Bulgaria (BG)
Bulgaria is the oldest state in Europe (founded 681 AD), a member of the European Union since 2007, and one of the most affordable countries for expats in the EU.
Capital: Sofia
Region: Europe
Language: Bulgarian
Currency: BGN (лв)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 37)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Bulgaria — 2026 data in BGN.
37
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Bread (500g loaf) 1.20–1.80 BGN
Milk (1L) 2.00–2.50 BGN
Eggs (10 pcs) 3.50–5.00 BGN
Chicken breast (1kg) 8–12 BGN
Pork (1kg) 10–15 BGN
Rice (1kg) 2.00–3.50 BGN
Pasta (500g) 1.50–2.50 BGN
Tomatoes (1kg, seasonal) 1.50–3.00 BGN
Potatoes (1kg) 1.00–2.00 BGN
Cheese — sirene (1kg) 8–14 BGN
Yogurt (400g) 1.50–2.50 BGN
Butter (250g) 4.50–7.00 BGN
Coffee (250g ground) 6–12 BGN
Domestic beer (0.5L bottle) 1.80–2.50 BGN
Wine (domestic table wine, 0.75L) 6–15 BGN
Dining Out
Espresso / coffee in a café 1.80–2.80 BGN
Beer in a bar (0.5L) 3–5 BGN
Lunch menu (soup + main) in local restaurant 8–15 BGN
Banitsa (pastry) + coffee breakfast 4–7 BGN
Döner kebab / fast food meal 6–10 BGN
Dinner for two with wine (mid-range restaurant) 50–90 BGN
Pizza (mid-range restaurant) 15–25 BGN
Fine dining dinner for two 120–250 BGN
McDonald's Big Mac meal 15–18 BGN
Rent
Studio / 1-bedroom apartment, city centre 700–1,200 BGN
2-bedroom apartment, city centre 1,100–1,800 BGN
3-bedroom apartment, city centre 1,500–2,800 BGN
1-bedroom apartment, suburbs 500–800 BGN
2-bedroom apartment, suburbs 700–1,200 BGN
Room in shared flat 350–600 BGN
Furnished studio, Plovdiv city centre 500–750 BGN
Furnished studio, Varna city centre 550–900 BGN
Villa outside Sofia (monthly) 800–1,500 BGN
Utilities
Electricity (60m² apartment) 50–100 BGN
Central heating (toplo, winter month) 80–180 BGN
Water (2-person household) 20–40 BGN
Internet (fiber, 200Mbps+) 25–40 BGN
Mobile (data + calls, 20GB) 15–30 BGN
Transport
Single public transport ticket (Sofia) 1.60 BGN
Monthly public transport card (Sofia) 55 BGN
Taxi (per km, Sofia) 0.79–1.20 BGN
Bolt / ride-hailing (5km trip in Sofia) 5–9 BGN
Motorway vignette (annual) 97 BGN
Petrol (unleaded 95, per litre) 2.40–2.60 BGN
Diesel (per litre) 2.30–2.50 BGN
Bus Sofia–Plovdiv (one way) 12–18 BGN
Train Sofia–Sofia Airport (Metro) 1.60 BGN
Health & Insurance
GP visit (with NHIF insurance) 2.90 BGN copay
Specialist consultation (with referral + NHIF) 2.90 BGN copay
Private GP visit (without insurance) 50–100 BGN
Private specialist (without insurance) 80–200 BGN
Dental checkup (private) 40–80 BGN
Dental filling (private) 80–150 BGN
Blood test (basic panel, private lab) 30–60 BGN
Prescription medicine (average copay with NHIF) 5–20 BGN
Leisure
Gym membership (basic) 30–50 BGN/month
Gym membership (premium) 60–120 BGN/month
Cinema ticket 12–18 BGN
Theatre ticket (Sofia National Theatre) 15–35 BGN
Ski day pass — Bansko 90–130 BGN
Ski day pass — Borovets 65–90 BGN
Museum entry (Sofia National History Museum) 10 BGN
Haircut (men) 12–25 BGN
Haircut and blowdry (women) 30–60 BGN
Yoga class 15–25 BGN
Childcare
Municipal nursery (ясла) 80–150 BGN/month
Private nursery 600–1,200 BGN/month
State kindergarten 80–180 BGN/month
Private bilingual kindergarten 800–1,500 BGN/month
International school (Anglo-American) 2,000–3,000 BGN/month
Private tutoring (per hour) 30–60 BGN
Bulgarian language course (per month) 250–500 BGN
Cost of Living
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