Cost of Living in Sofia

Aleko, pay attention to measure units. Square meter vs square feet

Hi Ivan,

It really depends on the company, there are good and not so good, but overall helpdesk technician is a temporary job for no more than a few years until you gain more experience, knowledge and find something better. As for the salary, 1800-2500 sounds good, you won't have any problems if you're single.

Wjim,

Studentski grad isn't the best place to live in Sofia, but it's ok. You haven't mentioned any price. Check in homes.bg or imoti.info

Hi every one
I will buy an appartement 28 m2 in sofia Studentski grad. Is it a good price?
Thanks

Hello all, I am waiting an offer from a company in Sofia and probably they will offer me around 2500 to 3000lv. will it be a good amount to leave my country and to start a life here with mi wife? is this amount good to pay rent and regular expenses like food, cloths, fun, also to buy everything for the house. eventually to purchase a car, could be a second hand one.

Hi.
I have plan move to Sofia and make my business .
I can bring about 30000€ at first time . Please tell me can I do anything with this money or not ?!
I am civil eng and i have restaurant too .

Thank you for your replies guys. I prefer not to expose the details about me cuz the company indicated this site hence they can read my messages lol. But i can say it is an outsourcing/It firm and i'll be coming from Turkey. Working conditions are charming and it's a beautiful multicultural environment. On the other hand there will be promotion prospects. I know the salary amount is not perfect but other conditions captivated me. Dr D it will be specialist position. By the way i have already exposed myself i think :) Again thank you guys for the informations.

Could someone please tell me what the average payment (to pay off a mortgage) in Euros is per month for a typical home? I just need a general range. I have been looking everywhere and cannot find an answer. If you know, please email me at: smckayyy@gmail.com

Hi Jancany. That's a decent salary, about 1250-1300 net. If you really like the job and if there's opportunity to learn and develop then it's okay for you. Overall with that salary you may have a decent life, but don't expect luxary.
If you live alone you'll pay about 300-400 lv for rent, 100 for Utilities, 50-100 for transportation, about 500 for food and you'll have 200-300lv left for fun, clothing, etc. It's not much, but if you're not very pretentious you'll be fine.

Stara Zagora:
Like everywhere outside of Sofia, prices for accomodation are around 50% of the Sofia level. The food cost is the same at shops, restaurants are 10-20% cheaper.
In general, for a single person, I would say 400-500 Euro (800-1000 BGN) would be comfortable (most of the bulgarians live on 600 BGN and make it somehow). Be sure to have a proper private health isnurance since the state one is useless.

Security: Gypsies are a huge problem. Avoid the "Losenets" district. Otherwise, I would say as a smaller town, it is safer than Sofia.

I didn't know much about the Trakia university, but I read a few forums about it. In general it's an avarege university, but the medical facultry especially the Vet program is their best when it comes to quality. I don't know anything about their program in english, but if you're willing to learn anything, if you know english well, if you don't have more money and better options then go for it. Stara Zagora s a nice and quiet 100k people city - park, zoo, restaurants, football team in the A group, etc. Excluding the university taxes about 500 euro should be enough for a normal living - apartment, bills, food, fun, etc.

***In response to Dr D***. Sure there are lots of problems in the country, but you're being way too pessimistic. Healthcare is not that good, but not terrible. There are still very good specialists and not only in the private sector. You present the police like they're asking for bribes on every corner, it's not like that. I and most of my friends have not been involved in any kind of corruption. The state might be corrupted, but same applies for most states, politicians, just on a different level. I don't see how a corrupted politician should interest a foreigner. Sofia is indeed dirty sometimes, but that's because of the bad infrastructure in some districts. Traffic is not bad compared to other big cities in Europe. The countryside is depopulated and gypsies are arriving indeed, but partially that's natural - bulgarians move to the big cities and abroad and gypsies are moving from the villages to the small towns. I don't like it either but this happens almost everywhere nowadays. I don't agree that the food is worse here, people who have been in England or USA for example will tell you the opposite. Of course you have to be picky when it comes to food, same applies for everywhere. Don't be that pessimistic man.

