Relocating to Bulgaria

Preparing for Relocation

Moving to another country is a great adventure. It can also be very stressful but, with careful planning you can keep the stress level to a minimum. If possible, begin to plan your relocation at least 6 - 12 months before the date when you intend to move to Bulgaria. You should make a checklist of tasks, with the dates by which the tasks should be completed. Refer to the checklist regularly to ensure that you have not forgotten anything.

Your checklist might include these items, plus any others that you think are necessary:

• Decide which items you want to take with you to Bulgaria and which items you can manage without.
  Think carefully about whether you should transport large electrical items and furniture to Bulgaria, or whether it is better to buy new goods when you arrive there. Electrical goods that come from a 220V or 240V country will function perfectly well in Bulgaria but goods that are designed for to accept 110V will not.
• Contact several companies who offer international removals. Smaller companies who specialise in relocation to Bulgaria might be cheaper than the larger, well-known companies. If you want to use one of the smaller companies, try to get some recommendations from other people who have used their services.
• Arrange a "garage sale" to dispose of those items that you will not take with you to Bulgaria. Alternatively, invite your friends and neighbours around for a BBQ and auction the items to them.
• If you have pets, decide whether it is best to take them with you or to re-house them in your home country.
  The journey to Bulgaria can be a little stressful for pets such as dogs and cats, but if you are going to live in a house (rather than an apartment) they will probably love Bulgaria as much as you will. Read more about taking pets to Bulgaria.
• Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your departure date. Obtain the latest information about visa requirements from the Bulgarian embassy in your home country. Do not rely on visa information that is shown on the internet - some of the information available is old and incorrect.
• Learn the Bulgarian alphabet. Even if you do not have the time (or the desire) to learn the Bulgarian language, you will find it enormously useful to be able to identify the characters in the alphabet. Many shops and businesses in Bulgaria have familiar names but they are written in Cyrillic. It can be tremendous fun, and very satisfying, when you find that you are able to read the signs.
• Join at least one of the "ex-pat" forums on the internet, such as ExpatInBulgaria.com. It is a good way to get to know people who have already relocated to Bulgaria. You will learn a lot of useful information and you might even make some good friends.

Village or Town

Many people (particularly from the UK and Ireland) choose to buy a house in a village. If you are buying a holiday home, or you want to spend every day in the peace and tranquility of a rural location, a village is ideal. However, if you have children or you don't like driving, you should consider the benefits of a town. As children grow they need sports facilities, cinemas and other leisure amenities. If you are intending to spend your retirement in Bulgaria, you might want to be close to shops and medical facilities.

Finding Schools for Your Children

Finding the right school for your child is vitally important. Most parents find that young children blend well into the local (municipal) schools. They learn the new language quickly and make friends with the Bulgarian children very easily. Within a short time you will find that your children are chatting just as easily in Bulgarian as they do in their native tongue.

Teenagers might find it more difficult to adjust than younger children, but given a little time to make friends, they will soon find that life in Bulgaria can be great fun. Surveys show that children over about 10 years of age do not learn new languages quite as easily as younger children. It might be worth paying for the children to have private lessons in Bulgarian, and you might wish to send them to a school with English-speaking teachers. Schools in most large towns will have some English-speaking staff and cities such as Varna and Sofia have international schools.

Read more about Schools and Universities in Bulgaria.

Pets and Relocation

Bulgaria can be a paradise for cats and dogs, as long as they are loved and cherished. However, you will find that the veterinary care in Bulgaria is more basic than in Western Europe. Most vets in rural areas will be more experienced in treating goats and horses than domestic pets. If you want your pet to be pampered and treated with the same level of care as in the UK or Ireland, you might have to use a vet in one of the cities.

You will probably decide either to bring your pet with you by car, or to ask a Pet Travel company to transport your pet to Bulgaria for you. We came to Bulgaria with our cat, Suki. We drove across Europe in a motor caravan, so Suki was quite comfortable throughout the journey. If you have a smaller vehicle, you might feel that the journey will be too difficult for your pet. In this case, professional Pet Travel companies will ensure that your companion arrives safe and well.

Suki's Pet Passport Photo

Before you take your pet to Bulgaria, you will probably want to get a Pet Passport. If there is any chance that you might want to take the animal to the UK or Ireland at a later date, you will certainly need one. You might also need to obtain an Export Health Certificate, which can be required by the Bulgarian customs. You should speak to a veterinary surgeon in your home country several months before you intend to relocate. Your pet will require several inoculations, some of which must be given several weeks before departure. We recommend that you speak to your veterinary surgeon at least 6 months before your departure date and ask him to explain the procedure.
Learn more about DEFRA - The pet travel scheme (PETS) within the European Union.

Selling Your House

It's always a dilemma - should you look for a home in Bulgaria first, or sell your house first? There is no absolute answer to this question but, if the property market in your home country is slow, it's probably wisest to wait until you have an offer before you choose a specific property in Bulgaria. It can be heart-breaking to fall in love with a beautiful villa with magnificent sea views and then lose the house to another buyer who is ready to move.

Professional real-estate agents are experienced people who know the best ways to promote your property. However, the internet has brought about a revolution in the way that properties are sold. If you want to save some money, and you think you have some sales skills, you could try selling the house yourself.

Earning Money in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has many opportunities for people who have ambition. There is very little heavy industry in Bulgaria, but there are literally thousands of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops in all the major cities. As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria is fast adopting the western lifestyle, and English-speaking staff are always in demand. (Of course, it will make job-hunting a lot easier if you also learn some of the Bulgarian language before you move here.)

If you have always wanted to be self-employed, but never had the opportunity - now is your chance. Try learning a skill such as plumbing or plastering, as there is always renovation and construction work available. And even if you can't find work straight away, these skills will probably be useful in your own Bulgarian home. If you can afford to buy a large house (or to renovate a house with outbuildings) you could run a guest house. If you have computer skills, you will find that there are international companies in the cities who are looking for computer specialists with a good knowledge of English.

We are happy to provide advice on how to find work in Bulgaria. We can tell you about the job opportunities in different parts of the country and about how to look for work. Some of the jobs in Bulgaria are advertised on the internet. Useful sites include:

• Jobs Bulgaria
• Job Tiger

Be Adaptable and Be Happy

Finally, do not expect your new life in Bulgaria to be the same as life in your home country. Be adaptable and enjoy new experiences and new cultures. Above all, be friendly and welcoming to your Bulgarian neighbours and they will be friendly and welcoming to you.

Further information

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