Cost of Living in Sofia

BOOBA
If you genuinely believe you can generalize, as you did, about any group of human beings, your IQ is most likely under 40. Also, be careful with joking about death because life is unpredictable.

I spend like a 500-600 euros/month on meal/household goods (I cook at home most time and order to 5 Glovo delivery/month), my 2 room apartment costs 920 euro/month (public utilities included, Lulin district).
I have to agree with some of commentators that living here is not comfortable without knowledge of Bulgarian language. From time to time I face situations where even manager staff don't know simple English (Glovo delivery, for example) and with regular staff it even worse. Sometimes I have feeling that they don't want speak English in purpose.
Also, not too often, but still sometimes I face not friendly looks from the service staff, as if I offended someone. Idk why this happens. I'm always friendly and polite in public and I give extra tips to staff. You bulgarians should be more friendly to foreigners, especially when they buy smth and support your economic. But despite the toxic service, outside of shopping, people are quite friendly here. They smile often, joke and laugh out loud.
Personally, I don't find Sofia city inspiring at all. It doesn't have inspiring architecture, people miss the USSR, food is often mediocre here. Yeah, you can go in mountains, but I'm not a big fan of such pastime. Don't want to make Sofia look bad. The city is just fine. You can find here a lot of restaurants, bars, gyms, clubs, theaters, go to the cinema. But something is missing here and I don't feel inspired.

Bulgaria is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, if not say the world (with a little exaggeration), but whoever have lived in the rich west knows this is true in comparison.

People don't understand this perception because many come with the rich foreign currency (US dollar, GBP, Euro), which is doubled and sometimes almost tripped for them (e.g. 500 pounds is 1,100 in BG currency). The prices of food and necessary goods in Bulgaria are insane. You can look at the statistics above. Everything is converted from Euro, as majority of goods are imported, even the most of basics - milk, rice, fruits and vegetables. Clear examples of this is - you won't see the iPhone costing 2600 euros in another EU country, or pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) for 150 euros. These things are 2-3 times cheaper in the developer west.

Let's say you go to a website and want to buy clothes from Sweden that has their prices in Euro. You select your items and your total is 200 Euros for 3-4 items. This for a Bulgarian would convert as double price due to the currency, labor market economy. Imagine that tomorrow you wake up and your milk from 1 euro is now 3 euros, jeans are from 40 euros to 80 euros, gas prices from 1.50 are 4 euros.

The explanation is very simple, at least in my opinion. The Bulgarian labor, especially in the IT sector, is considered one of the cheapest in the world, while at the same time of very high standard, quality and education. India comes first. Many companies from the US and rich west come in Sofia because an engineer or developer would cost half of the price than if they go to Barcelona, Stockholm or Amsterdam. This is nothing new as we already know the advantages abused of such economies, same as in India. This is causing a major problem because the world and Bulgaria has made itself a reputation of cheap labor, which is to nobody's advantage to ever become costly, ever in the future. It's a matter of time until young people and skilled professionals realize that they could migrate and utilize their labor for way higher salaries anywhere else in Europe.

This is why the population in Bulgaria is shrinking and with no surprise. Now after covid, with many people switched to full-remote work, come in Bulgaria and abuse the cheap economy, while their salaries remain in Euro. This causes further inflation, as this is poured into the economy, tricking it to believe the cost and standard of living have jumped but this is not the case. You can see apartment owners raise their rent prices 3 times as they are hoping a foreigner would come to rent it with their European salary.

Absolutely filthy and disgusting place, full of subhuman fascist tatars. Beograd will always be the true capital of the Balkans.

To
Anonymous on November 30, 2022

Apparently you have a pig mentality if you don't find in Bulgaria what you don't find in your homeland.
Stay in your country of birth.
There is hardly a perfect city on earth.
Otherwise, there are many good things here, as well as not so good things, but Sofia still remains the cheapest in the EU. Many Black Sea and ski resorts and spa hotels are available.

Isn't there hate speech moderation on this website? Most comments here are just ethnic slurs and contain zero useful information. I would like some practical information about *the cost of living* in Sofia.

I agree with the last post about Bulgarians living in Communist times very non progressive rude to each other in public and foreigners too is their norm.Fastest shrinking population in all of Europe and the world.Theres nothing magical about Bulgaria never was.Filthy streets trash everywhere men and women smelling like a sewer but the rest of Bulgaria smells like that too.Heavy smokers drinkers loudmouthed nobody's is what they are.Want to make a Bulgarian mad? Tell them the Ottoman is their masters.

