What used to be one of the European continents lesser known nations, the mysterious, intriguing nation of Bulgaria has in recent years begun to slowly but surely begin to formulate a growing reputation for its unspoiled natural beauty and extremely affordable prices. Well the secret is out – people from all around Europe and the world are now realizing that a move to Bulgaria might not only be a great value to their money, but also a great quality lifestyle choice as well, helping to elevate their finances and work-life balances in a way few countries in the EU can truly offer.
As a proud Bulgarian (my family originates from what I like to jokingly call the ‘tri-state area’, or where the Bulgarian border intersects with the Turkish and Greek ones as well), as well as having lived in the country in my youth, I’d like to think I have a unique, personalized insight into the culture and country, which I think can help give you a local account of what makes this nation a great place to live, work, and play. This goes even more so if you are considering moving to or from the European Union, for reasons you will find below! With all that said, here are my top 5 reasons you need to move to Bulgaria that I hope to share with you today!
#1: Beautifully Tranquil Natural Settings
Despite being a relatively small nation, with a total square mileage that makes it roughly the size of New York State, there are few places on the continent that can offer such a beautiful array of diverse natural settings like Bulgaria can, in a great, easy to access package. There really is a climate and environment that can fit any prospective expats’ tastes here, and it doesn’t take long to see that so much of Bulgaria’s natural beauty remains relatively unspoiled and pristine.
If you’re a fan of rolling hills, majestic peaks, you’ll love the Rhodope and Rila Mountain ranges, where ski resorts and hiking trails are plentiful. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more fun in the sun, beach life on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is remarkable, with water that fades between colors of the brightest shades of azure and aquamarine.
And if you’re really in for an adventure when you move to Bulgaria, you could try living along with the environment, in the hilly town of Veliko Turnovo, where homes are built into the sides of the mountains, making for a truly remarkable experience of living in step with the incredible Bulgarian environment.
#2: Incredible History and Culture
Did you know that Bulgaria is actually the oldest country in Europe, founded all the way back in the 7th Century? With an intricate history and culture stretching back over many millennia, this Eastern European nation’s storied past has influenced, and been influenced, in many ways by its neighbors, which altogether has created a uniquely, beautiful conglomeration of customs and traditions that will be sure to bring a smile to any expat looking at a move to Bulgaria.
Notable cultural things of note include the ever present Cyrillic alphabet actually being invented in Bulgaria (sorry Russia!), as well as having the best quality yogurt and rose oil in the world (for all you dairy and perfume lovers!). Add in Bulgaria’s incredible recent sporting exploits (an incredible 4th place at the 1994 FIFA World Cup for instance), as well as the country’s ancient history, stemming from the steps of the Mongol hordes, through to Spartacus’s Thracian legends, and you have a country that has remained quietly relevant on the world stage for much longer than most nation’s have existed!
Sprinkle in a dash of Turkish, Greek, and Slavic influences with music, culture, food, and art, and you have what makes today’s modern Bulgaria – a warm, beautiful cultural mixing pot that is sure to inspire and captivate any lucky prospective expat who decides to move to Bulgaria, and make this place their new home.
#3: Lowest Tax Rates in the EU
As stated above, Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union since January 1st, 2007, and although in many ways this union may have become a double edged sword in many ways, there are still many benefits for those already living within the EU, who are considering a move to Bulgaria, to consider.
First and foremost is the fact that despite being part of the EU, Bulgaria still used the lev as their currency as opposed to the euro, which has helped it to stave off the kinds of economic hardships that neighboring EU countries such as Greece have had to deal with since joining the eurozone, despite Bulgaria’s mantle as being the ‘poorest country’ in the union.
However, despite this unfortunate title, for prospective expats looking at moving to the country, they will find Bulgaria to be remarkably affordable as a result, as well as far more tax-friendly than many other places in the EU, with a flat tax rate of 10% for all income created from within the country. Despite the nation not being the richest nation in Europe by any stretch of the imagination, Bulgaria still has a lot to offer business and real estate investors looking to make a profit, as well as expats looking for a nice, tax-friendly nation in the European Union, that makes things affordable and simplified.
#4: Fantastic Quality of Life For A Very Low Price
This also sprinkles down into the overall cost of living in the country, because once you move to Bulgaria you’ll soon realize that living here is extremely affordable, especially when considering the prices of its neighboring countries, even those not inside the EU!
Prices on everything from groceries, restaurants, alcohol, medical care, and more are all fractions of the costs that you would be paying for in Bulgaria’s neighbors, like Greece and Croatia for example, let alone their Western European counterparts, where the difference could not be more night and day. And what you’re getting isn’t of shoddy quality either – Bulgarian made products, as well as products available from within the country, are usually of very good quality, but due to the depreciation of the lev, are made that much more affordable.
As a result, a move to Bulgaria is almost sure to put more money back into your pocket, and allow you to focus less on breaking the bank for to build your life in an amazing new homeland. There are few places where your money can truly go further than here in Bulgaria, as so many young tourists have begun to discover, as they enjoy the cheapest holidays in Europe, on the nation’s lovely shimmering Black Sea coast.
#5: Amazing Investment Opportunities
But the incredible deals don’t just stop there, because Bulgaria in addition to offering insanely cheap holiday destinations, also offers unbelievably great deals on investments like real estate, all over the country. Ever thought about buying a whole village (yes, I said a whole village, not a typo)? Or what about buying acres of land for pennies on the dollar, to build your dream mansion for for fractions of what it would cost elsewhere? All that and more is definitely possible here once you move to Bulgaria.
This is partially due to the population density of the country decreasing year over year, as local Bulgarians go in search of higher paying jobs and opportunities in neighboring EU countries, which in fact has made the country now have one of the fastest declining populations in Europe. That said, although the unfortunate economic situation of the local populace has led to many expatriating from their own country, this does provide an opportunity for prospective expats looking to move into Bulgaria from abroad, as they bring their wealth, expertise, and life-experience to a new land, which helps to stave off the brain-drain in many respects in this part of the world.
As a result, a move to Bulgaria now means a move to an affordable, safe new home, where land is cheap, housing is readily available, and allows you to stretch out a bit, enjoying life to the fullest, without all the crowds closing in all around you. It allows for a truly tranquil, peaceful kind of existence that many more popular destinations sadly now lack, and is slowly helping Bulgaria to become known as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for expats looking for amazing investment opportunities, to literally live like a king.
Destination: Bulgaria, A Mysterious Land of Beauty and Wonder
Despite me being a tad bit biased, considering my roots and heritage coming from this remarkable place, I would be the first to admit that Bulgaria has its many pros and its cons, and there are many things to consider for the prospective expat who is seriously thinking about a move to this Eastern European diamond-in-the-rough. But despite its failings, Bulgaria manages to still shine on through the darkness of its ex-communist years as a nation slowly but surely on the rise in the 21st century, as a peaceful beacon of opportunity and hope, for many expats looking for a quieter, more tranquil existence, in an affordable, pristine European destination.
It’s for all these reasons and more which make a move to Bulgaria a brilliant masterstroke of an idea for the well-researched prospective expat, as they decide to move to an ancient land of mystery and wonder, which is finally starting to shed its title as Europe’s absolute best kept secret, as it opens its arms out to the world.
If you’d like to read more about Bulgaria, as well as my other top picks for living life in Eastern Europe, then why don’t you check out my article on the topic right here? You’ll be glad you did!
Have you ever been to or moved to Bulgaria? What was your experience with living in Bulgaria? Let us know in the comment’s section below – we’d love to hear from you!