The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Bulgaria

One of the oldest and most fascinating countries in Europe, Bulgaria boasts rich cultural and historical heritage and stunning natural beauty. It is a small country, but it has a lot to offer – ancient relics, natural wonders, architectural masterpieces, modern cities, luxury resorts, peaceful countryside, outstanding cuisine… There is something for everyone in the land of the roses (as Bulgaria is widely known) and more and more people from all over the world see the opportunities that the small Balkan country presents and choose to move there.

If you too are thinking about moving to Bulgaria, you have probably heard that it is a great place to live. Before you decide to actually pack up and move to the beautiful country in the heart of the Balkans, though, you need to find out as much as possible about your potential new homeland.

While the history, culture, and nature of Bulgaria are certainly quite a big draw, you need to be aware of all aspects of life in the Balkan country in order to be able to make an informed decision about moving there.

Here are some facts and details about Bulgaria to help you get to know the country and its people a bit better and decide if it’s the right place for you.

Pros and cons of moving to Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a unique and fascinating place – some people consider it to be a paradise on Earth, while others find it disillusioning and dysfunctional.

Depending on what kind of lifestyle you prefer, what you like and dislike, what you’re interested in, and what is important to you, you may fall in love with the land of the roses – or you may be quite dissatisfied with the country.  

It is, therefore, essential to know both the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria before you commit to relocating there:

Advantages of moving to Bulgaria

From the wonderful nature and amazing culture to the friendly people and low cost of living in the country, there are many good reasons to move to Bulgaria:

1) Splendid nature

Located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria has a glorious coastline along the Black Sea and a gorgeous countryside made up of majestic mountains, rolling hills, vast plains, deep valleys, lush forests, magnificent rivers, and crystal clear lakes.

Miles of dazzling beaches along the Black Sea coast and several snowcapped mountain ranges enable Bulgaria to have some of the finest seaside resorts and ski resorts in Europe. There are fascinating rock formations (the Belogradchik Rocks, the Melnik Pyramids, the Stone Forest, etc.), deep caves, stunning waterfalls, marvelous hot springs, and many other natural wonders in the county, making it a nature lover’s paradise. And the wildlife is amazing too – from birds of prey, pelicans, and storks to bears, wolves, red foxes, and deer, Bulgaria is home to thousands of animal species.

Whether you enjoy swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing, animal spotting, or hiking, the diverse landscape and abundant wildlife in the country will certainly satisfy your passions. You can pursue all kinds of outdoor activities in the land of roses – and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.

2) Rich culture

Founded in 681 AD, Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe – and it has retained its national identity and preserved its culture over the centuries.

The small country is tightly packed with history – the city of Plovdiv is the oldest inhabited city in Europe; the oldest processed gold in the world was discovered in the Varna necropolis; Thracian tombs, temples, and settlements are found all over the country; Roman fortresses stand guard over ancients roads, ports, and cities; rock-hewn churches and monasteries bear testimony to the country’s centuries-old Christian legacy; etc.

There are numerous historical landmarks and world heritage sites in Bulgaria (the Madara Rider, the ancient town of Nessebar, the Rila Monastery, the Boyana Church, and the Tsarevets Fortress to name but a few), but it is not just monuments and artifacts that make the country so interesting.

Bulgaria has rich culture and unique traditions which make daily life exciting, gratifying, and enjoyable – from Kukeri festivals and Nestinari dances to rock concerts and open-air opera productions, there is an abundance of cultural experiences to discover and enjoy. 

3) Low cost of living

The cost of living in Bulgaria is quite low and that is a big draw for expats.

Housing is the biggest living expense and the cost of utilities is steadily rising, but groceries, transportation, clothing, and other everyday necessities are easily affordable. Eating out is becoming increasingly more expensive, but it’s still cheap compared to restaurant prices in other European countries.

Keep in mind though that salaries in Bulgaria are also quite low, so you need to earn well above the average wages in the country or to have large savings in order to live comfortably.

Moving to Bulgaria is, therefore, most beneficial for retirees and people with income from outside of the country, as they will not be dependent on the local economy to provide them with a living. (U.S. retirees will definitely find that their pension income goes far further in Bulgaria than in America.)

4) Safety

Bulgaria is a very safe place to live – there have been no wars, armed conflicts, ethnic tensions, or terrorist attacks in the country for several decades, and acts of anti-social behavior are extremely rare. There is great tolerance and respect for society which grants a safe and peaceful living environment.

Crime rates are very low too – acts of violence are quite out of the ordinary and even burglary is front page news. It depends on the area, of course (big cities have their share of crime problems), but in most places, it is safe to walk the streets at night or let kids play outside unsupervised. 

5) Friendly people

Slavs are generally known as easy-going and friendly people, but Bulgarian cordiality and hospitality is truly legendary – people are very welcoming, extremely emphatic, and always ready to help.