You either like Sofia or you hate it depending upon your tolerance levels.My wife and I don't speak Bulgarian language since it's very hard to learn.Many friends from the UK living in Bulgaria don't either.Best advice don't socialize with the Bulgarians because no matter where in Bulgaria it is few if any Bulgarians are happy about anything.

Sofia including all of Bulgaria has never been a good thing not even close to it.Europeans and British have ruined Sunny Beach Varna and any other areas they've touched in Bulgaria.

No worries though the UK government handed pensioner's their asses on Monday telling them you're on your own meaning no more pensions

ATTENTION TAX FOREIGN RETIREMENT PENSIONS

I was going to retire in Bulgaria until I found out Bulgaria has a 10% flat tax rate on retirement pensions no matter where they come from. To be considered a tax resident one who stays more than 183 days per year is a tax resident. It doesn't matter if any country has a tax treaty with Bulgaria there's no exemption for retired expats living in Bulgaria.

From my end my net yearly retirement income would be a tax of $3,300 usd. Regardless of what anyone says online it's a mandatory 10% tax on annual income. This information came from a tax lawyer in Bulgaria.

Just a heads up

We are wiping out your wanna be tuff guys so called mafia trash 112 so far eliminated. One things for certain they cry like babies on their knees while we ram them then we bag them and burn them alive. Never fuk with the Irish republican army. So-called tuff Bulgarian women rammed with a hot curling iron and acid poured all over them.We watch as they meltdown their screams music to our ears. Never fuk with the Irish republican army.

To the trash irish go back in u r country we dont want u here and to the trash bulgarian lady with arab fantasy go in iraq and be used as dog

After reading through some of the negative comments it just brings light to what I experienced going to college in Sofia as an exchange student for one year. I suppose being a polite young woman from Ireland didn't matter at all especially to Bulgarian men.Harrassed every day at the college and when just eating at a restaurant alone. To say Bulgarian men are pigs would be an understatement.From what I noticed during my year in Sofia the women are just as bad.Although I paid for two years tuition at the college I couldn't take anymore of the viscious mindset Bulgarians had, so much hatred not only for people from other countries such as myself but displays of hatred for each other. Then there were those wannabe mafia males thinking people were afraid of them. But I never feared any of those wannabe thugs.I grew up around the Irish Republic Army my dad is still a member. I can guarantee any man who disrespects any woman is taught respect forcefully without a doubt. To those Bulgarian males who think they're so bad come to Ireland and try your brand of mentality. I can guarantee you'll be dropped over Bulgaria in a cloth sack not a box,bring it I dare you.

Bulgarian men are losers my bf is from Iraq and I'm a Bulgarian woman. We go everywhere together in Sofia. I remember recently a Bulgarian man got in my face trashing my bf while we were out. My Iraqi bf beat him badly left him laying on the street he broke the Bulgarian man's face. To those Bulgarian men who think they're so tuff walk up to a middle eastern men and start talking trash I dare you. I had to stop my bf from beating that man to death, true.My Iraqi bf is extremely good in bed unlike any Bulgarian man I was ever with plus my Iraqi bf is huge below the waste knows how to use it well.

Ayo Afghani we will just kill you all If you set foot on our land and behave badly , even give wrong looks .. most of us will tear your heads off bare handedly . Don't mistake our kindness for weakness we killed lots of Arabs before check our history. Bulgarians we are born warriors . I don't care from where you from if you do evil here you will get super violated. And don't come with this manmade alla in the land of the true God Tangra, you are the infidel ... Don't mistake us for Western Europeans, theyou are soft . We are tuff maafakkas on a everyday level. OK? Shoo then ..

About the prices yes they are correct almost . You can get lower prices by walking around the small grocerie stores and small restaurants. Rent wise depends which neighborhood you want. It ranges from 400 to 2000 leva.
If you get around 2000 3000 leva you will be alright. Ideally you want 4000 5000 but hey we want that wage too. It's rarely. Average is 2000 levs. The minimal wage is 640 leva. People do survive with that money here so you make your judgments. As I said tuff people we are .
Hope that's helped.

To be fair I moved out of Greece because we literally don't have jobs at all. I spent several years in Poland, UK and Czech Republic and now from 2 years I'm in Sofia. Young Bulgarians have. A lot more opportunities than the young Greeks. It's full with jobs and if the wages are lower, comparing to the purchase power it is higher for the Bulgarians. However there is another picture and these are the gypsies and the older generations. They are living extremely poorly. I'm quite happy here and already told some friends who moved to Sofia and we enjoy the good nightlife.

