Cost of Living in Sofia

Hi Rajesh,
D.D. is right in general but a little bit overracting. Sofia is becomming a better place and you'll be having a nice life with this salary. Bulgaria may be poor compared to Western-European countries but it's still an european country. Private schools are indeed expensive, like 600-800 euro per month, just checked a few. It really depends on what options you have. Compared to India it could be better indeed, compared to Western-Europe of course it's worse in most things.

If I was you, I'll send the kids to a normal Bulgarian government school, which is free of charge. They are small and will adapt quite fast. Maybe you can hire a private teacher to teach them the language even pre-school. Learning Bulgarian will make them (and you) feel much more comfortable here since the cultural difference is huge. Only with English you'll have big difficulties living here.

D.D. I think air pollution is same like India. But water is good and availabilty is well. Here in India getting water is a big trouble.

My only worry is my kids education and its cost. Do you know about education in Sofia. i saw in some websites government schools education in Bulgarian language. If we want English school we have to pay a lot.

SO if my wife also go for a job in admin level we can manage right?

You told that the whole state force is being controlled by the mafia. Can you pls. explain little bit detailed.

D.D. I am into Information Technology. As a Sr. Developer demandware.

Hi i am planning to settle in sofia i got a offer letter from a Bulgarian company net salary is 5600 lev.

we are a couple with 2 kids ages are 6 & 3. Can you suggest this salary is enough to survive in sofia where i am leaving from Chennai india.

A friend works for the taxation department for the Bulgarian government.After reading your message here I called my friend.He said the information I read is true.I own a small custom shoe shop in Sofia.I'm going to close my shoe shop and sell it next month after I finish the orders of shoes for my customers.Theres no way I can be profitable paying a 23% flat tax.Thank you for the information I really appreciate it.I own a small commercial building downtown in Bucharest and I'll open there in August.

# D.D. The breeding process has been ongoing in Germany, Sweden, France, and other areas repeatedly over the past three years including Spain and Portugal.Women are bread by 50 Afghanistan men within a 24 hour period to share our precious seed Alla has blessed.Alla likes a controlled environment we obey Allas wishes always.The offspring will enhance our bloodline and broaden Allas mission.To subdue infadels into Allas likeness.Do not dispair little one Alla cares for all.

To D.D. Calm down little one we don't come through your border want your money.Your president Boyko sold Bulgarians out.Alla will make your life complete.You will service Afganistanis bow to Alla and show respect to Alla.Alla has no borders payment has been made 54,000 Afganistainis are already in remote small towns in Bulgaria.Your soldiers have been paid well Alla always provides.Afganistainis know much work needs to be done but Alla guides us to heal stricken Bulgarians who've lost their way in life.Bulgarians will obey Alla just as Germany,Switzerland,and other countries in Europe have obeyed the wisdom of Alla.Your border gate was open for us and Alla was welcomed by your own people.Prepare to obey Alla,and obey Afganistanis every wish and desire.Infadels comit no sins by not understanding Alla with Allas help we teach infadels just like you the way to your future.Alla cares for all little one, even you.

Very interesting when some foreign "investors" come to Bulgaria. Mostly, they assume the Bulgarians will work for free and the market has an unlimited number of slaves to offer.
When f.e. the average Bulgarian employer in that specific sector offers 600 Lev, the so called "investor" offers 700 Lev and claims that he is offering a "great" salary. At the same time, he starts selling his crap at a more expensive price than in Western Europe and at a significant lower quality. And of course, when he starts facing difficulties, the nasty and unfriendly Bulgarians are the main reason for this.

If you are one of those, please go away, we don't need you here!

Hello everyone, please help to understand how to use these figures.

It is said here that "Four-person family monthly costs": 3,084.31 lev without rent (using our estimator).

Does it mean that this amount doesn't include also Kindergarden and School for Kids, Utilities, Mobile and Internet costs?

Hey Das 308 I read the post below about the Australian couple that was planning on opening two manufacturing companies with great wages in Bulgaria.I suppose you think you can speak for Bulgarians like myself that'd love a job that pays that much? Well you can't speak for any Bulgarian so keep your trolling self in Russia where it belongs.NOTE: To the Australian couple we hope you'll still consider Bulgaria for your manufacturing companies because Das 308 cannot speak for any Bulgarian.

@anonimous, April 25, 2019

Dear anonymous, Bulgarians clearly did not like you. It happens. Often with a reason. Be happy in Australia. Try to make friends there. Best, another Anonymous.