@Luc Vanden Broek

Hello Luc,

I think you are paying too much attention to some details which are actually not that important. With your income level of around 2000-2400 BGN, you and your son will be quite OK. You don't need to think about food cost or accomodation. The bigger problems you will encounter are:

- Terrible healthcare. Be prepared to pay an expensive private insurance if you expect a decent service. The situation in the state healthcare institutions is catasrophic. The best doctors are leaving the country for better paid jobs in Western Europe.
- Non-Existent law-enforcement. Street crime in Sofia is actually lower than in Brussels for example. The biggest problems are the corruption and fraud at the highest level - state force is basically led by the mafia. Institutions, police, politic- and justice systems - everything.
- Sofia is extremely dirty, esp. the air is highly polluted. Traffic is a nightmare. Infrastructure is in a very poor condition, despite the statements of the prime minister that "HE" is doing so much for the country.
- People: Bulgaria has lot of high potentials, which all left the country. Very few of them are still there. The demographic situation is highly concerning. Outside of Sofia, the country is basically dead. The so called "small town" is disappearing very fast. In most of the villages, you will encounter only few old people over 80. Soon, the gipsy minorities will occupy them completely.
- Quality of goods and services. Yes, you pay less, but you also receive less. Don't think you will get same cheese, beef or beer like in Belgium for 1/2 of the price.

If you are OK with those points, you will be just fine in Sofia.

Hi, is it possible for one person to live in Sofia for 2500 BGN gross?

hey guys i have a job offer for 1000 eur netto is it enough to have decent life ?

In 2018 the real reality in BG is the following :

- 550€ average gross salary in country
- at least 1000€ average gross in Sofia
Wages are growing double digit every year and will certainly continue like this in the next 3-5 years easily in all the country under the pressure of a very low unemployment rate, big investments in many sectors (IT, outsourcing, car industry, tourism, real estate, manufacturing etc etc).
This with: Income and corporate taxes @ 10%! Lowest prices in EU.. Thus, purchasing power is not bad and continue growing. BG is actually booming!

Hello All,

Prices on pretty much everything in Bulgaria are catching up to the average prices in the rest of Europe. And rather quickly. Maybe in the next 5 years they would be there. Wages are growing at a 10% clip annually for the past 3-4 years and would continue to do so this year and next because of combination of economic growth and labor shortage. This time though, unlike the hot foreign money that caused the economic boom of 2007-2008, the economic growth is fundamentally much more sustainable. Those of you expats who have gotten jobs in Bulgaria are more than welcome but should not expect to have a much higher living standards than what you're having living in your native countries. I am not mentioning figures for comparison because it's pointless and insignificant. Overall, it would be a great experience for you while bringing new thinking and work ethic to the country. Enjoy the nature, the good food and beautiful women. Likelihood is, if you stay for a year, you would stay for 10 years.

@IKS: 3000 lev/month (gross) is a good salary for Bulgaria. You can easily live from it; many Bulgarians live from a significantly lower income. Generally, 1000-2000 lev/month (net) is considerend a sufficient to good salary in Bulgaria, anything more is more than good :).

Don't get too confused by some of the irrational comments here.

@Günther: I was talking about net of course, not about gross.
But let's see the gross numbers:

7.000 Euro Gross in Germany with tax class 1 (singles) means exactly 3.925 EURO net. See one of the online calculators.
5.000 BGN Gross in Bulgaria means 4.187 BGN net or 2.140 Euro net.
On top of this, in Germany one can deduct lot of expenses from the tax and these 3.925 are really worst case scenario. I was having a similar salary and after the tax declaration was able to take back 3.000 Euro per year. In Bulgaria, there is no chance to do this. In Germany, you have (still) a good health insurance and a pension included. And if you are married or have kids, the taxes get reduced lot more.