I have to say here and now - I had a fantastic time in Bulgaria. I'm London Irish and I lived there three and a half years. I have to say it was a 'Blast'. I only left because of my health issues. Yes - the country - like all countries - has had/got it's problems. But when you see the trauma of their history and their economic situation - you have to wonder that the people are as friendly and as gracious as they are. The countryside is pristine - Not for nothing was it known as - 'Bulgaria the beautiful' - The prices are really reasonable - lots of the people speak perfect English. There is no problem getting round. Transport is efficient and cost effective. Their hotels are an absolute bargain by Western standards. Sofia, Varna and the other major Cities are packed with museums, concert halls, parks etc. The country is riddled with history and culture! Lots of Bulgarians are anxious to talk to you as so many of them have either worked in countries such as the US/UK or have relatives there. Bulgaria really is a "Great" country. It's people make it "Great". Whats more - it has a wonderful future! Make no mistake about that! My only regret is I'm not back there!

This page turned to a complaint box for some people. I know foreigners and I have been working with such for years and most of them do find the life here good. They work hard, earn quite well, have bulgarian friends and live a normal life. You wont' see them here commenting of course. Many people have had bad experience abroad but they don't bash the entire country or nation because of that. I have had bad experience in Spain, England, Greece and Germany but you won't see me bashing their countries and nations just because of that. I have seen many brits throw up or fighting next to me, yelling, screaming, ugly stuff, but you won't see me spreading BS on their page in Numbeo or generalizing the entire nation. As for the so called businessmen who bankrupted well it seems that you haven't planned or managed your business right, because business in Sofia is booming and many foreign companies are succeeding. Blaming the people for your failure is a cheap excuse. Grow up.

As a local, born and raised in Sofia, who has lived in 3 other countries, currently again in Sofia, Bulgaria, I feel at least a bit obliged to counter the nonsensical, hateful and totally biased opinions of the last (of course anonymous) users below. Not out of sense of pride, or something, but for the sheer purpose of giving some useful information for all who are interested in visiting or living in this city, coming from someone who knows more than enough about it and who is able to compare it with the rest of the world:
- Bulgaria is NOT the “most unhappy” country in the world. Check the last World Happiness report – we are pretty much in the middle. The negativity of Bulgarian people is mostly in the shape of skepticism and criticism and mostly directed against the government. Regarding the attitude towards foreign people, Bulgarians in general are very hospitable, interested, accepting and accommodating. Plus, Sofia is a capital of an EU country and is a part of a common civilizing, cultural and economic processes. When I walk the streets in the center quite often I hear more foreign speech (English, Spanish, Italian, French) than Bulgarian, because of all support jobs available here and all the tourists.
- “Rude” is a totally inappropriate term for Bulgarians. Call them “mildly sour” for their own reasons, but people are, at least the overwhelming majority, nice and very nonviolent. For example street violence, quite common in the most developed western countries, is very, very diminished in Sofia, almost nonexistent. It feels safe to walk the streets and it is safe.
- During my humble life I have witnessed a great improvement in peoples’ body odor in Sofia. The people (man+women) take a bath regularly and smell immaculately.
I can affirmatively say that as an expat in SOFIA you can live a pretty decent life, not just because of assumed good ratio between your salary and the prices, but mostly because of the attitude – there are great men and women who will appreciate you not just because of your qualities but additionally from the fact that you are foreign – it is still somehow exotic, unlike in the much more multicultural west. In other words, you can feel BIG in Sofia.
The digits here in Numbeo, are almost entirely correct.

We had similar experiences as you did with extremely rude people. We were thinking about buying a house in Bulgaria but we decided not to.We try to understand how many hardships Bulgarians have had but that was long ago.

Meal for 2 people in a mid-range restaurant for 29 Euro?! Multiply by 2 and you will get a good estimate. Same for most of the grocery prices if you want some decent quality.

Local cheese for 5 Euro/kg? This used to be 15 years ago. Currently, be ready to pay 10-12 Euro.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment: If you want a good location, 2000 Euro is the minimum.
Same for most of the other prices.

Numbeo figures are totally wrong.

Go to Sofia if you are on wellfare in the Netherlands or cannot do anything. Then you are better of here in Sofia.