Dear Johnny Bee, if you are coming from a country where people are rude, you will find that Bulgarians are worst. Or, if your countrymen are polite, you will find that Bulgarians are more so. That said, please stop with the cheap trolling. U r getting credit for that but I t’s really boring. Best regards to you & the poor Russian girl & the offended anonymous couple.

P.S. The data published by Numbeo about Bulgaria are correct.

# JOHNNY BEE Why concern yourself with bulgarias economy?I read you visited 20 years ago.Bulgaria really has never been considered an economic factor in anything throughout it's history.Besides Bulgaria is at the bottom of the list of places to vacation.

This site is bloating net salaries misleading people and leading them to wrong/damaging decisions. Also, some of my comments,hmm how to say it, have mysteriously disappeared?

TO #D I live in Manchester and after reading your rendition of costs according to your misinformation I must say that I agree with Anonymous and the other chap Johnny Bee.I was lucky to sell my second home in Italy before the fallout came along.I agree with them on all levels of economic disasters that has befallen Europe in general.The Euro instrument isn't at fault as both so plainly stated,but instead the beast that controls it HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE amoung other rogues within the mix.Instead of calling names TROLLS you should listen to voices of knowledge instead of spinning your brand of trivial persuits out of control with falsehoods that actually make no sense at all.

Furthermore another mistake #D

Bulgaria unfortunately is extremely expensive for locals EXACTLY because of the rubbish salaries, (280 euros for the minimal) not because of the expensive NIKE or ADIDAS that you don't have to buy after all (you will survive without them, trust me)

Unfortunately it's extremely cheap for foreigners, to the point that I would prefer double prices at the moment, something I hated when i visited this country 20 years ago. But of course EU (sorry i meant Holy Roman Empire) doesn't allow that, it's against the jungle laws (sorry, i meant competition)

The Uk restricted BG/ROM workers for many years
BG Government is not defending Bulgraia against hordes of Middle class Brits who make price damping explosive because of the obvious price difference in the two countries.
On the contrary it promotes, advertises and encourages retiring in BG, instead of promoting demographic regeneration. BG is collapsing at the moment. Fast!

And since when has avocado become a unit of PPP?

@Anonymous the difference between your commend and mine is that my comment is full of facts based on research and on living life in Sofia, compared to 3+ years of living abroad. Yours is purely in opinion and pseudo-facts. Go get educated and do argue with a person if you don’t have a reasonable argument.

Bulgarians continue to slam their fingers in the door and they side with the Bulgarian governments approach.There's alot of countries doing that though.I'm not PRO any country including the country I'm from.Many people use the term it's POLITICAL,but reality being it's the opposite.It's each countries responsibility to create their own economies whether it's good or bad.People like to test the waters, so to speak and live in other countries to experience different cultures but it rarely works out,and although visitors or people who live in other countries for a prolonged period of time would never admit it openly deep down they regret their decision to live abroad.Many people want to see how life is in other parts of the world and to some that may be curiosity or a country being pumped up as a great place.But at the end of the day or life the countries they came from are where they fit into.If I had my way nobody would visit anyone in any country because history has shown that other cultures don't mix well no matter how hard they try.Polution, costs of living,no country is balanced, there's always cons to be considered but many ignore the cons.All they know is they're in a new place that's foreign to them.Maybe it's exciting to live or visit a new place they're unfamiliar with.Many people call it adventurous but it's stupidity on their part no matter what part of the world they come from. I'm not from the U S nor have I ever visited either but I'll say one thing for certain.The U S is rapidly closing the door on the world and in the not too distant future nobody will even be allowed to visit or live there for that matter.I believe that's a step in the right direction, and other countries should pay attention, to repeat the same, PEACE ON EARTH

Well folks, as you can see there are people in this world with ... well let's be politically correct , with issues.

I totally agree most Bulgarians have an arrogant way about them naturally.I attended college in Sofia for one year.All I mostly heard was how Russia rescued Bulgarians from the Ottoman yoke. I noticed Bulgarians for the most part are very unhappy and hold a grudge against anyone who doesn't agree with them even if they know what they're saying isn't true.My parents visited me for two weeks while I attended college in Sofia.They asked what's wrong with these people? Everyone is so negative they said.Bulgaria has the fastest shrinking population in the world.Maybe just maybe some Bulgarians woke up and decided they've had enough too.FYI visitors and foreigners had nothing to do with the past Ottoman yoke.

