Residency and visas
What a British citizen needs to check before staying long-term.
Home / Living in Bulgaria
The practical side of a different life
Feel at home
in the everyday.
A new country becomes home through the ordinary things: a doctor you can reach, a journey you can make and people you can turn to. Start with the questions that really matter.
More than finding somewhere to live.
Knowing how to live there.
Rules, healthcare and finances deserve proper research before you go.
Then come the little things: shopping, neighbours, schools, transport and finding your feet.
A life, not a holiday
It's the ordinary Tuesday that counts.
The quiet details often shape a move more than the scenery does.
Where do you collect a prescription? Can you get to town without a car? What happens if the heating fails in January? What documents will a school need?
We are building free, practical guides around those questions, for British people preparing to move and people who already live in Bulgaria.
Read about settling into Bulgarian life ↗Take what you need, leave the rest
The guides to everyday life.
Eleven starting points, grouped by the decisions you're making. All free to read and available without a login.
01 / Everyday guidance
Before you move
Decisions worth settling before you pack.
Know which permissions and documents apply, and bring the whole household into the plan.
Documents and paperwork
Originals, translations, apostilles and the UK organisations to notify.
Retirement and pensions
Plan around pension payments, healthcare cover and life after work.
Taking pets to Bulgaria
Check the 2026 rules, veterinary documents and travel arrangements.
02 / Everyday guidance
Stay well and prepared
Make a plan for health, money and difficult days.
Get the practical foundations right, then know where to turn when something unexpected happens.
Healthcare and medication
S1 eligibility, insurance, prescriptions and access to treatment.
Money, banking and tax
Using euros, organising accounts and checking cross-border tax questions.
Emergencies and consular help
Prepare essential contacts and understand when to call 112.
03 / Everyday guidance
Settle into everyday life
The routines that eventually make somewhere home.
Transport, school runs, broadband, language and the little things you need to know.
Driving and getting around
Licences, road charges, actual transport connections and winter travel.
Families and schools
Education, children’s paperwork and what to check locally.
Working from Bulgaria
Work permissions, tax, employers and reliable connectivity.
Everyday essentials
Shopping, local services, utilities, language and community life.
These guides help you research your options. Immigration status, healthcare entitlement, tax and local services depend on your circumstances and can change. Important decisions should be checked against current official sources or independent professional advice.
Good questions make a better move
Check the reality behind the lovely view.
Every village, town and neighbourhood has its own practical rhythm.
A bus stop on a map isn't a reliable timetable. A hospital nearby may not offer the care you need. An old online cost estimate isn't today's price.
Use our regional research and speak directly to the people and providers who can confirm what is actually available.
Independent and open
Good information should be free.
You should never have to buy a membership just to understand your next steps.
No account required for our guides, checklists or calculators. Where sources are important, we link to the original authority and make room for uncertainty.
New / Free UK-to-Bulgaria Toolkit
Move with confidence, not guesswork.
Explore independent property safety, private moving and budget planners, Bulgarian phrases, pet preparation and the first 90 days after arrival. No account, email or fees.
Explore the free toolkit ↗