Prices and costs in Bulgaria: an overview for relocation

Bulgaria: a country with a low standard of living in the European Union

Bulgaria is an EU country with relatively low incomes. The average salary salary in the country does not exceed 400 euros per month. Despite this, prices for goods and services are noticeably lower, especially compared to Russia. The city of Varna, for example, will delight you with prices that lag behind those in Moscow by a one third.

Comparison of life in Bulgaria and Russia

According to the Numbeo.com ranking, the cost of living in Bulgaria is in 84th place, while Russia is in 51st place. Prices in the country are comparable to those in Belarus and Turkey. In rural areas, goods and services are more affordable than in cities, where prices are higher. For example, living in the cities of Varna and Sofia is more expensive.

Budget for a comfortable life in Bulgaria

For a comfortable life in Bulgaria, a family of two adults and a child will need at least 1,500 euros per month. This amount will allow them not only to buy groceries and clothes but also to enjoy restaurants, theater, and trips to the sea.

Obtaining a long-term visa in Bulgaria

Owners of real estate in the country receive a long-term visa category D, requiring the payment of visa fees and translation of documents. Annual renewal of the visa also requires additional costs. Those arriving in Bulgaria must purchase insurance for the entire period of stay.

Transportation costs in Bulgaria

Transportation costs in the country are not low. Keeping a car in good condition is expensive due to fuel and parking costs. Renting a car will cost an average of 15-20 euros per day. Public transport has reasonable prices: a monthly pass is about 25 euros, and a taxi is approximately 0.4 euros per kilometer.

Prices in Bulgaria

Prices in Bulgaria for many goods and services pleasantly surprise tourists. The country offers retirees and foreigners the opportunity to purchase a monthly transport pass for all types of transport for just 3 euros. Food prices in the city of Varna are significantly lower than in Moscow, about 20% less. In Bulgaria, you can buy vegetables, fruits, and wine at very affordable prices. For example, apples, oranges, and tomatoes are sold for around 1 euro per kilogram. A bottle of wine can cost an average of 2.5 euros, while rakia (a traditional Balkan alcoholic drink) ranges from 5 to 7.5 euros. In Bulgarian stores, imported alcohol can be purchased noticeably cheaper than in the customs zone of Moscow airports.

Food and entertainment

However, the savings on meat are not so obvious. The price of pork is around 3.5–4.5 euros per kilogram, chicken is about 4.5 euros, and beef is 7.5 euros. The cost of meals in public dining places in Bulgaria is roughly half of what it is in Russian establishments. You can have breakfast or lunch at a snack bar for about 3.5–4 euros, while in a restaurant it’s a bit more expensive at around 20 euros. A cup of coffee costs about 1 euro.

• The best place to look for low prices on groceries is in discount stores like Billa, Carrefour, Fantastico, Kaufland, and Lidl. You can find affordable vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish there.
• The prices for entertainment in Bulgaria will also pleasantly surprise you. Excursions start at 30 euros, museum tickets will cost between 3 to 5 euros, and you can get into the theater for as little as 1 euro. A visit to the zoo will cost about the same amount. A movie ticket is 5 euros, and a day at a children's club in a resort complex is also 5 euros.

Medical services and education

Medical services in Bulgaria are of high quality and affordable. The insurance that is worth purchasing for a trip to the country covers expenses for emergency medical care. In Bulgarian hospitals, services are paid: a doctor's consultation costs between 15-20 euros, dental treatment ranges from 25-100 euros, and a full medical examination costs 450 euros.

Education in Bulgaria is paid for foreigners. The cost of kindergartens in Sofia is about 200 euros per month, while in rural areas they are offered at lower prices.

Accommodation and outdoor activities

Bulgaria is an attractive country for budget travelers. You can stay in a hotel for as little as 20 euros per night, and renting an apartment for a month will cost around 250 euros.

Bulgaria is one of the poorest countries in the European Union

The average salary is about 400 euros per month. Everything in Bulgaria is cheaper than in Russia, except for cigarettes (around 2.5 euros) and gasoline (1.33 euros). Prices for consumer goods in Varna are on average 30% lower than in Moscow.

According to Numbeo.com, Bulgaria ranks 84th in the world cost of living index (for comparison, Russia is in 51st place). Prices for most goods in Bulgaria are roughly the same as in Belarus and Turkey.

• Prices are lower in rural areas than in urban areas.
• Among the cities, the cost of living is highest in Varna and Sofia.

Living expenses in Bulgaria

To live comfortably in Bulgaria for two adults and a child, you need at least 1,500 euros per month. With this amount, you can afford not to skimp on food and clothing, dine out in a restaurant once a week, go to the theater once a month, and relax by the sea.

Visa and transportation expenses

Owners of real estate in Bulgaria receive a long-term visa of category D, which in 2013 cost 3,900 roubles. In addition, it is necessary to pay 1.5-3.0 thousand roubles for the translation of documents, confirming the grounds for obtaining a visa. The annual renewal of a residence permit costs 350 euros, commission intermediaries - up to 250 euros. Each time you confirm the status must prove the presence of an account of at least 2,000 euros. thousand euros.

• All entrants to the country must pay for insurance, which costs 1 euro for each day of stay, and round-trip plane tickets. The cost of a flight from Moscow to Burgas is 300–380 euros.

Transport in Bulgaria

As mentioned above, gasoline costs 1.33 euro/liter. The maintenance of a car worth 5,000 euros costs the owner 250 euros a month. You can rent a car for 15-20 euros per day.

• The fine for improper parking is 10–25 euros. A parking space costs about 1 euro per hour. You can purchase a parking space in an open lot for around 3,000 euros, and in an underground parking garage for 8,000 euros.

Food in Bulgaria

Prices for foodstuffs in Varna are 20% lower than in Moscow. In Bulgaria, vegetables, fruit and wine vegetables, fruit and wine. Apples, oranges and tomatoes cost about 1 euro per 1 kg. A bottle of wine can be bought for EUR 2.5 on average, a bottle of rakija for EUR 5-7.5.

• Prices in dining establishments in Bulgaria are roughly half of those in Russia. You can order a cup of coffee in a restaurant for about 1 euro.

Entertainment and cultural life

In Bulgaria, entertainment prices are low. Excursion prices start at 30 euros. Museum tickets cost 3–5 euros. Theater tickets start at 1 euro. Visiting the zoo costs about the same. A movie ticket can be purchased for 5 euros. A day at a children's club in a resort complex costs 5 euros.

Medical services and education

Medical services vary in quality and accessibility. Insurance purchased for a trip to Bulgaria covers expenses for emergency medical care. In regular cases, services in Bulgarian hospitals are paid. A doctor's appointment costs 15–20 euros, dental treatment ranges from 25 to 100 euros, and a full medical examination costs 450 euros.

Education

Education in Bulgaria is paid for for foreigners. Kindergartens in Sofia cost about 200 euros a month. per month in Sofia, and cheaper in rural areas.