@irina and joh and other cave trolls. Dear trolls, long term rent of a studio or one room apartment does not exceed 600-700lev, furnished. The heating may add 100 more in the winter season. This is easily verifiable on sites like imot.bg and airbnb. When you close a rental contract, it clearly states what you get and what not.

The long chimney in Nadezhda belongs to the central heating company and works on natural gas only. Therefore it delivers the cleanest energy ever possible. No fumes, aerosols, ufp, whatsoever.

Please go to troll somewhere else.

P.S. People are usually behave like mirror. If you go bad on them they will answer bad on you. Please be polite with the locals that you are meeting here. Do not expect royalty treatment just because you have funny accent or you know some English only. We (the Sofians) are tired of hoards of drunk foreigners that are flooding the downtown streets almost every weekend, particularly penniless Italians and drunkard Englishmen.

Well, just for a few days a few folks came up all of the sudden generalizing that the bulgarians are rude and acting bad towards them for no valid reason, just like that. A couple being treated bad in three big cities just like that for no valid reason, a russian girl who decided to study in Sofia, because it'd be cool. A small apartment for 1200 lv would be luxery and honestly not many russians can afford that. In fact if a russian can afford an apartment that costs more than their average salary then that russian would not pick Sofia as a place for study, nor it'll quit studying just, because someone messed up the heating in the apartment. You see how ridiculous this story sounds? And a third guy just generalizing with percentages just like that a city of 2 million of people, like he knows most of them.

I won't be surprised if these comments are posted by one single person, who for some reason has had a bad experience in Bulgaria and is trying to discredit the country even more, because he doesn't have nothing better to do :)

For months and for years people in this site are discussing opportunities, salaries, job offers, prices and all of the sudden just for a few days 3 guys with similar style of writing come up with their complaint about rudeness. Coincidence?

Hi I'm Irina from Russia.I had the opportunity to attend college in Sofia and I thought this would be a great chance for me to experience something different in life.My college term was going to be for two years but I left three months after I enrolled for this reason.I met the rudest people I've ever met in my life in Sofia.I stayed in a very small apartment which cost me 1,200 Lev each month with all utilities included.It was winter my heat turned off.I asked other tenants in the building how they are coping with no heat? They said there's good heat to their apartments as I found out while inside of one.I confronted the landlord about it.He said he turned off the heating vent to my apartment intentionally.I boarded a plane within four hours and never looked back at Sofia.

People from three different big cities were rude to you for no valid reason, just like that? Sounds strange, you are probably doing something wrong, but of course, as most people you don't see any fault in yourself. I know foreigners living in Bulgaria who were doing okay and had no problems.

My wife and I decided to live in Bulgaria for three years at different locations in Bulgaria.We are both Australians.Our first year we lived in Sofia.We understand that different countries have different customs and we're not judgemental not negative and we're always respectful.We knew that Sofia was a busy city before we moved there.Both of us can speak and understand a fair amount of Bulgarian.Unfortunately the majority of people went out of their way to be rude to us for no reasons throughout our one year living in Sofia.The second year we moved to Varna and lived there for one year.Sadly we received the same treatment as Sofia.We then moved to Plovdiv and stayed there one year.Once again sadly the same treatment we received without reasons.Its sad to know that the majority of Bulgarians are basically mean spirited to all foreigners who visit.We don't hate anyone but hatred directed at us was over the top during our stay in Bulgaria.

In my opinion salaries for these type of positions should be between 1500 and 2500 leva net, depending on the experience and the firm.

Yeah, for sure. I already did it,@edin.

But it´s hard to find any information about salaries. And yeah, there are some job offers on these fields for Germans.

Hi Edin,

but I am foccused on jobs like "Content writer", "Copywriter", "Digital Marketing Manager" and so on.

Do you know salaries for German speakers in these field for Bulgaria? It´s very difficult to find any information in the internet..

Hi guys,

currently I am doing an internship and studying Russian (First language) and English (Second language) both included Business communication. The quality of internship is really good here.
My education background is Accounting and Finance. I´ve already worked for 2,5 years in these field as an Back Office Manger Specialist.

I come from Germany, but want to live in Bulgaria after internship (prefarable in Sofia). I mean only as native speaker I could find easily an Call Center job with 2000 net. But I do not want in these field.

