Moving to Bulgaria for permanent residence: pros and cons of immigration and real estate prices
Moving to Bulgaria attracts foreigners because of its affordable cost of living, beautiful nature, rich culture and friendly locals. Find out what are the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria and what are the real estate prices here
Bulgaria is a country that is becoming increasingly popular among foreign tourists, because it is part of the EU, there are favorable living conditions, a good social sphere and opportunities for development. However, moving here for permanent residence has both its advantages and disadvantages.
We will tell you about the features of life in Bulgaria in this article.
Features of living in Bulgaria
- Bulgaria is located in the southern part of Europe.
- The economy of the state is based on the following industries: agriculture, tourism, services, light industry.
- The monetary unit is the Bulgarian lev (denoted by LV or BGN).
- Living conditions depend on the city of residence. For example, the capital, Sofia, is located in the west of the country. An active business life circulates here. There is an opportunity to earn well, but high prices do not allow most emigrants to live here.
The city of Plovdiv is located in the center. Leading educational institutions are located here and many students live there.
Varna is a seaside resort. Locals earn a good living in the summer, but businesses are inactive here in the winter.
Future living conditions will directly depend on where the emigrant will settle and what he will do. It is advisable to buy or rent housing in advance.
Read about the procedure for obtaining a work visa in Bulgaria, as well as the features of employment in this country in this article.
Pros of moving to Bulgaria
Like in any country in the world, life in Bulgaria has its own characteristics. Here are the advantages that the state offers its future citizens:
- Favorable climate and ecology
Bulgaria has clean nature, many resorts and places to relax. In the north of the country there are mountains, where it is cold in winter. In the south there is a Mediterranean climate. The conditions are well suited for a beach holiday.
- Rich cultural heritage
Bulgaria's rich history and cultural heritage offer immigrants a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures.
- Affordable Cost of Living
Expats in Bulgaria can enjoy life in Bulgaria for a much lower price than in many other European countries. Daily expenses, which include housing, food, utilities and transportation, are often lower than in most countries in the region.
- Relatively low price of real estate on the secondary market
- Bulgaria is a member of the European Union
Membership in the EU is a great opportunity for doing business in Europe.
- Affordable Transportation
Bulgaria has a well-developed public transportation system, which includes buses, trains and affordable flights within the country, which allows expats to easily move around the country and beyond.
- Favorable Tax Environment
Bulgaria has a low income tax rate of only 10%.
- Affordable Healthcare
Bulgaria guarantees quality healthcare services to those living in the country, which includes both public and private institutions.
- High level of security
Bulgaria has a low crime rate and is also known for its ease of doing business.
In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.
Cons of moving to Bulgaria
- Language barrier
Although English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities, Bulgarian is the official language of the country. Immigrants may experience difficulties in everyday life, especially if they live in remote areas where English is minimal.
- High unemployment rate
Good salaries are not enough even for the local population. Therefore, many Bulgarians leave for more developed countries.
- Limited job opportunities
Employment opportunities in Bulgaria can be severely limited, especially for immigrants who do not speak Bulgarian fluently. Certain areas, such as tourism and IT, offer more job opportunities.
- Bureaucratic challenges
Cooperation with government agencies and dealing with bureaucratic processes can be difficult and time-consuming.
- Corruption
Corruptive behavior remains a major problem in Bulgaria, affecting many aspects of daily life, including financial transactions and government services.
- Expensive fuel
The price of fuel is constantly increasing, rising to the level of EU countries.
- High utility costs
- Parking problems
There are many cars in the country, and often there is not enough space for them. Therefore, cars are parked close to each other near houses or shops.
- Poor road surface
Unlike other European Union countries, Bulgaria has a problem with roads.
Property prices in Bulgaria
- Cost of renting housing in Bulgaria
Renting a good two-room apartment in a good area of Sofia will cost you about 920 euros, and a 3-room apartment - 1200 euros.
In other cities of Bulgaria, the prices are as follows: Plovdiv – 450-700 euros, Varna – 500-700 euros, Burgas – 460-900 euros, Veliko Tarnovo – 460-800 euros, Blagoevgrad – 350 – 560 euros.
- Prices for buying housing in Bulgaria
Private houses are most often sold in rural areas. Usually far from the sea. Their price ranges from 10 to 40 thousand euros. The cheaper the house, the further it is located from the city and the sea. Many of them require cosmetic or major repairs.
Apartments are not so expensive. The average price of housing is 70 thousand euros. You can find options for 30 or 40 thousand, but they are located far from large cities and the sea. Premium apartments cost from 100 thousand euros and more.
Local realtors offer the sale of land plots for further development. The price of one square meter depends on the location, and ranges from 30 euros in the most remote places to 1200 euros near the capital. After purchasing a land plot, construction should begin in the near future.
Having assessed all the advantages and disadvantages, expats will be able to make an informed decision about moving to Bulgaria.
Let us remind you! Bulgaria is a European country that is a promising destination for expats to move to. We have already told you how a residence permit in the state can be obtained by foreign business owners who open a representative office in the country.
Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld
To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.
Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:
Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Bulgaria;
Legal advice on immigration to Bulgaria;
Travel insurance for foreigners in Bulgaria;
Medical insurance all over the world.
We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.
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