Living In Bulgaria Local Laws and Possible Concerns

Living in Bulgaria and enjoying its breathtaking countryside, picturesque cities and incredible sea and mountainside resorts is a dream come true for many.  With housing prices still at a fraction of the cost of buying in the UK, expatriates of all ages are making their way to Bulgaria.

Living in Bulgaria is generally described as an incredible experience by expats, from the very young to the older and retired.  This country is considered home to some of the world’s most friendly and welcoming people.  Whilst the charm level is high here, there are some things both the British government and other expats have to say by way of warnings.  in this article we’ll explore some of the rules of the road of living in Bulgaria including local laws and possible concerns.

Bulgaria has a lot to offer, but it is not all wine and roses!  Expats who are aware of some of the potential pitfalls are often a whole lot better off.  Some of the points the British government and current expats make about living in Bulgaria include: -

Understand the potential for scams.  On average Bulgarians do not make a whole lot of money.  Therefore there is often concern that two sets of prices are charged for everything – one for Bulgarians and one for everyone else.  Whilst a lot of expats say they have seen no evidence of this, others say they have.  There are also some reports about taxi drivers pumping up fares and other shady practices.  Be wary, agree upon prices in advance and do not accept anything less than fair treatment and avoiding these issues is generally possible.

Crime.  On the whole crime in Bulgaria is very petty in nature.  There are some issues with organised crime in the bigger cities’ nightclubs and casinos, but violent crime is quite rare.  Do watch out for pickpockets in tourist areas though.  These are generally children and young people who target busy city centres, shopping areas and resorts.

Language barrier.  Many government officials and police officers do not speak English.  Be prepared for this if a problem does arise.  Having a basic grasp of the language or at least important phrases can be very important.

Driving.  Driving in Bulgaria does come with a lot of toll charges and the potential to run into very bad stretches of road.  Vehicles should be kept in good working order and driving at night can be particularly dangerous in certain areas where lighting is poor and road conditions are worse.

Breaking the law.  Whilst this is not a concern to most expats, some might need to know that crime and punishment are taken pretty seriously here.  All drug and sex-related crimes are considered quite severe here.  Also, punishment for bawdy, drunken and wild behaviour is much more harsh than in the UK.  Maintaining a sense of decorum in public is a very good idea.

Living in Bulgaria is generally described as a dream come true.  If local laws, customs and quirks are heeded, it can also be a smooth adventure.