With a monthly budget of 800 1000 lv (349/$483-436/$604) without rent for a single person, you will enjoy a comfortable living. 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. Its safe to say that a single person can live comfortably in Sofia with 1,000 lv (437/$605), rent excluded. 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. 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). There are also a number of amazing places to visit near Veliko Tarnovo, like Arbanassi, Elena, and Gabrovo. Nice articlethanks. Naturally enough a low cost of living is a massive draw. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. But there are also smaller towns that can give you that feeling of the perfect home you are looking for abroad. Yet in the city center, theres a literal yellow brick road, fairytale-like cathedrals and churches, and beautiful architecture that wouldnt be out of place in Moscow. Dealing with those could literally shorten your life span! For a single person, a good monthly budget would be 750 lv (327/$453). From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life in Bulgaria. I live on the western side of Sofia, halfway between Lyulin (the largest communist block area) and the center. A man casually shoots a homeless guy in broad daylight as others watch and do nothing. A hate crime is a criminal offence in Bulgaria, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime. Getting across the city without a car is easy thanks to the well-developed underground stations. If you relocate to Bulgaria with the prospect of finding employment there you may find it very difficult to land yourself a job that will allow you to benefit from Bulgarias low cost of living. Its comfortably positioned in the eastern part of the Danube plain, in whats considered one of Bulgarias most fertile lands Dobrudja. 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. New pieces of beautiful street art adorn the walls unexpectedly, discovered on your daily walks. Life is Not Like the Movies Everyone thinks of California as a hippie paradise with no stress and a serene culture. Its positioned on a high hill over the Yantra River and is home to an old town and a modern city centre. Just because Bansko is a popular ski destination doesnt mean that youll freeze living there. Contrast Bulgaria with somewhere like southern Spain or Cyprus for example, and youll know what we mean! Rent in Bulgaria on averageis 74.06% lower than in the UK. We promise not spam your inbox The country's territory is approximately 42,855 square miles, making it the 16th largest country in Europe. Bulgaria is a nation that has retained its national identity, history, culture and tradition it has certainly not sold out to the west. The Old Town is home to charming houses in the traditional old-style Bulgarian architecture. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Many of the expat city-dwellers are workers, and the city boasts a thriving start-up scene. Bansko one of Bulgarias top ski destinations, How To Access Best Quality Affordable Healthcare When You Move Abroad, Visit our homepage for a comprehensive range of. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. Especially during summer, Varna is a top destination, even for Bulgarians. They struggle to make the ends meet on their pensions in Britain so they choose to move to a more favourable environment in terms of cost. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. 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 other reason for the decisions these people have made is the cost of living in Bulgaria. You will need to present proof of your income or pension and that you have a bank account in Bulgaria. 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. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. Youll find plenty of horse-and-cart villages alongside the potholes in what is the EUs poorest member state. 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. 11. The mountains are stunning and the ski resorts are so breathtaking nothing to envy to any other country in the world. 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. 6. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. Your email address will not be published. I work entirely for myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia. Its also worth noting that there is an evident segmentation of elite and non-elite schools in the state-run school system, which can create certain communication problems with peers from other schools. Get to grips, too, with some Bulgarian etiquette: dont point your index finger, dont ever slap someone on the back, and remember that you nod no and shake your head for yes. Even if getting to live here was not an easy task! Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. 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. I know a lot of this is due to my lack of learning the language, but I also know in my gut that Sofia is a temporary stopover when it comes to my life, and Bulgarian wont be useful to me when I leave the city in a year or two. 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. 4-Bulgaria is a very beautiful country. 8 Best reasons to retire to Bulgaria! In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. 13- Most young educated Bulgarians generally speak English and are so helpful and a pleasure to be around. If youre moving to Bulgaria, currently living in Sofia or just curious about living abroad, leave you questions for Allison below in the comments. Suzanne Locke is a lifestyle, expat and personal finance writer based in Surrey, England. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. 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. Regards, Hi Mark, you can find detailed information on various locations in Bulgaria in our location guides here: https://expatra.com/guides/bulgaria/. Its just nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your eyes. As a result, the expat community in the Bulgarian capital is well-developed and you can always find help and advice or make friends. 