Expats are warmly received and encouraged to get involved in the community – Bulgarians are very kind to foreigners and eager to introduce them to their way of life. Everyone takes the time to chat, show newcomers around, and give them useful advice. Small gifts (fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade wine and cookies, etc.) are very common and help is readily offered.

What’s more, the pace of life in Bulgaria is very relaxed – there is a great work/life balance, the community spirit is very strong, sharing time with friends and family is extremely important, people are open and outgoing, and celebrations are frequent and fun. It’s really easy to integrate and make new friends.

American expats are likely to find the gentle pace of life in the country, the friendliness of locals, and their willingness to help in any way they can one of the biggest benefits of living in Bulgaria.

6) Great cuisine

The Mediterranean cuisine is widely known for its fresh, healthy ingredients and amazing flavors – and Bulgarian cuisine makes no exception. Food in Bulgaria is almost always locally grown, most of the fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products are from village farms, and everything is fresh, organic, and delicious.

The country is best known for its healthy yogurt, but all Bulgarian foods are wholesome, nutritious, and tasty. Traditional Bulgarian dishes include banitsa (pastry filled with cheese), tarator (cold soup made from yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic), and shopska salad (vegetable salad topped with cheese), but the local cuisine features a number of dishes found in the Greek, Turkish, and Serbian cuisine (such as sarmi, moussaka, gyuvech, etc.) as well, as Bulgaria has a lot of shared history with these countries.

Bulgarian wine deserves a special mention – the Balkan country has superb wines that can rival the best in the world. There are international award-winning vineyards in every region of the country, but many people still make their own wine – and the quality is astonishing.

The list of advantages of living in Bulgaria can go on for quite a while – the weather is great, the education system is very good, the location of the country is extremely convenient for international travel, etc. What matters the most, however, is the outstanding quality of life in the Balkan country – the peace and tranquility, the healthy living environment, the affordable prices, the amazing culture, and the friendly people make Bulgaria a truly wonderful place to live.

Downsides of living in Bulgaria

However wonderful the land of roses may be, it’s not without its challenges:

1) Language barrier

English is widely spoken among the younger generation, but in order to integrate and feel at home in Bulgaria, expats need to learn some Bulgarian – and the Bulgarian language is quite difficult, made even more difficult by the fact that it uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

2) Cumbersome bureaucracy

Dealing with institutions in Bulgaria can be quite frustrating – everything involves paperwork (a lot of paperwork), the paperwork is very complicated (and officials usually only speak Bulgarian), and the processing takes a long time (and expats often need to zigzag between departments to get everything in order).

3) Poor economy

The Bulgarian economy has been in crisis for decades – income levels are low, businesses are struggling, inflation is high, unemployment is high, and many people live in poverty.

Expats who don’t have an income from outside of the country and intend to look for employment in Bulgaria will need to land a job that pays more than the average salary for the country in order to live comfortably – and finding such a job may be quite difficult.

4) Awful driving conditions

Driving in Bulgaria is difficult and dangerous – most of the roads are in very bad condition, road signs are often missing, traffic laws are commonly ignored, and accidents occur frequently. Drink driving is a big problem in the country and speed limits are exceeded on a regular basis – and it is still possible to see horse-drawn carts on motorways or turkeys, cows, and other domestic animals herded down the lane.

Despite all the driving challenges in the country, however, it is difficult to do without a car, even in the big cities – public transportation is limited and unreliable, taxis are quite expensive, and bicycle lines are nearly non-existent. Having a car is absolutely essential for expats living in rural areas.

5) Poor healthcare

There is a shortage of good medical professionals in the country and most medical facilities are outdated, poorly equipped, and poorly maintained.

There are other negative aspects to living in Bulgaria, too – corruption is prevalent in the country, people are smoking everywhere, there are plenty of bugs and snakes, etc. Life in the land of roses is not for everyone and you may regret moving to Bulgaria if you go there with unrealistic expectations.

What to know before moving to Bulgaria

If you decide that the pros of moving to Bulgaria outweigh the cons, you will probably be eager to make the move and start your new life in the fascinating Balkan country. Before you begin planning your relocation, though, you need to take some time to get to know your potential new homeland.

Here are some of the most essential things to know before moving to Bulgaria:

People

Bulgarians are descended from Slavs, Thracians, and Bulgars and are part of the Slavic ethnolinguistic group. The population is fairly homogeneous, with four-fifths of the people identifying themselves as ethnic Bulgarians. Turkish people make up the largest minority group in the country and the Roma constitute quite a sizable community, too. The main religions are Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Sunni Islam.

The population of Bulgaria is about seven million people. More than a million live in the capital city of Sofia – the largest city in the country. Other major cities include Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and Ruse.

