How much money is needed to live in Bulgaria: housing, utility bills, and other expenses?

Factors influencing life in Bulgaria

In this article, we will explore the key aspects that define life in Bulgaria. We will discuss important topics such as currency, housing, utilities, food, transportation, healthcare, education, and leisure. We will also focus on the financial conditions necessary for a comfortable existence in this country.

The currency of Bulgaria

Bulgaria usesBulgarian levas its national currency. This currency has a fixed exchange rate against the euro — for one euro, you can get 1.95 leva. To make the information more accessible, we will present all prices in euros from now on. The country is experiencing an inflation rate of about 12%, while the incomes of local residents have increased significantly faster — by about 17% over the past year.

Real estate market

As for real estate, foreigners can freely purchase residential and commercial properties. The ability to buy apartments without restrictions is quite accessible, while when it comes to buying houses and villas, which involve owning land, foreigners who are not EU citizens will need to establish a legal entity in Bulgaria.

Housing prices

Housing prices vary depending on the region and distance from the sea. For example:

• At a popular resortSunny BeachYou can find studios by the coast starting at €15,000.
• In the capital of the country, the average prices per square meter exceed €1,500.
• In Varna, as in other major cities, the cost per square meter also exceeds €1,000 and ranges from €1,200 to €1,500.

Interest in Bulgarian real estate is growing, including both old Soviet panel buildings and new constructions, as well as parking spaces and commercial areas. The real estate market is actively changing, and significant price fluctuations can be expected at the beginning of the new season.

Rest in resort areas

For those who prefer to spend their vacation in resort areas, the optimal places will be:

• Sunny Beach
• Saint Vlas
• Nesebar

You can rent a studio here for €25–30 per day. If your priority is a quieter vacation, consider lesser-known regions such asPrimorskoorPomoriewhere prices start at €15 per night.

Rental cost

The rental price largely depends on the amenities offered.

• availability of parking
• pool
• fitness center and other services

Typically, the costs for such additional services are already included in the overall rent, which averages €10 per square meter per year. It's also important to consider the proximity to supermarkets, pharmacies, and cafes, as these significantly impact the comfort of living.

Conclusion

In conclusion, life in Bulgaria has its own characteristics that require careful consideration of various factors related to currency fluctuations, the actual state of the real estate market, and overall living conditions.

Important aspects of renting housing

When a family plans to live for an extended period in a rented area, it is crucial to consider the proximity of educational institutions, kindergartens, sports sections, and medical centers. These factors can significantly affect the cost of renting a home.

For example, during the resort season, the rental price for a studio or one-bedroom apartment near the sea ranges from €200 to €250 per month. Please note that long-term contracts often offer more favorable conditions.

Utility costs

Also, don't forget about utility expenses. In Bulgaria, electricity payments must be made strictly on time, and if payment is delayed for more than ten days, the electricity may be disconnected. Reconnecting the electricity will incur additional costs.

Apartment and house owners pay for electricity at two rates: daytime and nighttime. At the beginning of summer 2022, the daytime rate was0.24 levafor kilowatt-hour (€0.061), while the night rate –0.14 leva(€0.071), including VAT.

A family of two usually consumes about300–350 kilowattsper month if a water heater is used. The night tariff is in effect from 10 PM to 6 AM in winter and from 11 PM to 7 AM in summer, which allows for savings on expenses.

Water bill

In most cases, water meters are installed in every residential unit. If there is no meter, the water bill is calculated based on the "average" consumption, depending on the total area of the house. It's worth clarifying this in advance, as the rules may vary in different residential complexes.

The water supply bills indicate:

• reading of the meter at the beginning of the billing period;
• meter reading at the end of the billing period;
• applied tariff;
• total amount.

In the first half of 2022, the cost of a cubic meter of cold water for household use was about2.95 levawith VAT (€1.49).

Heating and hot water

As for heating, the cost of one megawatt-hour is98.48 leva(€49.86), and the calculation is based on the meter readings. In winter, residents pay not only for heating but also for hot water, while in the off-season, they only pay for hot water.

The payment term for invoices is 45 days after the service is completed; for March, for example, payment is due byMay 15Although there are meters installed in the apartments, residents may need to make a prepayment based on estimated expenses.

After the heating season ends, an analysis of actual heat usage is conducted in comparison with the expected indicators, which allows for adjustments to the payment amounts. As a result, a "comparative estimate" may arise, which can be used to settle any outstanding debts or to carry over any overpayments to the next billing period.

These aspects of renting in Bulgaria are very important to avoid unexpected expenses and issues with utilities.

