Moving to Bulgaria in 2026

Moving to Bulgaria: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens need a visa: a Schengen visa for a trip and a national visa D for a move, obtained at a Bulgarian consulate before entry. With it you apply for residence at the migration directorate in Bulgaria. You cannot apply for residence as a tourist, so choose the ground and gather documents in advance.

1. Before the trip. Choose the ground: remote work, pension, property purchase, employment or business. Certificates with apostilles, translations by a translator accredited with the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, insurance, a lease and the visa D.
2. Days 1-5. Address registration, a Bulgarian SIM card, a bank account.
3. Days 5-30. Apply for long-term residence at the migration directorate and give fingerprints.
4. Days 30-120. Review takes 14 to 60 days, up to 120 in complex cases, then the card and a foreigner's personal number for taxes, banking and doctors.

Rents in Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas are noticeably lower than in Sofia. A family budget depends on its size and the residence ground; we calculate it in the chat. Dollars at the Google rate of 17.10.2026, rounded up.

Bulgaria at a glance

Bulgaria is a European Union country in south-eastern Europe on the Black Sea with a population of about 6.4 million. Since 1 January 2025 it has been a full Schengen member, and on 1 January 2026 it adopted the euro. The capital is Sofia at the foot of Mount Vitosha, and other large cities are Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. Bulgarian is close to Russian and written in Cyrillic, which makes the move easier for Russian speakers than in most European Union countries.

Bulgaria attracts with the European Union's lowest taxes - 10% on income and profit - inexpensive living, the sea and mountains, and descendants of Bulgarians have a path to citizenship by origin.

History and government

The First Bulgarian Empire emerged in 681, and in the 14th century the country came under Ottoman rule for almost five hundred years. Liberation came after the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878, and full independence in 1908. After the Second World War Bulgaria was a socialist republic; in 1990 it moved to multi-party democracy, joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. Today it is a parliamentary republic with a president and a government formed by parliament.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens need a visa: a Schengen visa for trips and a national long-stay visa for moving, with which they apply for residence. Processing takes 14 to 60 days, up to 120 in complex cases, and a one-year permit costs about $290 (256 euros). After five years you can obtain permanent residence. More on the pages Bulgaria residence permit and Bulgarian citizenship by origin.

Taxes

Income tax is a flat 10%, and tax residents pay it on worldwide income. Dividends are taxed at 5%, and interest on European Union bank deposits is exempt. Corporate tax is 10%, one of the lowest in the European Union, and VAT is 20%. Freelancers deduct 25% of income as standard expenses, so the real burden is below the rate. Employees pay contributions of about 13.8% of salary. The annual return is due by 30 April. More on the page Taxes in Bulgaria.

Property

Citizens from outside the European Union can buy apartments and houses in Bulgaria, but not the land beneath them directly: a house with a plot is usually bought through a Bulgarian company that the foreigner fully owns. A notary executes the deal, the title is registered, the purchase tax depends on the municipality, and the annual property tax is small. Prices on the coast and in the ski resort of Bansko are lower than in neighbouring Greece, while Sofia prices are rising fastest. Before buying, check the title, the occupancy permit and any service charge debts in the complex.

Business and companies

A limited liability company is registered in the commercial register, and a foreigner can own it fully. Corporate tax of 10% and dividend tax of 5% make Bulgaria one of the most attractive European Union countries for small businesses. VAT registration is mandatory at a turnover of $58,000 (51,130 euros) a year. Strong sectors are IT, outsourcing, multilingual customer service, tourism and logistics.

Cost of living

Prices reflect the Sofia market in 2026, with dollars at the Google rate of 17.10.2026, rounded up. One person lives comfortably in Sofia on about $1,700-2,500 (1,500-2,200 euros) a month including rent. Rent in Plovdiv and Varna is noticeably cheaper.

Where to live

• Sofia - the capital with the widest choice of jobs, international schools and services. More in the Sofia guide.
• Plovdiv - a calm city with an old town and low prices.
• Varna and Burgas - Black Sea cities with beaches, ports and airports.
• Bansko - a ski town popular with remote workers.
• Coastal resorts - Sveti Vlas, Sozopol and Nessebar for life by the sea.

Practicalities

• Climate. Continental: around zero with snow in winter, 25-30 degrees in summer, milder by the sea.
• Language. Bulgarian, close to Russian; English is spoken in Sofia and resorts.
• Money. The euro since 2026, cards accepted almost everywhere.
• Healthcare. Public insurance through contributions, and private clinics are inexpensive by European standards.
• Transport. Metro in Sofia, intercity buses and trains, and a car is handy for trips around the country.

Leisure

Bulgaria packs sea and mountains into a small territory: Black Sea beaches, the ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes, Plovdiv's old town and wine regions. From Sofia you can reach Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia in a couple of hours.

Who Bulgaria suits

Bulgaria suits remote workers and entrepreneurs who want to live in the European Union and Schengen with a 10% tax, retirees with a modest pension and descendants of Bulgarians who have a path to European Union citizenship by origin. Those who value mild winters and clean air all year should consider the coast rather than Sofia. Murblz specialists choose the basis, arrange the visa and residence, register the company and help with housing. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.