Choosing a source
Start with the right source
Use official sources for visas, residence, healthcare, accreditation, and legal status. Commercial websites can show you options, but they do not prove that a listing, job, or course is genuine or officially approved.
Emergency number
Call 112 for police, fire, an ambulance, or an immediate threat to life. The service works across the country. Do not use it for routine administrative questions.
Bulgaria is fully in Schengen and adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. Government procedures still change, and English translations sometimes appear later than Bulgarian pages. Confirm details that affect your legal status, health, or money with the relevant institution.
- 01
Separate EU and non-EU rules
Residence, work, and study rules depend heavily on your citizenship and purpose of stay.
- 02
Keep originals and copies
Bring passports, translated certificates, insurance documents, leases, receipts, and your appointment confirmation to meetings at government offices.
- 03
Expect some Bulgarian
An English landing page does not guarantee every form or desk appointment is available in English.
Paperwork and status
Visas, residence, and administration
Bulgaria’s euro changeover
Official European Central Bank information about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026.
Open website Official · EnglishBulgarian eGovernment
The national portal for administrative services, public offices, forms, and online procedures.
Open website Official · EnglishBulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official visa types, Schengen rules, entry requirements, forms, and Bulgarian embassy information.
Open website EU official · EnglishEU Immigration Portal: Bulgaria
EU guidance for work, study, family reunification or joining family members, research, and long-term residence.
Open website Official · EnglishForeign Citizens Single Point of Contact
A practical government overview of residence conditions and links for non-EU citizens.
Open website Official · EnglishMigration Directorate
Residence permits and documents for EU citizens, family members, and people from outside the EU.
Open websiteFinding a home
Apartment and housing websites
Search several websites because the same listing may appear more than once or stay online after the home is gone. Some agencies use an attractive old listing to collect messages and then offer other homes.
Alo.bg property
A broad classifieds marketplace with many rental listings, particularly outside central Sofia.
Open website Listings · BulgarianHomes.bg
Search apartments, houses, and commercial property for rent or purchase by city and neighbourhood.
Open website Listings · BulgarianImot.bg
One of Bulgaria’s largest property portals for rentals and sales; the interface and most listings are in Bulgarian.
Open website Listings · BulgarianImoti.net
Long-running property portal with agency and owner listings across Bulgarian cities and towns.
Open website Classifieds · BulgarianOLX Bulgaria rentals
Owner and agency classifieds. Useful for comparison, but verify identities, ownership, and the property in person.
Open website Official · BulgarianProperty Register portal
The Registry Agency portal for official property-register services and ownership-related checks.
Open websiteView the exact property and check the identity of the landlord or authorised agent. Read the lease and record the furniture, meter readings, deposit, building fees, heating, notice period, and repair duties. Get receipts. Do not send a “reservation” payment to an unknown person. If needed, ask whether the lease can support your residence registration.
Euros, cards, and bills
Money and banking
Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026, and contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities. Keep some cash for village shops, markets, and small mehanas that do not accept cards.
Bulgarian National Bank
The central bank: euro-changeover information, exchange rates, statistics, and registers of licensed banks and payment providers.
Open website Payments · BulgarianEasyPay
Pay bills in cash at hundreds of offices using your client number.
Open website Payments · BulgarianePay.bg
Pay electricity, water, heating, phone, and municipal bills online once you register a Bulgarian card.
Open website Official · BulgarianNational Revenue Agency
Taxes, social-security contributions, and the personal identification code (PIK) used to access many e-services.
Open website Fintech · EnglishRevolut
Widely used for daily card payments and splitting bills; most Bulgarian shops and restaurants accept contactless.
Open website Fintech · EnglishWise
Transfers in several currencies, useful before you open a Bulgarian bank account.
Open websiteAvoid standalone ATMs with high fees. Decline “dynamic currency conversion”, which uses the ATM’s own exchange rate, and choose euros instead. To open a Bulgarian bank account, you usually need to visit a branch with ID and proof of address or residence status. Rules vary by bank, so ask what to bring.
Universities and employment
Studying and working
Study and degree recognition
Bulgarian University Ranking System
Compare accredited universities and subjects by teaching, research, graduate results, and labour-market data.
Open website Official · EnglishErasmus+ Bulgaria
The national Erasmus+ agency for mobility programmes, including study exchanges, participating universities, and current opportunities.
Open website Official · EnglishHigher education registers
Ministry of Education links to recognised higher-education institutions and official registers.
Open website Official · EnglishNACID
Degree recognition, diploma checks, and information about regulated professions, meaning jobs that require official qualifications.
Open website Official · EnglishNational Evaluation and Accreditation Agency
Check whether a university and its courses are officially approved, or accredited.
Open website EU official · EnglishStudent in Bulgaria
EU portal explaining entry, residence, work rights, and post-study conditions for non-EU students.
Open websiteConfirm that both the university and the exact course are accredited, meaning officially approved. Ask the university about the teaching language, clinical or other practical placements, recognition in the country where you plan to work, total fees, accommodation, visa documents, and refund rules.
