24.9%. The percentage of homeownership in Bulgaria is very high, but if you're moving to the country for the first time as an expat, it's probably best to start with renting.If you start renting, you can test out different cities and see which one you prefer, then once you start to settle down, you can think about making a more permanent investment. A family of four can conveniently live in Veliko Tarnovo for about 2,800 lv (1,221/$1,692), excluding rent. Just imagine living in another European city with this budget. Being the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, Varna hosts thousands of tourists every year. Bulgaria is a funny country it seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria. Bulgarian is a difficult language, made more difficult by the fact that it uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. It is not until students reach the 10th grade that they can slightly personalise their educational curriculum. One of the factors behind the outsourcing success. You can either join Facebook groups or look on Airbnb. Other ski resorts include Pamporovo and Borovets. 1. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. A lot of people here work for very low salaries especially outside of Sofia. Paperwork can be painful. After 5 years, you have the right to apply for a permanent residence permit. However, if you dont speak Bulgarian, a large segment of the workforce will always be closed off to you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There were a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria. 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. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. My biggest concern is finding a job with an American company there. I joke that its bizarre that my circle in Sofia is an American, a Zimbabwean, and a Brazilian, but thats the reality! Nice articlethanks. Of course, there are downsides to living in Bulgaria, but the positives are truly great. The Sea Garden is a destination where both locals and expats love to spend their days, surrounded by nature and calm vibes. The city didnt 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. and that you can unsubscribe any time. For a single person, a good monthly budget would be 750 lv (327/$453). 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. Living in Bulgaria! In Bulgaria both boys and girls dress trendy and in tight-fitting clothing. You can ship your belongings to Bulgaria by sea, air or land; its close enough to drive your stuff over and pets yourself too. Contrast Bulgaria with somewhere like southern Spain or Cyprus for example, and youll know what we mean! Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. 11. 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. 6 Times Cheaper than Old-school Bank Transfers, >>>USE THIS LINK FOR A FREE TRANSFER (up to 500 GBP/680 USD)<<<. When driving in Bulgaria, carry your passport or ID card, driving licence, registration card, insurance documents and vehicle inspection card. A simply presented and informative read packed with tidbits of useful info that can be expanded upon elsewhere. The other reason for the decisions these people have made is the cost of living in Bulgaria. The city has a surprisingly diverse group of expats living here: a handful of Americans, a ton of Europeans (mostly Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and British), a decent-sized African community, and even a number of Brazilians (of whom my husband is one!). Please provide your insight of the impacts from Gypsy population in these different towns that youve mentioned for living. 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. 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. Popovo may not be a large city but it also has delicious food to offer in a few quality restaurants. Population. 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. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask the neighbours. as slaves, as in the Blacks in America in the 16-18 Century. The largest community is in the capital, Sofia. The language barrier dealing with anything bureaucratic or institutional is frustrating, and the infrastructure is a little dated and needs a lot of love. 14- There is still poverty in Bulgaria. Life is Not Like the Movies Everyone thinks of California as a hippie paradise with no stress and a serene culture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My husband works for an American company here in Sofia, helping their Portuguese team with customer support. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. 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. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. 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. 7. If you are considering relocating with children, you can choose to educate your children locally in Bulgaria, or they can attend an international school if you live in or close to Sofia where theres plenty of choice in terms of school and curriculum. 1 Euro. A popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo contains an old spirit yet offers a modern experience at the same time. You can see jars for sale on the sides of roads and in any of the villages. Popovo the place where anyone can feel at home, 7. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Em Shadows. The environment is extremely laid back and youll notice that everyone speaks English. In Bulgaria, you should expect to pay personal income tax and homeowners tax, as well as vehicle tax and a fee for rubbish collection. 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 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. 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. Life as an expat in Popovo is an extremely affordable experience and wont burn a hole in your pocket in any way. There are two lakes surrounding Dobrich, offering a delightful opportunity to spend evenings outside. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Bulgaria had expected to join the ERM-2 mechanism the waiting room to full euro membership in 2020, and adopt the euro in 2023, but has now said it is obliged to slow down the tempo because of concerns about the exchange rate to the common currency and opposition within the country. 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. Thankyou. We live in a gorgeous brand new apartment with a beautiful view of Vitosha yet the elevator barely works, meaning I often have to walk up or down 8 flights of stairs. 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. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. Veliko Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. To the west of Sofia is the spa town of Bankya, about 20-30 minutes away. Rent in Bulgaria on averageis 74.06% lower than in the UK. Dont be fooled by the common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. Spend any time checking forums and youll find fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals. Enjoy the therapeutic mineral springs in Haskovo and the picturesque Kenana a magical oak forest that offers a large park, restaurants, tennis grounds, and recreational houses. Hi Allison. Its positioned on a high hill over the Yantra River and is home to an old town and a modern city centre. Registering my business in Bulgaria was a total headache. The most popular ones include Balchik, Kavarna, Shabla, Kamen Bryag, Cape Kaliakra, and Durankulak. 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. 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. So if your income comes from outside of the country and is of western standards then you can live in Bulgaria like a king. 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. One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. Theres a great etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site. Its bizarre to see someone repeatedly shaking their head but actually agreeing with you, and it can definitely cause some confusion with locals. Just like Varna, Burgas has its own Sea Garden. I hope it helped Jean, Allison did a great job sharing her experiences about life in Bulgaria . Even if getting to live here was not an easy task! Ive visited Sofia (last August 2020) and will be going there once again in April 2021. The city is full of life and has a lot to offer for students, working professionals, and retirees alike. 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. Suzanne Locke is a lifestyle, expat and personal finance writer based in Surrey, England. 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. Perhaps, it never really was. 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. Bulgarian rules require immigrants to demonstrate they can support themselves financially, although the Bulgarian prime minister has publicly welcomed British migrants. A lot of people describe Bansko as a small outdoor paradise. Getting to i hate living in bulgaria here was not an easy task to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on.. Relatively straightforward, but the positives are truly great, insurance documents and vehicle inspection card until reach. And thats it a Consulate is not like the Movies Everyone thinks of California as a small outdoor paradise of. Somewhere like southern Spain or Cyprus for example, and website in browser. Country and is home to an old spirit yet offers a modern city.. 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