Ok, the other option would be Back Office again. Maybe. Why not? As I saw the salary depends on company and duties. But it´s realistic to say, that I would earn between 1500 - 2000 Leva net. The last one would be ok, but I prefer to earn at least 1800 leva net..

As I noticed in Sofia there are lof of IT companies and Social Media is getting more attractive. So, I decided to work on these field maybe. Currently I have been learning needful IT-Tools such as HTML5, CSS, Photoshop, GoogleAdWords, GoogleAutomation, SEO, maybe some Java basics (but I am not an Informatic!).

Do somebody know about the salaries for jobs like "SEO specialist", "Technical writer", "Social Media Analyst", "Social Media manager"? I did a research on my onw, used some different sources but was not able find some clearly information. Please not, that I have not any (professional) working experience yet

But

Hi everyone, could anyone please tell me ASAP (as I will have to make a decision based on what I am asking really soon) their experience as customer service for PaySafe in Sofia in terms of salary gross and net/ month? And in terms of whether it is advisable to plan to live in Sofia for at least a few years relying on that salary?

Thank you very much to anyone who's taking a little time to answer this!

Sorry but the prices in android version are incorrect for SOFIA BULGARIA
This is your computer windows version
Buy Apartment Price [ Edit ]
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 1,369.47 €
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 931.07 €

This is your android version for my phone
This is incorect
Price per Square FEET to Buy Apartment in City Centre 127,23 €
Price per Square FEET to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 86.50 €

Hi, have someone experience with technical help desk jobs (native speaker) ? Is it worth the money (1800-2500 bgn) ?
I can imagine that customer service jobs are hard in terms of mental health, but maybe it´s not that bad in some good companies.
Thanks for advice.

To JR:
Hopefully you mean Net salary and not gross. Anyway, 3000 BGN net is a very good salary for the Bulgarian standards. If you mean 2500 gross, then you will end-up with 1900 net, which is still 50% above average.
The cost:
- You can rent a 70-80 sqm flat (not house!!!) for 700 BGN. For Utilities plan 150-200 BGN more. Food for 2 can be around 1000-1200 BGN if you cook and don't go out that often. If you buy an old car, it will be still within the budget I hope.

As you see, even with a salary of 2,5 times the average, people cannot really afford that much. Prices in Sofia are exploding and groceries are more expensive than in Western Europe. Today I was comparing the prices at LIDL in Sofia and in Stuttgart. More than 50% of the goods are 20% and more expensive in Sofia, the others have the same price. Only some local vegetables are cheaper. Restaurants are still around 25-50% cheaper in Sofia, but the gap is closing quite fast.

Hi Ali Amini

Yes that could be enough for a starting business, but if you are not aware of the market, the economy, the society then most probably you'll fail.

There are tons of restaurants and cofee shops in the city already so that would be a hard field to be competitive in, unless you bring a great idea with you. I've noticed that businesses related to construction, transportation, cars and children (kindergarten,etc) are doing well.

I advise you to research the market first.

@Dr D, don't be so pessimistic, dude. You're exaggerating way too much, and most of the things you said are actually not true. There's a lot of BS in the media that you shouldn't pay attention to. Instead, you should do your own research and make up your own opinions instead of believing what the media and some people tell you. It's not that bad around here. ;)

@Shannon:
Very difficult to answer such question.
- What is for you a typical home? What price range? Can vary between 50k-300k Euro.
- How much equity do you have?
- Which duration? 5 years? 10 years? 30 years?
Interest range is currently 4%-5%. Just take Excel and calculate depending on your criteria.

@Jancany: What is the exact job position? What are your skills/experience level?
Maybe we can take a closer look and tell you if the offer is fair or not.

I can hardly imagine somebody willing to move to Sofia and being motivated by such an offer. Where do you come from?

Hello. I have an offer 1660BGN gross. Isnt it possible to live in Sofia? I am single and i can share the apartment with a homemate.

As i searched for the expenses, the most expensive points are rent fees. Many says that a person would need 400euro for living and 300euro for rent. I like the job it is good for self development and experience but what about the life?