15- Bulgaria has some fastest internet speed in the world, you get great value for money. 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. Were Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Europe who love to travel the world. Just like Varna, Burgas has its own Sea Garden. 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 . Plovdiv - the new go-to for digital nomads and expats 3. Bulgarias cost of living is low only for those who earn above the average in the country. To retire in Bulgaria, you'll need to apply for a Type D visa and a long-term residence permit, renewable every year. Being aware of them before you relocate can make a huge difference to your overall experience. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. 1. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure, doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. That is one of the biggest reasons not to move to California." 4. For anyone looking to reduce the amount of tax they pay on their income or business profits, therefore, Bulgaria is definitely attractive! Theres a great etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site. 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. You need to contrast the cost of living with what you can expect to earn in Bulgaria. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. Over-sold as a location after its entry into the European Union in 2008, a real estate bubble quickly formed and burst in Bulgaria, which has left some out of pocket, particularly if they invested in big new tourist developments on the coast or in the ski resorts. 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. 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. As the country is becoming more popular with expats, they discover other locations as well. Sofia - a capital full of wonders 2. After 5 years, you have the right to apply for a permanent residence permit. 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. To the west of Sofia is the spa town of Bankya, about 20-30 minutes away. Its best to avoid regions like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and Sveta Nedelya Square. 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. Renting a property in Plovdiv is more affordable when compared to Sofia. Haskovo one of Bulgarias oldest yet most pleasant places to live in, 9. 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. Long-term rent for 6-12 months is cheaper than if you're renting short-term. Read about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Bulgaria before you move there. I stumbled across this whilst idly surfing, Im not considering leaving Blighty. You may need to provide a clean UK criminal record certificate. Thankyou Suzanne Locke! Even then, you may be asked for proof of income being paid into the bank for up to six months. A. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. 0. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. When you have held a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for 5 years, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship (in Bulgarian). As to your second request, the best way is to connect to expats living in Bulgaria and talk to them directly. Bulgarian rules require immigrants to demonstrate they can support themselves financially, although the Bulgarian prime minister has publicly welcomed British migrants. It's not easy, but if you love Bulgaria, moving here and being active is the best thing you can do. Renting will allow you to get familiar with the area and make sure it works for you all year round. It's one of the most pedestrianised cities in Bulgaria. Bansko is a great destination for expats looking to enjoy a bit of hiking, skiing, cycling, and nature in general. 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. 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. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. 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. There are two lakes surrounding Dobrich, offering a delightful opportunity to spend evenings outside. Shes obsessed with doting on her 8-year-old Bulgarian rescue dog, Rocky, and planning her next trip. To be considered financially independent, your monthly income should at least be equal to the national minimum wage per month. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask the neighbours. Bulgarian hotel and restaurant prices are apparently below half the average for the EU. Emilie, thank you for you Intro. Flat tax rates 2. We started Robe Trotting to share our experiences. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. 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. and that you can unsubscribe any time. 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. One of the factors behind the outsourcing success. Romania has the fastest internet anywhere on the continent. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks for this post! 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. Bulgaria (especially Sofia) has become incredibly interesting to me recently. Friendly locals Some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria 1. You can ship your belongings to Bulgaria by sea, air or land; its close enough to drive your stuff over and pets yourself too. 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) . Other ski resorts include Pamporovo and Borovets. The language barrier dealing with anything bureaucratic or institutional is frustrating, and the infrastructure is a little dated and needs a lot of love. Its located near the geographic centre of the country and is the midpoint between Varna and Sofia. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. 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. Bulgaria has aNet loss of one person every 11 minutes. 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. Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. There are also a number of bus lines you can take to get to most regions. 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. 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