The cost of living in Bulgaria is one of the lowest in the world. Eating and drinking is cheap here with an average meal costing between 5-7 euros and a bottle of beer less than 1 euro. Petrol prices are slightly cheaper than in the UK, but foodstuffs and general services cost a lot less.
Telephone services are provided via automatic street telephones with tokens and phonecards. You can also make a telephone call from almost every post office. Internet services are available at clubs and cafes in almost every town.
The large towns have a good public service network with buses, taxis, trams and mini bus services. Sofia is the only town which has an underground railway.
Bulgaria is not a member of the EU, and if you are from the UK you need a visa if you want to stay there for more than 30 days. These can be obtained before travelling from your local Bulgarian embassy, or on entering the country.
If you want to live and work here, then you need a permanent resident's permit or the offer of a job where a temporary work permit can be issued.
But be aware that employers cannot take on more than 10% foreign personnel, and if it is deemed the work could be undertaken by a Bulgarian national then permission will not be granted.
You can have an unlimited number of bank accounts in any currency here. There are no restrictions on the the repatriation of earnings or interest on foreign investments.
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