Climate

Most of Bulgaria is in the continental climate zone, with small areas in the south falling within the Mediterranean climatic zone. The continental influence results in abundant snowfall during the winter, while the Mediterranean influence produces hot and dry weather during the summer.

The average temperatures in the country are about 71˚F in the summertime and about 40˚F in the winter months. The average annual rainfall is 686 mm.

The north of Bulgaria is one degree cooler and receives about 7 inches more rain than the southern areas of the country.

Employment opportunities

Even though the unemployment rate in Bulgaria is quite high, there are still plenty of opportunities for expats to find employment in the country – especially for those who have skills that are in demand in Bulgaria. Because of the low salaries in the country, skilled Bulgarians tend to go abroad to seek higher wages, creating a shortage of professionals in their homeland. Therefore, expats who have the right qualification can easily find a good job – the IT, engineering, and medical fields are in particularly high demand, and English teachers are greatly sought after. English-speaking jobs can easily be found in tourism, too.

American expats speaking a second language in addition to English (especially one of the less well represented European languages) have a good chance of getting a well-paying job, providing customer or technical support.

Keep in mind though that landing a good job in Bulgaria will be difficult if you don’t speak at least some Bulgarian.

Good to know: Bulgaria has flat tax rates – 10% income tax and 13% social security contributions (pension, health, unemployment, etc.), deducted at source. Therefore, the country is very attractive for anyone looking to reduce the amount of tax they pay on their income or business profits – many expats have chosen to move to Bulgaria for the specific reason that their tax burden would be low.

Real estate market

Expats planning to buy or rent a property in Bulgaria will find prices very reasonable – apartments and small houses typically cost between $40,000 and $100,000 (depending on the size and location), while rental costs for a 2-bedroom apartment in a city center range between $250 and $500per month.

Property prices in Bulgaria, however, have been steadily increasing in recent years.

Bulgarian law allows foreign nationals to buy property in the country with certain limitations:

• EU citizens can buy both the property and the land it sits upon;
• Non-EU residents can buy property but not land. Land, however, can be bought by registering with a Bulgarian company. This means that U.S. expats moving to Bulgaria can buy apartments in their own names, but to buy a house with a garden or a plot of land, they need to set up a company in Bulgaria.

The best way for expats to find a property in Bulgaria to buy or to rent is to look on the Internet, as there are numerous websites with a huge variety of properties (realistimo.com is known to be one of the most reputable and user-friendly realtor sites in the country). It is then recommended to contact the estate agents who are responsible for the listings as they can advise the buyer (or renter) on all issues related to buying (or renting) a property in Bulgaria.

The home buying process is quick and easy – there are a number of documents to be prepared, of course, and a translator needs to be present when a foreigner has official dealings, but things usually go quite smoothly and without any hassle. Expats can expect to pay 5% to 10% of the selling price in buying costs, depending on the region they’re buying in and the specific services provided by the estate agent.

Education

When moving to Bulgaria with children, expats need to consider that although the quality of public education in the Balkan country is quite good, the language of instruction is Bulgarian. Expat children can be taught in a language of their choice in one of the several international schools in the country that offer a multi-cultural environment, advanced teaching methods, and a range of extracurricular activities and events for students to attend. These schools, however, are only an option for expats living in or near one of the larger cities and fees are quite high.

Bulgarian public schools, on the other hand, are completely free to attend and give expat children the chance to learn Bulgarian well, meet Bulgarian peers, and immerse in the rich Bulgarian culture.

State education in Bulgaria is well developed and has historically been among the best in the world, but state-run schools are underfunded and often operate with outdated equipment and old material bases.

Once you’ve decided that moving to Bulgaria is the right step for you and gathered all the necessary information about the Balkan country, it’s time to start planning your actual relocation.

How to move to Bulgaria

Planning an international move is not an easy task – especially if you’re moving to Bulgaria from US, Canada, or any other non-European country. There are many things to consider and many preparations to make:

1) Take care of the paperwork

First things first – before you can start organizing your move, you need to make sure that all the required paperwork is in order:

Visas

In order to live in Bulgaria, you’re going to need a visa. There are five main types of visas you can apply for when moving to Bulgaria from outside of Europe:

• Work visa – issued to foreignerswho have secured employment in Bulgaria;
• Business visa – issued to foreigners who start a business in the country that hires at least ten Bulgarians;
• Student visa – issued to foreign students enrolled in a Bulgarian university;
• Retirement visa – issued to retired foreign nationals who have enough funds to support themselves in the country;
• Family member visa – issued to spouses, children, and direct family members of Bulgarian citizens and residents.

You can apply for a visa at your local embassy or consulate – you’re going to need a passport valid for the entirety of your stay in Bulgaria, a bank statement that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (equal to at least 6 minimum monthly Bulgarian salaries), proof of health insurance, and proof of accommodation. Keep in mind that a personal interview is required in order to obtain a long-stay visa.