#Luc Vanden Broek
I'm native Sofian, but I don't live there for the last 9 years. Still I keep contact with family and friends and have a decent knowledge on the current situation. If it's not too late I am happy to answer.
About 700 levs for a 2-room/3-room 80ish sqm apartment you can get in almost any part of the city, except the downtown districts. I don't know tho how are the expenses on electricity/ water supply etc, but overall if you can cover up to 900 levs it should be enough.
Now I suggest you NOT to rent in zone Ovcha Kupel, as some others that I'll list. They are just underdeveloped districts of the city that even I wouldn't recommend. Natives are fine there, but as a foreigner renting, I could imagine you can have problems with the locals. So do avoid all the nord districts, but "Oborishte", "Reduta" and "Geo Milev", which are fine. The southeast districts are good, they are also connected to the downtown with the underground train. "Vitosha" district is acceptable, but I wouldn't recommend and the furthest decent south district to the west, which is also fine is "Krasno Selo".
So I pretty much covored the zones, where up to 900 levs should be enough.
As long as the other expenses you listed, I'm not sure about the university taxes, you should check that out twice, because as far as I know, foreign students pay way higher university tuitions.
Overall with 2700, you both should be having enough money for the month, not to think twice if you can afford something.(like going to restaurants, etc)
Have a nice time in Sofia and I hope I helped a bit.

Hi All,

We need some feedback about Trakia University for Vet Science at Stara Zagora.
We are planning to get our son enrolled to the University as an International student.
What would be the cost of living for a student out there and most important of all, is it safe??

Hello, i'm reading some messages here.. I can tell you, i live in Sofia, and with my 2000 leva salary, is a realy good life in here. Yes the health care is sucks, en corruption and fraud on a high level. But don't try it as foreigner, they will arrest you.
If someone have som questions, let me know. With 2000 leva is realy good life.

Hello Vlad :-)
Thanks for your help !

I suppose, the universities have their own Mensa restaurants where students can take their meals on cheap prices ?
About myself : what is cheaper : cooking by myself, streetfood, cafes ? about the supermarkets : are there real Bulgarian supermarkets there (not Billa, Lidl etc...) ? Or just bulgarian markets with fresh vegetables, fruit and so ? Your advices ?

To other guests on this site : your experiences ?
Thanks for any information !

Piotr: Most of the Bulgarians must live with 1000 BGN or less and you will have 2000 BGN. This will make you part of the top 20% I'd say. But look at my comment below. If you are OK with all these negative points, then you'll have a great life in Sofia. Otherwise, don't even consider coming here, you will regret it.

Welcome to Bulgaria
- Lowerst prices in EU and lowest quality of goods at the same time
- Highest corruption in EU, political mafia is leading the country
- Almost non-existent healthcare
- Corrupt and ineffective justice system
- Sofia=Dirtiest city in Europa with most polluted air
- Outside of Sofia, everything is dead. Whole villages are dissapearing.The growing gipsy minority is destroying the remainings
- Almost all young and educated bulgarians have left the country. A demographic catastrophe is very near.

Luc Vanden Broek - Yes you are realistic. The average for 70m2 appartment is around 600-700 lv. Obcha Kupel is not the best district in Sofia so it might be even cheaper. 200 leva are enough for utilities even during the winter. During the summer you will need less than a 100.

Hello to all :-)

I am single and have 1 son
we want to live in Sofia starting November 2018
My son will study at university there

A. I have a Belgian pension of 1350 € netto monthly (about 2700 Lv)and social security can be transferred to National Insurance Bulgaria

minus cost of a credit in Germany monthly 223 €
only till about april 2019
minus insurance costs 25,- €
minus University costs/Month : 100,- €

Makes monthly about 1000 € = 1960 Lv TILL April 2019

B. From april 2019 : 1323 €

- University costs/Month : 100,- €
- Insurance costs : 25,-
Makes monthly about 1200,- € = 2400,- Lv

Question : can I afford
an appartment (Living room/sleeping room/another small room/balcony/about 70 m2) in zone Ovcha Kupel?
I plan a rent of about 700,-Lv + utilities 200,- Lv

AM I REALISTIC ?
Really thankful for all Advises from your side !!!

Luc

@IKS: 37.000 BGN Gross p.A. will be net 1.259 Euro p.M. (2.462 BGN).
This is comparable to 2.200 Euro net in Western Europe (see my calculations below).
If your husband earns another 1000-1500 Euro, you can live very good. Only with your salary, it will be sufficient but you cannot afford any luxury.

Hello, I have been offered a role for 37,000 Leva brut per annum. I would like to kniw if I would be able toblive well in Sofia with this wage.... Knowing that I will be with my husband (looking for a job).