In most cases, the costs associated with inspections start to become apparent in June or July. It should be emphasized that the costs of housing and food in Bulgaria are quite reasonable compared to other European countries. This applies not only to small markets but also to large supermarkets. In small shops located in villages, the selection of products can be quite limited. However, large supermarket chains such as Billa, Lidl, Kaufland, Metro, and Carrefour offer a wide variety of goods. The most popular among Bulgarian chains are CBA and Piccadilly.

Prices for groceries in supermarkets

Having looked at the prices of products in supermarkets in Bulgaria, we can notice that:

• Bread:about €0.5
• A liter of milk:approximately €1.1
• A kilogram of cheese:within €5–8.5
• Bryndza:about €6 per kilogram
• Sour cream (400 g):€1.9
• Cottage cheese (400 g):about €2.17
• A dozen eggs:€2.73
• A liter of olive oil:€6.5
• A liter of sunflower oil:about €2.47
• 250 g of butter:about €3.1
• A kilogram of rice:€1.18
• A package of pasta (0.5 kg):€1.65
• Pork:€5 per kilogram
• Chilled chicken:€3 per kilogram
• Dorado fillet:€11.63
• Salmon:from €19.2
• Basturma:about €15 per kilogram
• Wine:€5.57 for 0.75 liters
• One and a half liters of water:€0.51
• A kilogram of potatoes:€1
• A kilogram of tomatoes:€1.36
• A kilogram of cucumbers:€1.45
• A kilogram of cabbage:€0.5
• A kilogram of onions:€0.6
• A kilogram of bananas:€1.5

Regional price differences

Prices for groceries can vary significantly depending on the region: in tourist cities, they are often one and a half to two times higher than in areas that are less popular with vacationers. In every major settlement, regular farmers' markets are held, where you can find fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as other local products at lower prices.

Seasonal offers at the markets

During the season, you can find the following at such markets:

• Apples and pears:from 1 lev per kilogram
• Plums and grapes:from 1.5 BGN per kilogram
• Fig and apricots:from 2.5 BGN
• Watermelons and melons:from 0.99 BGN per kilogram
• Peaches:2 BGN per kilogram

Ways to save in Bulgaria

As a rule, every reasonable person can find ways to reduce expenses. In Bulgaria, there are various ways to save on food, electronics, and clothing. For example, second-hand clothing, known as "vtorа upotreba," is very popular. There is also a wide network of stores selling used electronics, most of which are imported from Germany. Generally, you can find items with minimal cosmetic flaws there, which do not affect their functionality.

Save on food

If there is a need to cut down on food expenses, large cities have many local markets and specialized stores where prices are significantly lower than in major supermarkets. There are also wholesale bases known as "borsas." For example, in the Sunny Beach area, close to the water park, fruit and vegetable wholesale bases and stores operate during the summer.

Restaurant prices

Cafés and restaurants also offer affordable prices.

Buying an apartment in Bulgaria

During the period of strict restrictions, I made the decision to buy an apartment in Bulgaria online. This step was quite unusual for me, as we managed to purchase a three-room apartment for a price comparable to that of an air conditioner in our hometown. Moving the whole family to the sunny expanses of Bulgaria became a wonderful event.

Public transport

As for public transport, there has been a change in prices in the country recently. The cost of a bus ride now ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 leva, which translates to approximately 0.61–0.76 euros.

If you intend to purchase a monthly pass, its price will be around 47 leva or 23.8 euros. As for taxis, an average trip around the city will cost you about 10.5 leva (approximately 5.32 euros). However, for frequent trips, it makes more sense to consider renting a car: the average cost of such a service is 28.5 leva per day, which is equivalent to 14.4 euros.

Gasoline and communication prices

The prices of gasoline are also very important. In November 2022, a liter of 95-octane gasoline cost 2.11 leva (or 1.07 euros). Now let's discuss the connection: the cost of mobile internet and telephony depends on the chosen operator and service package.

• Almost all companies offer similar rates, but the differences may lie in the number of channels, the amount of provided minutes, and internet speed.
• For example, for home internet with a speed of up to 50 Mbps, you will have to pay from 14 leva per month, which is approximately 7.09 euros.
• Cable television with 140 channels – from 16 leva (8.01 euros).
• The minimum mobile phone tariff will cost around 12 leva (6.08 euros), which includes limited minutes and data.

Buying clothes and household goods

When the need arises to buy clothes or household items, it's important to consider that most of them are produced abroad. For this reason, their prices in stores are quite comparable. It all depends on the brand and manufacturer.

• Jeans are available from 20 euros.
• Turtlenecks – from 12 euros.
• Men's tracksuits can be found starting from 30 euros.
• Summer dresses for women start at 24.5 euros.
• Sports kits – from 27 euros.
• The tights are offered at a price of 4 euros.
• Men's socks (a pack of five) cost 5 euros.
• Nike sneakers can cost around 64 euros.
• Leather boots will cost you about 62 euros.

