Live and work in Bulgaria

No, if you are a member of the European Union (EU) you are entitled to work without visa or permit. Foreigners from outside EU countries will need a Type D work visa (for long stays) to obtain a work permit. The Bulgarian employer will have to issue to permit on behalf of their foreign employees, but the employee (you) have to provide some documents. You can read more here.

The ability to speak English in Bulgaria varies among individuals and depends on factors such as education, age, and occupation. In general, younger generations and those working in the tourism industry or in larger cities are more likely to speak English. English is commonly taught in schools, and many Bulgarians have at least basic knowledge of the language. However, fluency levels can vary, and outside of major cities or tourist areas, it may be more challenging to find English speakers. Having a basic understanding of Bulgarian or using translation tools can be helpful when communicating in certain situations

Bulgaria’s climate is a temperate-continental climate which means it has various weather conditions, also varying due to the mountains. The summers are generally nice, long, and warm while the winters can get cold and with snowfalls in winter.

Bulgarian is considered one of the most challenging languages to learn because of the complex grammar and the use of the Cyrillic alphabet. You can find both online courses as well as schools that offer language courses (e.g. Edno School in Sofia).

Buses are the primary and most often quickets form of transport in (and between) the cities and outskirts hereof. Some cities also offer trolleys. You can buy tickets (Bulgarian: bileti) at the stations at least an hour before departure, although some routes only sell tickets once the bus arrives. In the capital Sofia public transport is like in other big cities with metro, buses, trams and taxis. The network and infrastructure is good in Bulgaria.

Health insurance is mandatory in Bulgaria. EU and EEA residents are covered by their European Health Insurance (EHIC), so they are entitled to medical treatment at hospitals who are contracted with the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund. Emergency healthcare is free. Other medical services cost a small amount of money and are self-paid. The hospitals are more old-fashioned compared to Western standards, but the treatments and medical care are good. The staff might not speak much English.