@Choco: you're forgetting one very important factor: taxes. Healthcare isn't 'free' in Germany, it's funded by taxes :). The highest tax rate in Germany is 45%, excluding Solidaritätszuschlag, Kirchensteuer, etc. So if you make 7.000 euro per month in Germany, you will pay somewhere around 50% of it in taxes.

If you, however, make 5.000 BGN in Bulgaria, you will pay around 16% in taxes.

So, your calculations again:

Germany: 7000 - 3500 (taxes) - 900 (rent) - 800 (cost of living) = 1.800 euro
Bulgaria: 5000 BGN = 2500 euro. 2500 - 400 (taxes) - 300 (rent) - 400 (cost of living) = 1.400 euro

Look at that: quite similar, isn't it :).

By the way, cars are cheaper in Bulgaria than in Germany. Again, mostly because of taxes. Same is true for gasoline.

So yes, 5.000 BGN gross in Bulgaria is about the same as 7.000 euro gross in Germany.

Considering that the prime minister of the Bulgaria earns about 5000lv net this means that what you were offered it is indeed a top salary. Are there better paid devs? Probably, but most are earning below that, so 5k net is considered excelent. You would have the standard of living as if you are earning 7-8000 euro in Germany for example, due to the low prices of rent, groceries, restaurant, etc, etc.

Depends how much experience you have but generally Java devs are paid more. Regardless 5000 net is very good salary for Sofia.

Hm, prices for food 2 times lower than in Western countries? Yes, but only at restaurants. At supermarkets, prices are the same (or even higher) if you consider also some basic quality standards.
I came back from Germany to Sofia last week and I can fairly compare.
For example:
- Gouda Cheese Aldi Frankfurt: 4,50 Euro KG. Cheapest Kashkaval in Sofia Fantastiko: 12 Lev (palm oil and no milk at all) and 18 Lev for a comparable quality with the German Gouda.
- Bio Milk: 1,09 Euro at Aldi Germany. Normal (no Bio lower quality Milk): 2,20 Lev in Sofia
- 1 Milka Chockolate: 75 Cent in Germany, 2 Lev in Sofia
- 1 Beer Krombacher: 79 Cent in Germany, 2,50 Lev in Bulgaria. A low quality Bulgarian Beer:1,50 Lev
- Beef: I got Rib-Eye steaks for 18 Euro/KG in Germany and for 30 Lev in Sofia. The German was far better.

So where is the cheaper food? I don't see it.

Ovidiu: 1956 BGN Gross=1525.56 BGN Net=780 Euro Net.

For the pure rent you should consider around 5 Euro/sqm (considering you want to live in one of the better districts). For utilities (heating, electricity, internet, phone) additional 100 Euro. For transportation, consider 25 Euro p.M. These will be your basic cost. So let's see:

Salary: +780
Rent: -300 (assuming 60 sqm for a 2 room flat)
Utilities: -100
Monthly Pass:-25

Remains: 355 Euro. From these, you should cover food, clothing, healthcare, vacation, car, pension etc.
Not that good, isn't it? Esp. because:
- Food at supermarkets is not cheaper than in western europe and has lower quality. For goood quality imported goods, you need to pay more than in Germany.
- Restaurants are cheaper compared to rest of Europe, but with 350 Euro you cannot afford that much from them either. A single basic lunch will cost around 10 BGN, but if you want something better and include the drinks, you can easilly get at 30-40 BGN.
- Healthcare is a disaster in Bulgaria. You need to pay bribes in cash even at state hospitals to get any reasonable treatment. The state health insurance is wortless. Private clinics are better, but can be quite expensive.
- Pension: Again, the state pension is a joke. You need to provide from your net salary in a private fund, otherwise you can end up with a state pension of 200-300 Euro.
- What about a car?
- Vacation?

So, think again if this is a good offer.

Sorry guys... I'm here in Sofia from 2013... They price have increased, that is true but with 2000 net lv you will have a really good life :) , of course of you have bad habit or you wanna go out all nights, that won't be possible.
The only problem at the moment are the rent on the 2013 it was around 450lv for a 85sqm apartment, now it's around 650/700. Btw I have a salary around 3k net, living with my wife and 3 kids with no issues at all!!