Jobs and labour-market information
DEV.BG Jobs
Technology jobs, employer profiles, events, and salary information.
Open website Official · EnglishEmployment Agency
Public employment services, labour-office contacts, programmes, and official employment information.
Open website EU official · EnglishEURES Bulgaria
EU information about jobs, living and working conditions, and help with finding work across borders.
Open website Jobs · BG/ENJobs.bg
The largest general job board; many international and technology roles are advertised in English.
Open website Jobs · BG/ENZaplata.bg
General job listings by sector and location, including multilingual and entry-level roles.
Open websiteNever pay a recruiter for the promise of a normal job. Get the salary, probation period, working hours, location, remote-work terms, benefits, notice period, and visa sponsorship in writing. If you are not an EU citizen, confirm your work authorisation before starting the job.
Know before you need it
Healthcare and emergencies
Ministry of Health
National health policy, public-health notices, rules, and ministry contact information.
Open website Official · EnglishNational Health Information System
Digital health information and access points for Bulgaria’s electronic health services.
Open website Official · EnglishNational Health Insurance Fund
Public insurance information, regional fund contacts, rights, providers, and complaint channels.
Open website Official · EnglishNHIF international affairs
How public healthcare works for temporary and longer stays, including EHIC use and choosing a GP.
Open websiteEligible visitors can use an EHIC for necessary care in the public health system. It does not cover every provider, private treatment, repatriation or emergency transport home, mountain rescue, or all costs paid directly by the patient. Check your insurance before travelling.
Getting around
Transport and travel planning
BG Toll
Buy the official electronic road-use pass, called a vignette, and check whether it is valid.
Open website Official · EnglishBulgarian State Railways
Official train timetables, live information, service notices, and online tickets for many journeys.
Open website Official station · BG/ENCentral Bus Station Sofia
Departures and operator information for many domestic and international bus routes from Sofia.
Open website Official · EnglishSofia Airport
Flights, terminal information, airport transport, parking, and passenger services.
Open website Official · EnglishSofia Metro
Official metro maps, service information, projects, and links for travelling across the capital.
Open website Official · EnglishSofia Urban Mobility Centre
Sofia public-transport routes, timetables, tickets, parking zones, and traffic information.
Open websiteBDZ provides train information in one place. Bus information is spread across different stations and operators. Confirm the bus with the departure station or operator, especially for small towns, weekends, and seasonal routes. Buy the motorway road-use pass, called a vignette, only from BG Toll or an authorised seller.
On your phone before you need them
Popular apps used in Bulgaria
Install the basics by category: communication, transport, food delivery, shopping, hiking, and home groceries. Many Bulgarian communities and businesses use Facebook groups, Marketplace, events, and pages. Messenger remains useful even if you rarely use the main app.
Communication
Viber and Messenger are the two default options to have ready. Viber is especially common for family chats, school groups, building entrances, small businesses, and everyday coordination.
Messenger
The practical follow-up from Facebook groups, Marketplace, events, and small-business pages. Useful when a shop, landlord, or seller has no modern website.
Open website Messaging · BG/ENViber
Messaging, calls, family chats, school groups, neighbourhood updates, and business communication. Many Bulgarians will suggest Viber before asking for your phone number.
Open websiteTransport
Use TaxiMe for licensed taxis, BDZ for trains, and Moovit for city public transport when local timetables are hard to decode.
BDZ tickets
Official online train search, reservations, and tickets for Bulgarian State Railways. Keep the ticket visible on your phone or printed when required.
Open website Transit · EnglishMoovit
Live public-transport routes for Sofia and other Bulgarian cities when schedules are unclear.
Open website Taxi · EnglishTaxiMe
Book licensed, metered taxis in Sofia and other big cities, and pay in the app. This helps you avoid being overcharged.
Open websiteFood delivery
Wolt and Glovo are the main delivery apps foreigners usually try first in bigger Bulgarian cities. Coverage depends heavily on address and opening hours.
Glovo Bulgaria
Restaurant, grocery, pharmacy, and shop delivery in larger cities, with many local chains available through one app.
Open website Delivery · EnglishWolt Bulgaria
Restaurant, cafe, grocery, and shop delivery in supported Bulgarian cities, with an English interface and in-app tracking.
Open websiteShopping
Some goods cost much more on Bulgarian websites, especially electronics, home items, hobby equipment, and imported brands. Compare the full price, including delivery, with Amazon.de and other EU websites.
Amazon.de
Often cheaper for imported goods, electronics, books, kitchen items, and niche products. Check whether the seller ships to Bulgaria and compare the final total with delivery.
Open website Shopping · BulgarianeMAG Bulgaria
Large Bulgarian online marketplace with home, office, and locker delivery. Local returns and warranty claims may be easier.
Open websiteHiking
For mountain days, combine a detailed map with the official mountain rescue channel. Download routes before you leave signal coverage.
BG Mountains
Community-built hiking maps covering Bulgarian mountain ranges, usable offline in common map apps.
Open website Maps · BG/ENkade.si
Online map viewer with BGMountains, topographic terrain maps, aerial views, railway maps, and hiking routes.
Open website Safety · BulgarianMountain Rescue Service
Official Bulgarian mountain rescue information, emergency contacts, rescue app details, and mountain safety updates.
Open websiteHome grocery delivery
For a full weekly shop, check grocery delivery services first. Then compare them with supermarket delivery through Glovo where available.
BILLA via Glovo
BILLA grocery delivery through Glovo in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Pleven, with weekly offers and supermarket basics.
Open website Groceries · BG/ENeBag
Online supermarket for planned grocery orders, household goods, produce, meat, dairy, and same-day slots in supported areas.
Open website Groceries · BulgarianKaufland via Glovo
Kaufland grocery delivery through Glovo in Sofia and selected areas of several larger cities.
Open websiteFacebook groups and pages
How Facebook is used in Bulgaria
Many businesses post their latest opening hours, event changes, menu photos, and customer replies on Facebook. Local groups also work as noticeboards for neighbourhoods, parents, jobs, rentals, lost pets, second-hand goods, and village news.
Facebook Events
A useful calendar for small concerts, village festivals, workshops, markets, club nights, talks, and community gatherings.
Open website Communities · BG/ENFacebook Groups
Search in Bulgarian and English for your city, neighbourhood, profession, hobby, parent network, university, or expat community.
Open website Marketplace · BG/ENFacebook Marketplace
Furniture, household goods, bicycles, electronics, rentals, and local collection. Inspect items and verify sellers before paying.
Open websiteGroup recommendations can be useful, and Marketplace can save money. Check landlords, employers, sellers, tickets, and payment requests yourself. Never send a deposit only because a profile looks established or someone tells you to hurry.
Questions, opinions, and local context
Reddit communities for Bulgaria
Reddit is useful for frank answers and past discussions that you can search. Check the date and expect strong opinions. Confirm legal, medical, financial, or administrative information with the appropriate official or professional source.
r/bulgaria
The largest Bulgaria subreddit, with news, politics, jokes, questions, and discussion in Bulgarian and English.
Open website Reddit · BG/ENr/Sofia
City-specific discussion covering transport, events, neighbourhoods, services, food, housing, and everyday problems in the capital.
Open website Reddit · EnglishReddit r/AskBulgaria
An English-language place for practical questions about visiting, moving, studying, working, and living in Bulgaria.
Open websiteUnderstand what is happening
Bulgarian news and media
No single outlet is a complete picture. Compare a wire service or public broadcaster with independent reporting, business coverage, and Bulgarian-language sources.
BTA English
English reporting from Bulgaria’s independent national news agency, including politics, economy, culture, and regions.
Open website TV news · BulgarianbTV News
One of the main commercial television newsrooms, with breaking news and video in Bulgarian.
Open website Public media · BulgarianBulgarian National Television
News from the public television broadcaster; useful for Bulgarian-language coverage and live video.
Open website Business news · BulgarianCapital
Business, policy, companies, markets, and long-form analysis; some content requires a subscription.
Open website News · BulgarianDnevnik
Bulgarian-language current affairs, politics, business, society, and explanatory reporting.
Open website News · BulgarianMediapool
Bulgarian current affairs and political reporting with domestic and international coverage.
Open website News · EnglishNovinite
A high-volume English-language Bulgaria news site covering politics, business, society, and culture.
Open website Public media · EnglishRadio Bulgaria
Bulgarian National Radio’s English service with news, culture, interviews, weather, and audio.
Open website Independent · EnglishThe Sofia Globe
Independent English-language reporting and analysis focused on Bulgaria and the region.
Open websiteLocal communities
Finding your people
Moving to a new country can be lonely. Expat and international groups in Bulgaria can help you meet people and find answers to practical questions.
Useful bookmarks
Weather, tourism, post, data, and phones
A1 Bulgaria
Mobile, home internet, and television plans from one of Bulgaria’s national operators.
Open website Official tourism · BG/ENBulgaria Travel
The official tourism portal for destinations, heritage, nature, routes, and seasonal ideas.
Open website Official · EnglishBulgarian Posts
Post-office locations, services, tracking, postal codes, and international delivery information.
Open website Official data · EnglishNational Statistical Institute
Official data on population, prices, wages, housing, tourism, labour, and the economy.
Open website Official weather · EnglishNational weather service
Forecasts and warnings from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Open website Telecom · BulgarianVivacom
Mobile, fibre, television, prepaid service, and another national coverage option.
Open website Telecom · EnglishYettel Bulgaria
Mobile plans, prepaid services, devices, coverage, and store locations.
Open websiteListing titles, neighbourhood names, municipal notices, and customer-service pages are often Bulgarian-first. Learn to decode the alphabet, keep the essential phrases close, and browse the cities and places guide before choosing where to settle.