Why Bulgaria?
First time visitors to Bulgaria are often surprised by its diversity and stunning natural beauty. Of the country’s rich and unspoilt flora and fauna Bulgaria is ecologically one of the most unspoilt countries in Europe.
Recent television coverage in the UK and now that Bulgaria has joined the EU has increased the interest in Bulgaria considerably. It is at the moment the fastest growing tourist destination in Europe.
The Bulgarian property market has already made impressive gains in the last couple of years with an average 2004 increase of 23-50%, some areas
‘Low property prices, beautiful countryside, historic towns and unchanged rural traditions. The cost of living is also surprisingly low  The food is good and a meal out costs around Ј5, a beer 50p, and coffee 15p.

How do I travel to Bulgaria?
There are direct international flights from most UK airports available to Sofia and Varna all year round, with a number of airlines and direct charter flights to the Black Sea Bourgas and Varna which are available during the spring and summer months. With the interest that has been shown in Bulgaria over the last couple of years, low cost airlines are expected to introduce regular scheduled flights there in the very  near future. Wizz Air have announced flights starting from May 2006 from Luton to Bourgas.

How long does it take to get there?
Direct flights to Sofia or the resorts of Bourgas and Varna are a short direct flight from most UK airports of only 3 hours

What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is said to have one of the lowest costs of living in Europe. A  meal for 2 including wine will rarely exceed around Ј7.00 . The cost of a 10 minute journey in a taxi will only be about Ј1.00 Cigarettes cost just 35p per packet wine about Ј1

What is the weather like in Bulgaria?
It is on the same latitude as northern Italy and Spain so has a very pleasant Mediterranean climate during the summer months The seasons are  very diverse with something for everyone to enjoy from ski resorts located in the beautiful Pirin, Rila and Rodopi Mountains in the winter months to miles of unspoint beaches and safe non-tital bathing on the coast during the summer.


Do they speak English?
Many people speak English in the major cities and  resorts  and the majority of Bulgarians speak English as their second language.

Will I feel welcome in Bulgaria?
Britain is the major contributor to the booming tourist economy and English is the first foreign language spoken, so you will be very pleasantly surprised about the welcome and service afforded you by the Bulgarian people. They want you to keep coming back .

Is it safe?
The crime rate is very low and statistics compare very favourably with all other European holiday destinations.

Is it clean and does it have proper sanitation?
Bulgaria is a modern European country, it has major cities and resorts where the facilities are as good as anywhere in Europe, yet not over developed. Just a few miles in to the countryside and you find yourself going back in time and you will see many farmers riding their cart to market and goat herders tending their flock.

Will my phone work in Bulgaria?
Yes, all mobile networks are supported. If you go on a regular basis it is a lot cheaper to buy a local sim card

What are property prices like in Bulgaria?
The property prices in Bulgaria are considerably lower than those elsewhere in Europe. A brand new apartment right on the sea front in a popular holiday town can currently be purchased for around Ј30,000 GBP with rural properties selling for even less. Buying property in Bulgaria is also a great investment as prices are steadily increasing and are set to go up considerably when Bulgaria joins the EU.

What kinds of property are on the market?
We have a wide variety of properties available from seaside to mountain to city apartments. Old, new , off plan and renovation projects.

Is it secure politically and what are the long term economic prospects?
Bulgaria ceased being a communist country in 1989, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Since then wide sweeping reforms have taken place. Already a full member of NATO, Bulgaria has been invited to join the EU in 2007. It is a fast growing market economy. The country is best known as a tourist destination for both summer and winter holiday makers and for its wine making.

Infrastructure?
The European Union is currently investing millions of pounds to help improve Bulgaria’s infrastructure (this is very visible on the Black Sea Coast where the main Coastal road is being widened and re-surfaced to provide better access for the expected development of holiday properties).

Do UK citizens need visas and how long can we stay?
British passport holders are automatically entitled to a month’s stay in Bulgaria (free of charge).  The Bulgarian Embassy in London will provide you will comprehensive information on visas and residency permits. You can contact them on 0207 584 9400 or visit their website www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk
As a British national you may enter Bulgaria as a tourist without a visa for up to thirty days. You must register with the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. If you are in a hotel or on a package holiday, this will be done for you. If you are staying in a private house, you will need to do it yourself. Failure to do so may result in a fine for your host family. You may be able to extend your stay in Bulgaria beyond 30 days by applying at the local passport office. However, switching "status" is no longer allowed. For example, if you enter as a visitor then decide to establish a business here, or stay on a more permanent basis, you will have to go back to London and apply for the appropriate entry clearance at the Bulgarian Embassy.
IMPORTANT: With effect from 1 January 2006, all children entering Bulgaria will need to have their own passport. Children included in their parents' passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph. Upon entry into Bulgaria, foreigners should declare in writing the purpose of their stay and the address at which they are staying. To this end they should fill in a registration form.

Is There a Time Difference
Winter time: GMT +2 hours (October through March).
Summer time: GMT +3 hours (April through September)

What is the Voltage?
220 V only you will need a two pin adapter

Monetary Units?
lev. Banknote denominations include 1,00, 2,00, 5,00, 10,00, 20,00, 50,00 and 100,00 leva, as well as coins of 1,00 smaller denominations.Most property transactions are done in euro's the Leva is pegged to the Leva

Currency Exchange
In banks and 24-hour change bureaux. When using Change bureaux take extra attention as to the rates offered  The exchange rate is announced ever

Working Hours?
offices - 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
banks - 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
shops - 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm. (Monday to Friday, Saturday until noon)

Important Telephone Numbers
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Road assistance - 146

Transport
public transport
- in big cities: trams, trolley-buses, buses
- elsewhere: buses
- inter-city transport: plane, train, coach
taxi (When using taxi's  get a price before getting in)
rent-a-car: AVIS, Hertz, Intertel, Europcar, Budget and International Car Rental in Sofia, the country's big cities and resorts

Local laws and customs
Currency regulations are strict. If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of Leva 5000 (about  Ј2500) or more, you must declare it to customs officials (ie the red channel at the port of entry). If you do not, the money could be confiscated, and you may possibly be detained and charged.

Visa etc
As a British national you may enter Bulgaria as a tourist without a visa for up to 90 days. You must register with the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. If you are in a hotel or on a package holiday, this will be done for you. If you are staying in a private house, you will need to do it yourself. Failure to do so may result in a fine for your host family.
With effect from 1 January 2006, all children entering Bulgaria will need to have their own passport. Children included in their parents' passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph. Upon entry into Bulgaria, foreigners should declare in writing the purpose of their stay and the address at which they are staying. To this end they should fill in a registration form.

Health
British nationals are entitled to free state medical treatment in Bulgaria. (This excludes private treatment.) However, we still recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance, which includes medevac to the UK if necessary. This will ensure that you are covered for all eventualities. Facilities in most Bulgarian hospitals are basic and old-fashioned compared to those in the UK. Standards of medical care are acceptable, but specialised equipment/treatment may not be available.