Whatever other people said so far is not reflecting the reality

Anna:
Yes, you pay your bills and live in a shared flat. For 1.800 BGN quite possible. But:

- Can you afford an own flat in a good district and pay a 1.500 BGN mortgage for the credit (or save at least 200.000 BGN to buy one with cash)?
- Can you buy a new car for 50.000-60.000 BGN?
- How often do you eat dinner in a good restaurant? Can you let's say drop 100 BGN in a nigth club for a nice evening withouth thinking about the money all the time?
- You say you travel abroad: Can you afford to pay 4000-5000 BGN for a 2 weeks journey to a more exotic destination or for a ski vacation in Austria/Switzerland etc.?

These are normal things which each well educated working person and european with a good job and qualification should be able to afford.

Again: 1.800 BGN are just 900 Euro! And this is under the social minimum for Europe, regardless if we talk about London or Sofia.

@Samuel: 2.374 BGN gross means 1.851,58 BGN net (check for example the calculator on http://www.pariteni.bg/?tid=20&oid=600 ). This is exactly 946,70 EUR net (FX: 1,95583) and not 1008 EUR!!!
In 2018, it will be even less since the social expences are expected to be higher.
The job as a help desk call center agent is not easy. They will totally enslave you with very long shifts and uncompetent managers.

For this money, your life in Sofia will not be great. You will cover your basic needs, but will not be able to buy any luxury goods at all. Sofia is not much cheaper than Spain and the quality of food and services is worse. Don't beleive Eurostat or any other fake statistics.

"...the prices in Bulgaria are pretty much the same as those in Germany, divided by 2..."

Such kind of information is totally wrong and misleading. Prices are currently exploding, esp. if you buy products with minimal quality standards. Just some examples:

1) Local Cheese: Yes, you can find cheese for 8 lev/kg. But this cheese does not contain milk and is made from palm oil and the water part is over 50%. Quality bulgarian white cheese costs around 13-15 lev/kg. The bulgarian gouda cheese (kashkaval) costs 18-20 lev/kg (good quality). For comparison: 1 kg Gouda at REWE in Germany costs around 4,5 Euro/KG and is much much better.

2) Beer: The bulgarian-made beer is just ethanol, water, flavors and preservatives. This including the beers produced by license: Stella, Becks, Amstel, Tuborg etc. Such a beer costs around 1,20-1,60 lev /0,60-0,80 cent. In Germany, at ALDI you can buy a no-name beer for 29 cent, which is 1000% better. A real good german beer (original Krombacher or Becks etc.) can be bought for 79 cent in Germany. An imported Krombacher costs in Bulgaria 2,40 lev/1,20 Euro.

3) Milk: In Germany, for 1 Euro you get 1L Bio Milk. In Bulgaria, for 2 lev you get no name product with low quality.

4) Butter: Deutsche Markenbutter 250g - 1,99 Euro at REWE Germany, 5,80 lev at Fantastiko Sofia.

Dan, with 400 euro after rent you will have more than decent life in Sofia. In fact your standard of living might increase and you can eat out and party every day. You will probably be the richest student in your social circle. The prices being divided by two is mostly true, but there are exceptions. For example eating out, street food and cafes are more than 2 times cheaper in Sofia, but supermarket prices are sometimes just slightly cheaper than the likes of Aldi/Lidl/Penny in Germany. Also alcohol is much cheaper. Btw I live in Nuremberg so I can compare the prices relatively good. As for the driving license part I don't think you can just take the driving exam but you can sign up for a driving course in Sofia. There are theory tests in English( idk if there are in German) and the course itself is like 8-10 times cheaper than in Germany - about 300-350 euro. The price is also often negotiable depending on how much hours you want to take.