Home goods

As for home goods,

• The frying pan costs about 17 euros.
• The pot costs 23 euros.
• A set of six plates – 9 euros.
• Cutlery - 20 euros.
• A dish cleaner (4 liters) costs 2.5 euros.
• Laundry detergent (3.3 L) – from 6 euros.
• You can find shampoo for around 4.3 euros.

Medical assistance

Regarding medical care in Bulgaria, it is important to note that it is paid for both locals and foreigners. Therefore, having health insurance becomes essential. For tourists, the cost of insurance ranges from 160 to 300 leva, which is approximately 81–152 euros.

You can obtain a policy from both local and foreign insurance companies. If you do not have a long-term residence permit, you will have to rely on travel insurance. However, if you have a residence permit, you can get special insurance from organizations such as "Bulstrad Life," "Unica," or "DZI." With this insurance, you will be able to receive medical care in local clinics.

In this situation, the costs for medical services will not fall on your shoulders, as they are covered by the insurance company. However, once you obtain permanent residency (PR), you can register in the country's healthcare system. In this case, a consultation with your doctor will cost only 3.5 leva, and such medical services for children are provided completely free of charge.

Children's education in Bulgaria

In the field of early childhood education, it is important to note that early care institutions and kindergartens for children under three years old are under the control of local authorities and are not the responsibility of state services. Once a child turns three, they can start attending kindergartens, both public and private. Bulgarian legislation establishes a mandatory preschool education period of two years. However, the process of enrolling in a kindergarten can take time, and in recent years there has been a shortage of places in institutions for all those who wish to enroll.

Educational institutions

In Bulgaria, each municipality has educational institutions for children, including art schools and sports organizations, where students can enroll to gain knowledge and skills for a small fee. For example:

• In Nessebar, there is an art school that offers classes in music, painting, piano, and the traditional instrument gaida.
• In the cities of Ravda and Nessebar, there are stadiums where coaches offer training in football, athletics, and tennis courts are also available.

Educational system

The educational system in Bulgaria consists of 12 grades and is divided into two levels:

• Primary education: covering grades 1 to 8.
• Secondary education: including grades 9-12.

The academic year is divided into two semesters: the first starts in mid-September and ends in late January, while the second begins in early February and lasts until June.

Types of educational institutions

The education system in Bulgaria continues the traditions of continental education and offers various options:

• Vocational schools.
• Educational institutions.
• Foreign language schools.

In addition to public educational institutions, private schools are also actively operating. The cost of education for foreigners in public institutions ranges from€100to€300per year, while private schools can request an amount up to€2,000.

Higher education

According to the current legislation on higher education, universities in Bulgaria have autonomy and independent governance. The country has...51 higher education institutionAmong them are nine private colleges that offer degrees that meet European standards. All universities provide programs for obtaining bachelor's and master's degrees.

The academic year at most universities starts in October and is divided into two semesters: spring and fall, which can last up to32 weeksDiplomas issued in Bulgaria are recognized in all European Union countries, making Bulgarian education in demand and valuable in the European labor market.

Conclusion

The conclusion that summarizes the discussion about life in Bulgaria is very important, as it helps to understand all the aspects that may influence the decision to move or take a long vacation in this country.

Comparing the cost of living in Bulgaria with other European countries, I can say that there is indeed a lot to find appealing here.Bulgarian levThe strict peg to the euro helps foreigners better navigate prices, despite the current inflation. Although the inflation rate in the country is around12%, the growth of local residents' incomes at the level17%gives hope for favorable economic conditions.

Housing opportunities

Buying property in Bulgaria is a real opportunity for foreign citizens, opening doors to create a comfortable corner by the coast. Property prices vary depending on the location and level of infrastructure, allowing everyone to find a suitable option.

• On Sunny Beach, you can find studios starting from€15,000.
• In Varna, the cost per square meter starts from€1,200depending on the type of object.
• The rental of an apartment by the sea in the summer varies from€200–250 per month.

Utility payments

Utility payments are a separate topic that you only start thinking about after moving in. The obligation to pay for electricity and water requires us to be attentive. However, with the right approach to saving on resource consumption, it is possible to significantly reduce the budget for utility expenses.

The main utility expenses include:

• Electricity:It is paid according to the daytime and nighttime rates.
• Water:The calculation is based on the readings from the meters.
• Heating:the heating tariff is€49.86per megawatt-hour.

General conclusion

All of this, together, creates an appealing lifestyle in Bulgaria. I hope that the overview provided will help readers better understand how much money may be needed for a comfortable existence in this country, where rich culture, magnificent landscapes, and opportunities for enjoying life come together.

Movingor temporary stay here is not just a financial decision, but also a step towards a new experience. In conclusion, Bulgaria offers us not only comfort but also a unique atmosphere for growth, relaxation, and creating memories that will warm us throughout our lives.