mountains and lovely historic cities, and its been a great home to me for the last few years. 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. Many people commute to Sofia from here. In addition, Kapana (The Trap), Plovdivs creative district attracts people of all ages with art and creativity. We were so lucky to visit Plovdiv while there was a cultural festival on. For instance, we were told, in Vratsa you can open a bank account with 450 lev but in Shumen it is 1,000 lev and in Veliko Turnovo around 3,000 lev. 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. Veliko Tarnovo is another Bulgarian city with extreme history and cultural riches. Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. Expats choose to live in Varna for many reasons, however, the main one is the wonderful golden sands of Varnas coastline. Bulgaria Cost of living in Bulgaria Summary of cost of living in Bulgaria Family of four estimated monthly costs: 4,494 Single person estimated monthly costs: 1,841 Bulgaria is the 4th cheapest country in Eastern Europe (9 out of 12) Cost of living in Bulgaria is cheaper than in 78% of countries in the World (62 out of 79) From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life in Bulgaria. Sofia - a capital full of wonders 2. 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. Living in Bulgaria: A Quick Guide for U.S. Expats. Coffees are much cheaper here than in the rest of Europe. 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. 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 . There is no risk of theft or any type of crime in Popovo as the locals pretty much know each other and theres a sense of trust and connection. Recently, the city port has been renovated and improved, with a ton of new restaurants, nightclubs, and bars to visit. Its best to avoid regions like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and Sveta Nedelya Square. Follow us on on Twitter. Be wary of the Gypsy population who have become ever more brazen and emboldened by cozy minorities protection by EU human rights activism. almost every family has their own 1000 sqm. 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). Bulgariais 42.72%lowerthan inthe United States. 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. Allison Green is a travel writer and podcaster based out of Sofia, Bulgaria. So what is it like to live in Bulgaria and how do you go about moving and settling down there? This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. If you are the kind of person who takes a considered approach to relocation, who has spent time getting to know Bulgaria before moving permanently, you have good chances to adjust well to what is an undoubtedly very beautiful country. To retire in Bulgaria, you'll need to apply for a Type D visa and a long-term residence permit, renewable every year. I hope this story helps, good luck with your move! Depending on your lifestyle, you can live as basically or as liberally as you choose here. It's not easy, but if you love Bulgaria, moving here and being active is the best thing you can do. To be considered financially independent, your monthly income should at least be equal to the national minimum wage per month. 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. Being the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, Varna hosts thousands of tourists every year. HOW DO YOU TRANSFER MONEY INTERNATIONALLY? You can comfortably walk around the towns streets at 3 AM knowing that youre completely safe. Being the poorest and maybe the most corrupted EU member country takes some comfort away. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. My husband works for an American company here in Sofia, helping their Portuguese team with customer support. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. So I ended up staying in Sofia for love, and we got married in 2019 after exhausting all the other possibilities to stay together in Sofia, since domestic partnerships are not an option here. 7- Agriculture is probably what defines Bulgarian roots best. Popovo the place where anyone can feel at home, 7. A basic plan from Uniqa for a couple under 70 years old will cost 330 BGN (145) a year. Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. Bulgaria is wonderful! 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. Normally men and women in a family work and a lot of Bulgarians dont have mortgages. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Today, the city is an important centre for transport, culture, and education, with more than 400,000 residents. Authentic culture 5. In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. "I hate living in California because I have to drive everywhere and then look for parking and also pay for it. If youre wondering about where you want to spend your time as an expat retiree, Bulgaria is certainly among the top choices. But there are also smaller towns that can give you that feeling of the perfect home you are looking for abroad. 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. 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. Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. 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. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Most of the jobs here for expats involve speaking a second language in addition to English and providing customer and technical support, though there are of course other options. If you have not worked in Bulgaria, you should claim your UK State Pension by contacting theInternational Pension Centre. Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Getting across the city without a car is easy thanks to the well-developed underground stations. Renting will allow you to get familiar with the area and make sure it works for you all year round. 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. 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