Dan, the prices in Bulgaria are pretty much the same as those in Germany, devided by 2. So if you can live with 800 euro in Germany, you can live with 400 euro in Bulgaria. It wont be a decent live though, not at all. As for the driving license, i think you can do the driving test in English, not sure in Deutsch, but maybe you can. But it takes time even if you already know how to drive. The good think is you can always pay to get your license easier. :) You know, the corruption is everywhere in Bulgaria. Have a nice stay!

Deepak, I live in Rousse and I Can tell you 8000€ is very, very good offer.

I am offered a job of 8000 euros, is it gud for living in Ruse with my wife and 6 year old son

Currently, salaries of 6.000 BGN net and above are becoming more and more common. Especially in the IT-Industry, but also for Finance Experts. Mid-level Management can go up to 10k gross. So don't sell yourself below value.
With 1.000 BGN you will live like an animal and will cover only your basic needs.

Normally white bread is 700g, not 500 and doeasnt coast more then 0.90/1 lev
just saying...

for 1 person living alone - 800 leva is normal and many people will say - perfect.

Hi to all foreigners in Bulgaria.
I am writing to you just to clarify the situation with the salaries.
I am Bulgarian from Sofia and I worked at the biggest companies in BPO sector.
The salary was 600-750 euros net or 1200-1500 lv.net.
In my last job I received 1000 euros net salary or 1900 lv.
I can tell that some salaries mentioned here 2200-2500lv for work as a slave in call centres are more than good for the standard of living in Bulgaria.
Yes it is dependes on you live style and your vices!!
Do not think this money will be paid for nothing!!!
Please know that the amounts mentioned are more that good comparing with another countries in Europe.
I recommend you to get know with our country and language before starting your life here.
It will be great to speak or try to understang the local language and to travel around the country.
Most of the young peolpe speak English but for sure use some dictionary with Bulgarian words and espressions.
At the begging can be hard for you: new country,life, cuisine,etc.
Bulgaria is good for foreingers for working and living in good / acceptable conditions.
If you do not like the country or the conditions you feelfree to chose Sofia Airport for you next step.

Hello
I just got a job offer from Telus to work as a game support agent in my native language. From what they told me, the net salary will be arpund 650€ +100€ of rent allowance. They said that they have free gyms, health insurance and stuff. But , and even after reading the comments here I am not really sure. Anyone would like to give me the feedback regarding the jib/company/salary?
And what about the city? How clean/calm/safe is it? I know it has a lot of beautiful monuments, but how good is life in it? What about the public transportation?

Public transportation is BGN 1,60 for a single ride. When you change from one tram to a bus, or another tram or trolley or Metro, you will have to pay again.
Fines are BGN 40,00 (and there is control very frequently).
A carnet of 10 rides is BGN 12,00
A day-ticket for unlimited transportation on all buses, trams, metros and trolley buses are only BGN 4,00.

to AT
Yes, quarter means a district of the city. The HRC Culinary Academy is located exactly in the City Center near the National Palace of Culture. You can search for apartments in the city center or in the Southern and Eastern parts of the city. Lozenetz is the nearest, but expensive district, then any of these could be also ok - Strelbishte, Hipodruma,Beli brezi, etc. You can use trams, buses, metro, trolleybuses almost any kind of public transport available, to get there.

really?

I've heard that the salary is very low in Sofia, but for2200 BGN would be great...

Many Thanks anyway #Andrea

Hi Guys,

I got a offer from a company in Sofia,
I would like to know if it a good offer, I am married.

Starting salary: 2200 BGN gross

Relocation assistance: Accommodation for the 1st month + 300 BGN gross from the 2nd month; reimbursement of flight ticket up to 150 Euro gross ( see also the file attached)

Monthly income: 2500 BGN gross ( salary+relocation bonus) approx 2000 BGN net ( 1000 Euro net)

Social benefits: Food vouchers-60 BGN per month /30 Euro per month; Additional Health Insurance; Sport activities; Training and development programs ( for further information see the file attached)

Many Thanks in advanced

I am crying, can't believe this stupid country pays foreigners such a great salaries. Locals are lucky if they have 300-400 euros a month for a salary. Officially on the news said: More the half of bulgarians work abroad, so they can survive and provide for their families. I hate you Bulgaria!

