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
Premium
Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's professional service sector is developing rapidly, especially in Sofia. Prices are significantly lower than in Western Europe. The key challenge for expats is the language barrier — almost all professional services operate in Bulgarian, and finding English-speaking professionals requires effort. Facebook expat groups ("Sofia Expats", "Expats in Bulgaria") are invaluable for personal recommendations. Always get a written quote before engaging any service. Cash payments are still common in many service sectors, though electronic payments are increasingly accepted.
Language options: English is spoken by younger professionals in major cities, especially in IT, finance, and international firms. German, French, and Russian also have some coverage. For government interactions and legal processes, Bulgarian is required — a professional intermediary or certified interpreter is strongly recommended for non-Bulgarian speakers. Some Sofia law firms, accounting offices, and medical centres have dedicated English-language service. Expat-oriented services explicitly advertising English support exist in Sofia, Plovdiv, and major Black Sea cities.
Immigration Lawyer (Адвокат по имиграционно право)
150–400 BGN/hour. Full residence permit application assistance: 500–1,500 BGN. Company formation package: 400–800 BGN. How to find: Sofia Bar Association directory (sak.bg). Expat Facebook groups ("Sofia Expats", "Living in Bulgaria") regularly recommend specific immigration lawyers. Many law firms in Sofia specialise in immigration and have English-speaking attorneys.
Sofia Bar Association (Софийска адвокатска колегия)Bulgarian Bar Association (Висш адвокатски съвет)
💡 Immigration law is complex in Bulgarian — even EU citizens benefit from professional guidance for initial registration. Non-EU citizens should always use a qualified immigration lawyer. Ask specifically about experience with your nationality and permit type.
Accountant / Tax Advisor (Счетоводител)
Monthly accounting for EOOD: 150–400 BGN/month. Annual tax return for individual: 100–250 BGN. VAT filing: 50–150 BGN/month. How to find: Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Bulgaria (ICPA — Институт на дипломираните експерт-счетоводители). Referrals via expat groups or business associations. Many accounting firms in Sofia have English-speaking staff.
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ИДЕС)Bulgarian Accountants Association
💡 An accountant (счетоводител) is essential for anyone running a Bulgarian company. The tax system is straightforward (flat 10%) but compliance rules, NRA reporting requirements, and social insurance calculations require professional knowledge. Monthly accounting fees in Bulgaria are very affordable by European standards.
Notary (Нотариус)
Notary fees are set by law based on transaction value. For a 100,000 BGN property: ~350–500 BGN. Company document notarisation: 50–150 BGN. Power of attorney: 20–50 BGN. How to find: Notary Chamber of Bulgaria (notarius.bg) — searchable directory by district. Notaries in Bulgaria are district-specific for property transactions.
Bulgarian Notary Chamber (Нотариална камара на България)
💡 All property purchase contracts must be executed before a notary in Bulgaria. The notary verifies title, checks for encumbrances, and files with the Property Registry. Choose a notary familiar with international transactions if you are a foreign buyer.
Real Estate Agent (Брокер на недвижими имоти)
Commission: typically 3% from buyer + 3% from seller (negotiable). Some agents charge 1.5% each. No legal fee cap — negotiate before signing. How to find: National Real Estate Association (НСНИ). Platforms: imot.bg, address.bg, homes.bg. Expat recommendations via Facebook groups.
💡 Bulgarian real estate commissions are lower than in many EU countries. Always get a written agency agreement before showing properties. Verify the agent is licensed with НСНИ. For property purchase, always use a notary and conduct an independent property register search (справка в Имотен регистър).
Employment lawyer (Адвокат по трудово право)
200–600 BGN/hour (senior employment lawyers). Employment contract review: 300–800 BGN. Tribunal representation: 2,000–8,000 BGN+. How to find: Sofia Bar Association (sak.bg) or Bulgarian Bar Association. State Inspectorate on Labour (IAT — iat.government.bg) provides free workplace rights investigations. Expat Facebook groups ("Sofia Expats", "Expats in Bulgaria") for English-speaking employment lawyers.
Sofia Bar Association (sak.bg)State Inspectorate on Labour (iat.government.bg)
💡 File a complaint with the State Inspectorate on Labour (IAT) before engaging a private lawyer — free investigations and employer compliance orders are available. For unfair dismissal or unpaid wages, act within 3 months. NSSI (social security) issues can compound employment problems — consult an employment lawyer if facing related complications.
Translation Service (Преводаческа агенция)
30–60 BGN per standard page (certified translation). Urgent: 50–100 BGN/page. Interpretation: 150–400 BGN/hour. How to find: Certified translators list at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.bg). Many translation agencies in Sofia with same-day service.
💡 For official documents, only "certified" (заклет) translators are accepted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a list of authorised translators. Translations for visa/immigration purposes must be certified by a sworn translator. Major translation agencies: Mega Consulting, Transexpert Sofia.
Insurance broker (Застрахователен брокер)
Commission-based — no direct fee for personal policies. Health insurance supplement: 500–2,500 BGN/year. Comprehensive international expat health: €800–2,500/year. How to find: Financial Supervision Commission (FSC — fsc.bg) register of licensed insurance intermediaries. Major insurers: Generali Bulgaria, Allianz Bulgaria, Bulstrad, OZK Insurance, Uniqa. Comparison sites: ibroker.bg, profirma.bg. For international expat health insurance: Pacific Cross, William Russell, Cigna, AXA.
FSC (Комисия за финансов надзор — fsc.bg)
💡 Key insurances for expats in Bulgaria: health insurance supplement (public system has significant gaps), home/renters contents insurance, and motor insurance (задължителна застраховка — mandatory third-party). FSC verifies all licensed brokers and insurers. For expats wanting international-standard health coverage beyond the Bulgarian public system, use an international broker comparing multiple plans.
Relocation/Concierge Service
Package services: 500–3,000 BGN for full relocation support (address registration, bank account, EGN, utilities setup). How to find: Expat Facebook groups, AmCham Bulgaria member companies. Services: Interplan, Living in Sofia, Sofia Concierge.
💡 Recommended for non-EU arrivals and those who don't speak Bulgarian. A relocation service can significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden. They accompany you to government offices and translate in real time.
Professional Services
Unlock the complete Professional Services guide for Bulgaria — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere