Living in :
Bulgaria
Once in Bulgaria, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
Since Bulgaria is new to the EU, the rules differ from longer standing members of the EU community.
As a British national, if you plan on staying in Bulgaria for 90 days or less, you do not need a visa unless planning on working. However, if you plan to stay longer (or to work), you will need a "Lichna Cartas". To obtain either a long term visiting visa or a work permit, you must contact the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate. Visas are only issued to those people who's passports show validity extending 3 months beyond the date they plan to leave, and also contain blank pages. Make sure your passport meets these critera prior to applying.
Like in most situations, there are exceptions to every rule. British Citizens with the following British Passport types will need a visa regardless:
British Overseas Territories Citizen without Right to Abode
British Overseas Citizens
British Subjects without Right to Abode
British Protected Persons.
Bulgarian Embassy - Long-Term Visas (Type "D")
Bulgarian Embassy - Visas
Bulgarian Embassy - Visa Fees
Be aware that according to their embassy, visa applications can take up to 10 work days to process during non busy times. So make sure you leave plenty of time to arrange this.
Once the 3 months period expires, you either have to leave Bulgaria, or apply for an extension visa at the local police station (politseiski uchastak , or Ministerstvo na vatreshni raboti - MVR) and there will be a fee to pay. You should be aware that doing this the formal way will involve lots of queuing and paperwork. In addition to avoid any misunderstandings since the police rarely speak English, it is advisable to take a Bulgarian speaker with you.
Although we can neither condone nor recommend this, many people avoid the above bureaucracy and head for the nearest border post. They then leave Bulgaria for a few seconds (making sure that their passport is date-stamped on the way out) and then walk back across the border again, thereby qualifying for another thirty or ninety days. Border guards are so used to seeing foreigners do this that they're unlikely to bat an eyelid.
On arrival in the country, you are required to register with the local police station within 5 days. You will then be given a registration slip. Keep this on you at all times as you could be asked to show it.
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Social Security Number (NSSI). This number identifies you to the Bulgarian taxman and is required when dealing with the tax office. Details regarding how to obtain one of these can be found in the link below.
Bulgarian National Social Security Institute
If you are employed, your employer should sort your tax registration out for you, however if you are self employed, you will need to find an accountant who can help set up your business correctly in a way which will legalise you with the relevant tax authorities.
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Information regarding childcare for pre-school children can be found here:
Demogr - Childcare
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Bulgarian school?" These sites may help you with this decision.
Demogr - Education
Independent Schools - Independent Private Schools in Bulgaria
About - Private Schools
Need - Schools in Bulgaria
If you're going to study in Bulgaria, you will need information regarding courses.
Prospects - Postgraduate study
Open University - Business School
Study Abroad Directory - Bulgaria
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Some Doctors and Dentists are English speaking although finding one can be a challenge! You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals, if this fails, you can always contact the embassy who should be able to point you in the right direction.
This list may be of help, however they do not guarantee an English Speaker. You would need to call first.
Doctors
Dentists
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account is not difficult. All you need is your valid passport and some funds. You may need a Bulgarian speaker with you to help with the process as many banks do not have English speakers. Although simple, it does take time, so make sure you leave plenty of time to take care of this.
How to guides - banks in Bulgaria
Qualisteam - Bulgarian Banks (with reviews)
Property Show Rooms - Banking in Bulgaria
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
The Bulgarians are quite flexible when it comes to driving licences. You are allowed to Drive on your UK licence without issues. However, if you leave the UK you then have two choices. You can either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Bulgarian authorities and have it replaced with a Bulgarian Licence.
The traffic laws are outlined here:
Travel Island - General Driving information
Be aware that drving in Bulgaria can be "interesting" and one is left wondering if any of them actually took at test at any point in time!
There are no "on the spot fines" in Bulgaria, however you will be issued with a ticket. Also drivers with foreign plates are often stopped for either minor or non existant offences.
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the roads!
Europa - Getting there
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Bulgaria, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Foreigners entering Bulgaria in a motor vehicle have to provide proof of both ownership and insurance for the vehicle. If it was purchased tax paid, or second hand in any EU country, then there are no import taxes payable. So it is also beneficial to bring any receipts you may still have - if not, don't panic. You will be expected to pay the Bulgarian road tax (Vignette) on entry to the country. You can choose between 1 week, 1 month, 6 months or 1 year. The longer you pay for, the cheaper it works out over the period.
To register the car in Bulgaria, you must go to your local KAT Office (traffic police) and since this is the ONLY place where they can deal with vehicle registration, the queues are often huge, so leave plenty of time.
If you wish to buy a car in Bulgaria be aware that you could get sold a real dummy! The general feeling is don't buy in Bulgaria, but look in other EU member states and import it in. This said, if you do want to buy one there, go to a reputable dealer and make sure you get all the warrenties etc.
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searchs in Bulgaria. The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
Euro Jobs
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Register for language courses
We Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. In many cases, not even recognising letters, let alone words! It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Bulgaria
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Bulgaria.
More information can be found here:
Foreign Office - Marriage Formalities in Bulgaria
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British Nationals dying in Bulgaria
While in Bulgaria, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Sofia will be of help.
Foreign Office - Registering a death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! In the first while you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Fire Bregade - 160
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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