Pros and Cons of Living in Bulgaria
Last updated on Jun 12, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Bulgaria include its low cost of living, its beautiful landscapes, its rich cultural heritage, and its friendly people. On the other hand, the cons of living in Bulgaria include its poor infrastructure, its high levels of corruption, and its lack of economic opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Bulgaria responded:
"Qualty of life ,cost of living, very inexpensive. Locals are very friendly and helpfull. Climate much better than my home country," said one in Burgas.
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Bulgaria, as well as the country's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. They also enjoy the friendly locals and the fact that English is widely spoken. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in setting up a business or residence in Bulgaria to be a bit overwhelming. Additionally, the country's infrastructure can be lacking in some areas, making it difficult to access certain services," explained one expat in Bulgaria.

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What do expats in Bulgaria appreciate most about the local culture?
"The traditions that are observed most of which are centuries old. One of which is "Martinitza" (probably not spelled correctly). March 1st which celebrates the coming of spring and you wear something red and white. Everyone seems to participate even the dogs and cats. Coffee shops...Bulgarians love to sit inside or outside, talk and drink coffee...very good coffee," explained one expat living in Varna.
"Expats in Bulgaria appreciate the country's rich cultural heritage, which includes a variety of traditional music, dance, and art. They also enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals, who are known for their welcoming attitude towards visitors. Additionally, expats appreciate the country's stunning natural beauty, with its mountains, forests, and Black Sea coastline. Finally, expats enjoy the affordable cost of living in Bulgaria, which makes it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget," said one expat in Bulgaria.
What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Bulgaria often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the country's bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate, as many processes are not well-documented or easily accessible. Furthermore, the cultural norms and expectations can be difficult to understand, as they are often quite different from those of other countries. Finally, the cost of living in Bulgaria can be high, making it difficult for expats to adjust to the local lifestyle," said a person living in Bulgaria.
"Putting up with terrible drivers. Streets in many cities are very narrow and cars are parked every which-way on sidewalks or wherever. Speed limits for the most part are not observed and very seldom enforced. I will admit that the new government is trying to crack down on speeders with cameras," explained one expat living in Varna.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Bulgaria?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Bulgaria?
- Will I be able to find a job in Bulgaria?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Bulgaria appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Bulgaria?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Bulgaria accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Bulgaria like?
- How are healthcare services in Bulgaria?
- What are medical services in Bulgaria like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Bulgaria?
- What are emergency services like in Bulgaria?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Bulgaria?
- How are local medical facilities in Bulgaria?
- As a foreigner living in Bulgaria, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?