Living in Bulgaria Pros & Cons: 1 Year Review (2025)

FREE Bulgarian Residency Checklist
👉 https://olgapronkina.com/bulgaria-residence-checklist-16

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Residency Application Assistance in Sofia, Bulgaria (EU Passport Holders & Non-EU Retirees) 👉 https://olgapronkina.com/Bulgaria-residency
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I’m making a video series answering real questions from subscribers. If you’d like to contribute yours, submit it here: 👉 https://olgapronkina.com/questions

Getting Residency in Bulgaria as an EU Citizen: Requirements, Process & Benefits 👉 https://olgapronkina.com/travel/getting-residency-in-bulgaria-eu-citizen-requirements-process-benefits/
How to Retire in Bulgaria as a Non-EU Citizen 👉 https://olgapronkina.com/travel/bulgaria/how-to-retire-in-bulgaria-as-a-non-eu-citizen-2025-guide/
Best City in Bulgaria for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers 👉 https://olgapronkina.com/travel/best-city-in-bulgaria-for-digital-nomads-and-remote-workers-2025/

WATCH NEXT
Cost of living in Bulgaria 2025 👉 https://youtu.be/8DR_ZqnG_gc
We Were SO Wrong About Sofia! (living in Bulgaria impressions after 6 months here)
👉 https://youtu.be/6f-DhMS9Big
What No One Tells You About Moving Abroad: Eastern Europe vs SE Asia
👉 https://youtu.be/fF2jlQIAZ_A

About me:
I’m Olga — a long-term expat and remote worker with a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Management. I help EU citizens and non-EU retirees relocate to Bulgaria — from choosing the right city and applying for residency to finding a comfortable rental and registering for taxes.
If you're looking for a lower-tax, lower-stress lifestyle in Europe, Bulgaria might be the right fit.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve lived in Turkey, Portugal, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Georgia, Albania, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. After years of trial and error across continents, my husband and I finally settled in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2024. It offered the right balance: infrastructure, affordability, and long-term stability inside the EU.
If you’re feeling stuck in research mode, you’re not alone. I’m here to help you move forward with confidence.
Start with my Bulgaria Expat Guide & Chat — or reach out for a personal consultation to get tailored help.

#bulgaria
#sofiabulgaria

DISCLAIMER: This video is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, medical, financial, or immigration advice. Always consult qualified professionals, such as immigration attorneys, tax experts, medical providers, or financial advisors, for up-to-date and personalized guidance.

While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, laws, regulations, and guidelines can change frequently and may be subject to interpretation. We are not responsible for any decisions made based on the content of our videos, articles, or linked resources. Please conduct your own research and seek professional advice before making any travel, relocation, or financial decisions.

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Long live you both. Sweet couple. Love and Respect for you both.

You mentioned non EU could be retired, can you mention, how much pension is required to move as retired? Thanks

I am a Japanese pensioner and have been living in Bulgaria for 10 years. I have a permanent residence visa for Bulgaria.

I really enjoyed watching this video. Thanks for the great video.
Wishing you all the best! 😍👌 💖153 like

Olga, you're already 20% Bulgarian, I see 🙂 Most Bulgarians also prefer staring the car and going to the mediterranean sea 😀 Definitely more blue there. However not sure if you saw the European Environment Agency came up with the "European bathing water quality 2024" study and it basically said that the top 3 bathing quality countries in Europe are 1. Cyprus 2. Bulgaria 3. Greece (in that order). Quite shocking.

Bulgaria scores pretty low on the Happiness Index. And I understand they don't smile very much.

30-40 restaurants in Sofia. Where I am located it cost me 5 Euro just for a main dish. And if I go to the most fancies place around here it will cost me 10 Euro may be 15.Rent will be 200 euro City center . 🙂

Hello Sir. Very very beautiful. Bulgaria. ZAman Australia Sydney

I find it so interesting that people in the migration office do not speak English. It seems like that should be the place where they should speak English, unless they only want to focus on people relocating back to Bulgaria from abroad. I am from the EU and will move to Bulgaria at the end of this month. Is it possible to deal with the migration office via Google Translate or other apps, or should I find a local translator to accompany me?

This was an interesting video. Thank you for sharing all the information!

Very cool thanks so much for sharing I am thinking to register here soon

I am an Indian .. want to settle in Bulgaria

very good video I am half Bulgarian and I know from an expat pov that your info are accurate and valuable. Kudos