American in Sofia, your comment is far far away from the truth. First - the most Bulgarian families in Sofia earn 2500-4000 bgn net, which is 1000-2500 USD net. The income you've mentioned is for not more than 10-15% of the families. I think, you live in your own world, but this is not the real situation in Sofia. The numbeo prices above are correct. And family with 2500 EUR net income can live comfortable life in Sofia.

If moving to Sofia alone with 2 kids, would life be possibly good and comfortable with 3000lv neto salary (1500eur netto) if living in city center in nice area? Possibility to set kid in international kindergarden, pay all bills and food as well as occasional traveling? It is difficult to compare salary in BG with other ER country (where i am now) but as my roots are from Balkan, and culture is similar, I'd like to consider the option? Thanks in advnace for the inputs

Hi,
You would be able to afford luxury with that income. A large flat in the center or house in the suburbs. Nothing under 100 square meters. Best childcare. I am not sure how it will match the child's language development.
I assume that you drive and have at least 1 car, so go for the suburbs. Less traffic, fewer people, more space. For 1500-2500 Euros you can get 200-400 square meters house. Please account for an additional expenses for a good lawyer and a security company (especially since you are going for business purposes). A relocation company is also an option, I still know the only the "consumer" market. They might offer a higher quality property that I can't even find.
After rent you are left with enough money to eat every meal in a high class restaurant, your child included :D.

Not every country is and could be rich as the ones in the West Europe or the ones in North America. According to your logic only 20-30 countries in the world are worth it, screw the rest. It's good to compare with the richest, but be real, different history, different situations, different development/progress, different rule, different systems through the years, there are many factors so every country has it's path, good or bad.

The comments here are awful, so I'm bumping this for anyone who cares. I've lived in Sofia for several years (coming from the U.S.) and can say that Bulgarians as a whole are quite kind, friendly, and dedicated. People will generally treat you with courtesy and respect if you are polite and respectful yourself. YOU SHOULD LEARN POLITE GREETINGS AND PHRASES IN BULGARIAN no matter if you're a tourist or intending to be here long-term - because it's the right thing to do, and people appreciate it greatly. That said, if you're in the city center, most people speak at a little English - or are willing to try to communicate, as a kindness. JUST DON'T BE A JERK.

As for cost of living - prices here are AVERAGES. They are accurate, but they don't take into consideration the fact that a lot of goods here (especially name-brands produced elsewhere) are actually inferior quality. You'll pay the same price OR MORE, for example, for a pair of Nikes, but they'll be super shitty compared to the "same" model sold in the US. Daily goods (groceries, toiletries, meals out) are affordable if you're coming from somewhere else - but out of reach for a lot of folks who actually live and work here.

Medical care is accessible and high-quality for preventative care and non-life-threatening issues. Don't get cancer here, or you're screwed. Hospitals just don't have access to the technology or the equipment you'd find in the States, UK, etc. But if you have a typical health challenge, the care is quite good. Doctors here also aren't focused only on prescriptions, because they aren't subsidized by pharmaceutical companies - which for me was a refreshing change.

As for economics and politics - the government here still has issues with corruption and Bulgarians understand it better than you ever will, so don't pretend to know anything about their political system. You don't. Most people are very disillusioned with the government, and for good reason - the difference between here and other places is that people here speak about it willingly and freely, and then carry on with life.

As for economics - if you're coming to Bulgaria from somewhere like UK or the States, you can leverage the differences in currency, and you'll find it very easy to establish a business here. Remember that typical salaries for most Bulgarians are low (around $1000 per month) and cost of living is comparably high (especially since most younger workers are supporting aging parents or grandparents who get very little in pensions or social security) - so if you're selling products or services TO BULGARIANS they need to be very cheap. People do not have lots of disposable income. Bulgaria doesn't need your b.s. - what they need are jobs. So if you're coming here to EMPLOY Bulgarians, pay them a decent living wage (at least $2400 month) and you'll find people are incredibly skilled, educated, qualified - and loyal. Bulgarians are also incredibly tech savvy, compared to the average Westerner - and technology is a quickly growing industry here. Don't expect to pay people peanuts and get gratitude, though - people here are proud and hard-working and they know what they are worth.

Basically, show up politely and with the perspective you know nothing, be willing to help and contribute to the lives of people around you - and actually walk the talk - and you'll find you're warmly welcomed and accepted. If you can't do that? Don't bother to come, because Bulgaria doesn't need you.