You can find more information on Bulgaria visa options and requirements here.

Work permits

In order to get a Bulgarian work permit, you need to have an employment contract with an employer based in Bulgaria. The permit must be requested by your employer.

Bulgarian work permits are valid for one year.

Driving permits

Drivers from EU countries can use their national licenses, but expats from non-EU countries can only drive with their local licenses for up to a year. Therefore, Americans moving to Bulgaria are going to need an international driving permit.

Health insurance

You need to get health insurance (international health insurance or private medical insurance from a Bulgarian insurance company) in order to move to Bulgaria. If you work in the country, you will have to pay national health insurance contributions (state health insurance is mandatory for employed expats) and will have medical coverage (so you will qualify for free or reduced treatment).

2) Plan your finances

When planning to move abroad, you need to make sure that you have enough money to cover your relocation expenses (shipping costs, customs duty charges and taxes, travel costs, etc.) and your living expenses for the first several months in your new country.

When moving from US to Bulgaria, you can ship your belongings via air freight (faster, but more expensive) or via sea freight (cheaper, but much slower). Depending on the size of your shipment and the transportation method you choose, the cost of shipping your belongings to Bulgaria can easily go up to over $10,000.

So, how much does it cost to move to Bulgaria?

• Moving a 2-bedroom home from a city on the East Coast to Bulgaria (for example, from New York to Plovdiv) is likely to cost about $4,000-$6,000 and to take about a month (sea freight, not including insurance costs and custom duties);
• Moving a 2-bedroom home from a city on the West Coast to Bulgaria (for example, from San Francisco to Sofia) can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 and is likely to take 6-8 weeks (sea freight, not including insurance costs and custom fees).

When calculating your moving expenses, you need to figure in the costs of any extra moving services you may require (packing and unpacking, storage, door-to-door delivery, etc.), custom charges, and insurance costs, as well as visa fees and travel costs.

Keep in mind that in order to feel financially comfortable with your move to Bulgaria, in addition to having enough money to cover your relocation costs, you need to have savings equal to at least 6 minimum monthly Bulgarian salaries (the minimum monthly salary in the country is $375 as of January 2022).

Good to remember: If you’re moving to Bulgaria after retirement, you need to make the necessary arrangements to be able to receive your pension in your new country.

3) Decide what to bring to your new country and how to ship your belongings

Shipping household goods overseas is very risky and very costly, so be sure to pare down your possessions before moving to Bulgaria and bring along only what you really need and love (documents, clothes and shoes, essential electronics, sentimental items, etc.)

Keep in mind that moving furniture and kitchen items overseas is rarely worth it.

Must-read: How to pack for an international move

When it comes to moving personal belongings to Bulgaria, it’s advisable to ship your most important and most essential items by air (as they will arrive within days) and to use sea freight for everything else.

Bonus tip: If you have pets and intend to take them to Bulgaria with you, you need to prepare all the necessary papers (an international pet health certificate, a pet passport, etc.) and make sure that your animal friends have all the necessary immunizations (pets must be vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination must be made at least 30 days before your move). Your animal friends must be at least 105 days old and must be microchipped in order to be allowed in Bulgaria. You need to check airline pet policies to find out what you need to do to be able to fly with your pet to Bulgaria. (See also: Moving pets overseas)

4) Find a good international moving company

Unless you’re moving only personal items you can take on the plane with you, you need to use professional international moving services in order to ensure a safe and smooth relocation to Bulgaria.

The pros will not only have the expert skill, rich experience, and specialized equipment to take proper care of your belongings and deliver them to your new Bulgarian home safe and intact, but will also be familiar with the international freight laws and the specific relocation-related rules and regulations in Bulgaria, so they will be able to assist you at every step of the complicated international relocation process and ensure your successful moving experience. Many top-rated international movers even offer housing assistance and immigration services and will help you find suitable accommodation in Bulgaria, as well as good medical and educational facilities.

To find the right international movers for you, you’re advised to check international moving company reviews and ratings, get international moving quotes from several reputable companies, request in-home binding estimates to learn the actual cost of your move to Bulgaria, and carefully research the overseas movers that seem to best suit your needs and requirements to make sure you’re working with licensed, experienced, and trustworthy professionals.

Must-read: How to find an international moving company

If you want to ship your vehicle to Bulgaria, you will need to find a good international car shipping company as well. (See also: How to ship a car from USA to Europe)

5) Book your flight to Bulgaria and arrange temporary accommodation

Moving to Bulgaria is likely to be the biggest adventure of your lifetime – and if you go with an open mind, make an effort to learn a little of the language, and are willing to embrace the culture of this amazing country, it may also turn out to be the best decision of your life. Happy new life in the land of roses!