28 Pros and Cons of Living in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the most popular countries for relocation. But before you seriously consider moving to Bulgaria for permanent residence, in this short but informative article, I’ll explain the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria that you can expect.

This year, Bulgaria climbed to 88th place in the happiness ranking, surpassing the Maldives.

But let's start with the pros of living in Bulgaria:

1. The climate is ideal for the average European. What’s more, you can choose to live in the plains, the mountains, or along the coast, depending on your personal preferences. There are also thermal springs with mineral water.
2. Overall, the environment is good.
3. Bulgaria's convenient location.
4. Affordable transportation options. For example, we found a flight from Bologna to Sofia for €4.90 and a flight from Varna to Berlin for €20. A wide range of flight destinations. For example, more than 70 airlines operate flights from Varna.

And buy the cheapest bus tickets You can do it here.

5. Personal Safety. Bulgaria is a relatively safe country—safer than France, Australia, Greece, and Montenegro. We and our friends can also confirm these statistics from our own experience.
6. The absence of a language barrier and the similarity of languages and mentalities. Most people, especially those over 40, speak Russian.
7. Bulgaria is a member of the EU, and obtaining Bulgarian citizenship in the future grants the right to live and work in EU countries.
8. Bulgarian cuisine.
9. A degree earned in Bulgaria entitles the holder to work in EU countries.
10. Bulgarians are, for the most part, friendly people and less aggressive.

Cons of living in Bulgaria:

1. Trash on the streets. 

2. There is no central heating, so everyone copes as best they can. Some people buy electric heaters or air conditioners, while many simply spend the winter in a cold apartment.

3. Poor roads. In the global ranking of road infrastructure quality, Bulgaria has slipped to 102nd place, ranking below Zambia. This is despite toll roads and paid blue zones (an annual vignette for a passenger car costs about 50 euros). The roads and road infrastructure are in poor condition. Road markings are often missing or difficult to see. As a result, the accident rate is rising. 

4. High energy prices. Electricity prices in Bulgaria are among the highest, and they are constantly rising. Although the government assures the public that there is no electricity shortage, prices continue to rise. 1 kW costs €0.11 during the day. Gasoline costs €1.30 per liter, and diesel costs €1.50 per liter.

5. Low wages and pensions. In terms of wage levels, Bulgaria traditionally ranks last in the EU. The minimum wage is €331 per month, or €2 per hour. The average gross salary is €777, before taxes, insurance, and other deductions.  The minimum pension is €188, and the average pension will rise to €292 as of January 1, 2022; it is expected to increase to €340 in 2024.

6. High prices. For some people, this will come as a «surprise,» but food prices turned out to be higher than in Germany and Poland, for example.

7. Relatively high prices for mobile service. This may come as a surprise to some, but mobile service prices in Bulgaria are high. The cheapest two-year contract for one number starts at €7 per month—which is essentially without internet—and €8.66 per month with internet.  Furthermore, once you sign a one- or two-year contract, it’s practically impossible to cancel it without incurring significant financial losses.

8. It came as a surprise to some immigrants that a Bulgarian residence permit or permanent residence status does not grant the right to travel freely within the EU, since Bulgaria is not yet part of the Schengen Area and visas are required. 

9. Private Health Insurance. If you have permanent resident status or Bulgarian citizenship, you are required to pay monthly health insurance premiums. If you miss a payment, late fees and other penalties are automatically assessed immediately.

10. The general population’s low standard of living. It’s not easy to spot a new car on the roads; people—often even those who are well-dressed—are rummaging through trash cans, and there are many secondhand stores. Locals get by thanks to the real estate they own, which they rent out.

11. Smoking. The percentage of smokers is higher in Bulgaria. You can encounter tobacco smoke everywhere—coming from the ventilation system in an apartment, on the landing, in the elevator, and at the bus stop.

12. Theft and fraud. Personal safety is generally good in Bulgaria, but the same cannot be said for the security of private property. Your bike could be stolen, or your car broken into. Although eight years ago, we could leave our car unlocked with the windows open, and everything would still be there. You might get short-changed at a currency exchange, but that’s always been the case.

13. High cost of car ownership. Auto insurance starts at 118 euros. The annual vehicle tax varies widely depending on the municipality, the car’s emissions standard, engine power, and year of manufacture, and can range from 25 to 130 euros. The annual vehicle inspection costs between 15 and 30 euros. Despite this, the number of cars on the roads is growing. There is a severe shortage of parking spaces.

14. Smoke in the atmosphere. In winter, there is a smell in populated areas due to wood-burning stoves used for heating.

15. An ongoing political crisis. In 2021, Bulgaria held its fourth set of elections (three parliamentary and one presidential).

16. Bulgaria has strict tax laws. Bulgaria is ranked Doing Business It ranks 97th in terms of tax quality, below countries such as Uganda, Syria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone. The tax authority monitors all cash inflows into Bulgaria.

There have been cases where 95-year-olds were convicted and had their property confiscated for failing to pay taxes dating back ten or twenty years. The tax authorities also sometimes make mistakes. Unsuspecting people receive fines of astronomical amounts, which they then have to fight in lengthy court proceedings. Although officially, «everything is fine.» Basic tax rates in Bulgaria: corporate income tax – 10%; VAT – 20%; dividend tax – 5%; interest tax – 10%; income tax – 10%; social security – 23.7–24.4%; health insurance – 8%. 

17. No preferential treatment for small business. In practice, the pressure exerted on small businesses by government agencies is even greater than that on large companies. This is because large companies can afford to hire top-notch lawyers and have lobbyists within the government. Unfortunately, the penalty system is inadequate: even the slightest technical violation results in fines that are astronomical for small businesses. Sometimes, the tax authorities will shut down a store just for a few hundred kopecks in excess in the cash register. Huge fines push small businesses to the brink of bankruptcy or destroy them altogether. Tax laws are enacted chaotically and without any consistency, and they tend to become increasingly strict (the so-called “tightening of the screws”).

18. Low level of digitalization. There are few payment terminals and ATMs that accept cash. However, the situation in this area has recently been slowly improving.

By clicking on this link, you'll learn about 19 downsides of living in Bulgaria in 2024. And by clicking on this link, you'll learn about 29 benefits of living in Bulgaria in 2024.
If you have your own pros and cons, please share them in the comments.
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