Moving To Bulgaria From The UK

Moving to Bulgaria

Whether you are moving to Sofia, Varna, or Burgas, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Bulgaria All shipments to Bulgaria from the UK will have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges. Once you contact your local Britannia office, they will be able to provide more specific information on moving your goods to Bulgaria.
	Bulgaria Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Bulgaria Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Bulgaria All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Bulgaria with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Motor Vehicles To Bulgaria Importation of motor vehicles to Bulgaria will be subject to compliance, it is probable that duty and tax will apply.
	Bulgaria Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular overseas transfers Prepaid currency card Forward contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Bulgaria with Britannia

Your Move to Bulgaria with Britannia – Britannia can offer a door to door service to Bulgaria, and can either ship your effects by shared load, by full container load, or can offer a door to door airfreight service. Our network of removal agents in Bulgaria will arrange customs clearance and can also deliver and unpack your effects.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional removal services when moving to Bulgaria. We can arrange insurance, storage, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in Britannia’s removal services to Bulgaria, find out more about your moving costs, and read about our international removals, and additional moving services, such as money transfer. You can also request a quote for your move.

Living in Bulgaria

While Bulgaria remains a somewhat enigmatic and distant country for most of the world, more and more tourists are discovering the natural wonders and the picturesque towns of this country that connects East and West. Tourists swarm to the Black Sea Coast with its sandy beaches, and an increasing number of people are investing in property there. Whether you are planning to move to the cultural, and commercial centre, Sofia, or the seaside resort, Varna, you’ll discover Bulgaria’s untouched beauty and unique culture.

Located in Southeast Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Romania, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea. Following a communist rule of over 40 years, Bulgaria is nowadays a parliamentary democracy and is a member of the EU, NATO, and the United Nations. Bulgaria has also recently undergone an economic transition to a free market economy, and although economic growth has been rapid in recent years, the income level still remains one of the lowest in the EU.

While bureaucratic inefficiency, and organised crime remain crucial problems, Bulgaria is a stunning country that can appeal to many open-minded expats and travellers. Living costs are low, public transport inside the country is cheap and efficient, and once you immerse yourself in Bulgarian culture, you’ll have the chance to explore Bulgaria’s lush mountains, distinctive cuisine and spectacular monasteries.

Bulgaria Visas

If you want to work in Bulgaria, you’ll need a Type D long-term visa. You’ll need to first secure a job offer from a Bulgarian employer, as they will need to sponsor your work permit. They’ll need to demonstrate that the position can’t be filled by a Bulgarian or EU citizen, so you’ll typically need to have specific qualifications or experience.

There is also a self-employment visa available, if you’re self-employed or plan to start a business in Bulgaria. You’ll need to register as a freelancer and demonstrate you have sufficient income to support yourself in order to qualify.

After you have lived in Bulgaria for five consecutive years, you can apply for permanent residence. After 10 years of residence, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship.

Working in Bulgaria

UK citizens looking for work in Bulgaria will find the most opportunities in the cities of Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. Many multinational companies have offices in these locations, especially in IT, finance, and engineering. People who know multiple European languages may find it easiest to find a role, as there are a number of European companies that have outsourcing centres in Bulgaria.

Teaching English as a foreign language is another popular role for UK expats, although teachers with a qualification are preferred.

The working culture in Bulgaria blends traditional values with a modern approach influenced by its growing integration with international markets. Workplaces tend to have a hierarchical structure, with respect for authority being an important part of work culture. Building trust is essential in professional relationships – Bulgarians value getting to know colleagues before fully collaborating. Bulgarians generally value a good work-life balance. Many employees prioritise family time and personal well-being over staying late at work.

Cost of Living in Bulgaria

Living and housing costs in Bulgaria are significantly lower than in Western Europe, although if you are planning to work in Bulgaria, your salary will also be lower than the average pay in the UK.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Bulgaria is nearly 40% lower than in the UK, not including rent. Rent costs alone are 65% lower in Bulgaria than in the UK. Salaries are, on average, 67% lower, at £806 per month compared to £2,444 per month in the UK.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Bulgaria below. Prices are shown in Bulgarian lev and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Bulgaria

• Bulgaria is one of the oldest European countries.
• Bulgarian is a Slavic language spoken fluently by around 9 to 12 million people, and uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
• Varna on the Black Sea Coast used to be a major trading centre in ancient times.
• When Bulgarians move their heads up and down that means no, and when they move their heads from side to side, it means yes.
• Bulgaria produces about 85% of the world’s rose oil, an essential ingredient in perfumes.
• Bulgaria is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries, with traditions dating back over 6,000 years.

Choose Britannia for Your Bulgaria Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Bulgaria and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.