And almost everyone less than 35 years old speaks English here in Sofia.

Juan Pablo, i wouldnt be in sofia on 1500 lev a month, not with the price increases that happen each year.

Hello everyone,
I've been offered a job in the customer service with native speaker skills.

I've been offered 950€ gross per month. it should be 745€ net. plus 25€ net of travel card, 770€ net.
According to today rate should be 1854BGN gross, 1454BGN net. plus 50BGN of travel card, 1500BGN net.

Summing up: 950€ gross, 745 € net. (770€ net with travel allowance)
1850 BGN gross, 1450 BGN net (1500 BGN with travel allowance)

Consider that my basic need is a single bedroom apartment to live alone, a monthly subscription at the gym. Workplace is on line 1 of metro.

In your opinions, how should I handle it in Sofia with that amount?

Thank you.

There's a web site called bgrabotodatel.com which basically means bgemployer. There are many reviews and opinions about many employers in it but only in bulgarian language unfortunately. You can use the google translator to read some of them. About CMSG people are devided, there are mixed opinions. It's definitely not the best place to work at, probably an average one. As for Sofia, it's a relatvely safe place if you avoid the ghetos, especially at night.

@Kubilay

1500lv gross (1150net) is the absolute minimum that you should ask for. About 2000lv gross would be good deal, anything above that would be considered great.

@Alexandra

You'll be able to cope with just english, but have in mind that in general the employees in the supermarkets do not speak english, otherwise they would have found better jobs for at least twice the salary. But I don't think that english is generally needed at such places, everything is displayed, shown and computerized. Most young people do know english, it may not be perfect but they'll help you with directions for sure. Taxi drivers do not speak english in general but if you just tell them the address they'll take you there. Be careful not to take taxis that are more expensive than 0.80-1.00lv per km. See their price tags on the front window before taking it. Do not be naive like some foreigners. There's a subway which you can use, it's new and cheap. People with perfect english you can find among students, IT specialists, at the Business park, some clubs, internet forums, facebook groups, other foreigners, etc.

Hi. This is a veeery useful website, cheers to whoever made!
Thank you for all the information about rent and expenses but I had another question that so far I see it wasn't addressed. I am a foreigner so I do not speak the language. I am assuming it will take me quite some time to learn it. Will I be able to get along with just english? From going to the supermarket and asking about the fruit section to being able to ask for directions on the street? How about if I needed to find a team of 10 people with perfect english/accent? Would that be an easy task?

Thanks!

Within a few minutes I've found a few nice furnished 2 bedroom apartments in districts not far from The Business park in Mladost or close to the city center for approximately 150 euro per month - Mladost, Darvenitsa, Lozenets, Pavlovo,Lagera, Buckstone, etc. So yes, it's possible. For 250-300 euro you should expect luxury. And you'll need 600-800lv for food if you're eating in restaurants all the time.

I am earning about 2100 gross which is 1700 net, so you'll get around 1750 net. This would be more than enough to handle. The rent for a nice 2 bedroom apartment would be 350-400, 50-100 for home bills, 50-100 for transport and 300-400 for food and drinks. So you'll spend around 60% of your salary for basic living needs, the rest is for you to save or spend for whatever you want to.

Hello Amelie,

I live in Sofia for 1100 BGN so you should be fine with 1800 BGN net or gross by the way?

Besides your employer who is helping for the rent, you should definitively be fine in downtown, and far better if you live outside of centre.

I work in the IT field. Indeed the 1st line technicians earn about 1200-1400lv net but you're a foreigner and a native speaker I presume, so your salary should be at least 2000lv net. The tax for the salary they told you (2800) should be no more than 600lv, which means that after tax it'd be around 2200, as the previous guy said. Don't know why they've told you 1400, you better ask what's the catch with that, because 1400lv net for a native speaker in the IT sounds offensive.