Bulgaria – Visas
Bulgaria holds full EU membership and, since January 2025, full membership of the Schengen Area. Citizens of numerous…
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Your life in Bulgaria starts here
Make your move to Bulgaria
One of Europe's cheapest countries to live in, Bulgaria adds famously light-touch taxation, very affordable property and Black Sea and mountain scenery. A modest income opens the door, with permanent residency in time.
Bulgaria at a glance
Cost of living
Very low
Property
Very affordable
Healthcare
Strong
Safety
Safe
Climate
Cool (~11°C)
English
Moderate
Expat community
Moderate
Where Bulgaria is strongest: cost of living #1 of 77property affordability #13 of 75visa ease #25 of 81
Worth weighing up: size of expat community #60 of 81English-friendliness #54 of 81
TaxWorldwide, flat 10% rate
Visa / residencyLow pension threshold ~933 BGN/mo, 5yr PR
General information to compare destinations, not personal financial, tax or immigration advice.
Health insurance in Bulgaria
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Your first steps to Bulgaria
Bulgaria – Residency
Bulgaria provides foreign nationals with a range of residency options — encompassing temporary permits for employment, education, business…
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Fresh from Bulgaria
Latest articles
Getting Married in Bulgaria: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats
Getting married in Bulgaria can be a beautiful and memorable experience, with its rich cultural traditions and stunning…
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Bulgaria is a country with a vibrant culture, a rich history, and a nice warm welcome for those…
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All those entering Bulgaria should have at least six months’ validity remaining on their passports, counted from the…
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Real people who made the move
Daniel Montiglio, Varna
Who are you? My name is Daniel Montiglio, I’m originally from Chile and I have been living in…
Read more →Caroline May, Vratsa
Who are you? My name is Caroline May. I’m 64 and retired. I used to be a special…
Read more →Martin Stephenson
Who are you? My name is Martin Stephenson and I am an English artist, author and teacher from…
Read more →Daniel Roy, Sofia
Who are you? My name is Daniel Roy. I’m a freelance narrative video game writer from Montreal, Canada.These…
Read more →George St Clare, Balchik
George, it's been a few years since we last caught up with you – where are you living…
Read more →Rebecca Richardson, Sofia
Who are you? Hello, my name is Rebecca Richardson and I’m a sales and marketing professional from the…
Read more →The complete picture
Bulgaria moving guide
Bulgaria – Air Travel
Bulgaria is home to four international airports — Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv — with Sofia functioning as…
Read more →Bulgaria – Animal Welfare and Cultural Issues
Bulgaria is a full EU member state where pet ownership is on the rise — especially in its…
Read more →Bulgaria – Banking
Bulgaria’s banking sector is well-regulated and aligned with EU standards, with a mix of large international and locally…
Read more →Bulgaria – Buses and Trams
Bulgaria offers a practical and budget-friendly public transport system centred on buses, with trams lending a distinctive historical…
Read more →Bulgaria – Buying or Importing a Car
Purchasing or importing a vehicle in Bulgaria is entirely possible for foreign nationals, though the process is closely…
Read more →Bulgaria – Buying Property
Foreign nationals are permitted to purchase property in Bulgaria, though the rules governing ownership vary according to both…
Read more →Bulgaria – Car Rental
Hiring a car in Bulgaria is a relatively simple process for the vast majority of visitors and residents.…
Read more →Bulgaria – Citizenship
Foreign nationals can pursue Bulgarian citizenship through a number of distinct pathways: naturalisation following five years of permanent…
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Bulgaria’s complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) sector is both well-developed and continuing to expand, drawing on centuries of…
Read more →Bulgaria – Cost of Living
Bulgaria ranks among the most budget-friendly countries within the European Union, with day-to-day expenses running substantially below those…
Read more →Bulgaria – Cycling
Bulgaria presents cyclists with a nuanced reality: the infrastructure is gradually improving but remains inconsistent, urban cycling rates…
Read more →Bulgaria – Dentists and Dental Treatment
Bulgaria’s dental sector operates predominantly through private clinics, with the national health insurance system covering only a very…
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