Moving to your new Bulgarian property and making it home
One of the reasons Bulgarian property is such good value is that the country remains slightly off the beaten track. Although tourist numbers are growing, Bulgaria is still largely unexplored, and as a place to set up home it is virtually uncharted territory! Yet that is what many Brits are now doing, sometimes without finding out what living in Bulgaria will really be like. It is a wonderful country, but there are things you need to know if you wish to settle down happily in your new Bulgarian home.
Living in Bulgaria - finding work and unemployment
After buying a Bulgarian home you are determined to start a new life in Bulgaria. What else do you need to know about living in Bulgaria?
All buyers of Bulgarian property need to know about visas, legislation and documentation. This is the case whether you plan on living in your new Bulgarian home or are buying Bulgarian property only for investment purposes.
If you need to work to support your new life in your Bulgarian property, you should try to find employment before you travel. Finding work in Bulgaria can be difficult and there may not be many work opportunities in the area you want to buy your Bulgarian home.
You will not have any automatic right to benefit payments from the state when you first start living in Bulgaria. You need to know what to do should you become unemployed while in Bulgaria.
Living in Bulgaria - education, health and pensions
If you will be moving with children to your Bulgarian home, their schooling is an important consideration. Learn as much as you can about education in Bulgaria before committing to buying Bulgarian property.
The Bulgarian health care system is not on a par with the NHS. Foreigners living in Bulgaria have to pay more for non-emergency treatment than locals. You should be fully conversant with your entitlements and cover before moving to your new Bulgarian home, particularly if you have any special medical requirements.
Make the most of your twilight years in your Bulgarian home. Be wary not to follow the mistakes made by some retirees buying overseas property, where their pensions have been eaten up by tax. Let retiring in Bulgaria be your gift to yourself for all those years of hard work.
Living in Bulgaria - getting your belongings to Bulgaria, moving in and getting connected
You have brought the perfect Bulgarian home. What else do you need to know about relocating to Bulgaria? Getting yourself and your belongings to the door of your Bulgarian property will be a good start! Whether you tackle the long drive in a van, or hand the job to a professional removal company or shipping firm, donīt forget the rest of the family.
As elsewhere, access to water and electricity is essential for everyday living in Bulgaria! Gas is a still a newcomer but is available in some areas. Utilities in Bulgaria operate differently to the UK. Before buying Bulgarian property you should know about the procedure for getting your Bulgarian home connected. Try to get this done soon after buying your Bulgarian home, so that it is organised before you move in.
Living in Bulgaria - business and tax
A large number of ex-pats plan to start their own business after they have settled into their Bulgarian home. Some buy a business at the same time as they buy their Bulgarian property. Buying a business in Bulgaria is a major commitment and requires careful consideration.
Unfortunately, the low cost of living in Bulgaria does not mean you can forget about taxes! Anyone looking at buying Bulgarian property should familiarise themselves with Bulgariaīs tax legislation to protect themselves and their Bulgarian home.
