Located in South Eastern Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Greece
and Turkey to the South, Romania to the North and Macedonia
and Serbia to the West. Its Eastern Border is formed by the
beautiful Black Sea Coast. A country of outstanding natural
beauty the environment remains unspoilt and is incredibly varied.
A relatively small country, a few hours drive will take you
from the snow covered central Pirin mountain Ranges to the
long sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast.
Forming the heart of several of ancient histories greatest civilizations Bulgaria's rich culture is reflected in a vast number of architectural treasures. Only Greece and Italy have a greater number of historical monuments. Throughout the country you will find ancient Greek sites, Roman amphitheatres and Byzantine churches. The country is home to 160 monasteries, 36 cultural centres and 40,000 listed archaeological monuments. Seven sites have achieved a coveted place on the UNESCO world heritage list.
What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?Bulgaria is said to have one of the lowest costs of living in Europe and property in Bulgaria is affordable too. A wonderful meal for 2 including wine will rarely exceed around £7.00 GBP. The cost of a 10 minute journey in a taxi will only be about £1.00 GBP. Cigarettes cost just 40p per packet and a day out in a museum or the theatre will cost just a couple of pounds. A quality beer will cost 25p!
Quality of life
First time visitors to Bulgaria are surprised by its diversity and its stunning natural beauty. For years a real effort has been made to preserve the country's rich and unspoilt flora and fauna. As a result, Bulgaria is ecologically one of the purest countries in Europe, with exceptionally clear air and water resources. There are 7 national parks, more than 3000 protected natural sites and 17 bio-spherical reserves (the greatest recorded number in Europe). There are also 419 protected animal species and 63 protected types of plant.
The Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria (Map)
The 380 kilometres of beaches are amongst some of Europe's cleanest and safest. Many of them have been awarded prestigious “Blue Flag” status. The region enjoys average summer temperatures of between 25-30 degrees. The season extends from April to October. Coupled with the renowned low cost of living it is easy to see why the Black Sea coast provides and an ideal summer destination – and is surprisingly easy to access from an ever increasing number of European Airports.
Even though the Black Sea coast is an established tourist area, with resorts such as Sunny Beach attracting tourists since the late 1950's, it has recently become one of the fastest growing summer tourist destinations in Europe. So fast growing in fact that last year demands for tourist beds outstripped supply by 20%!
Bulgaria is said to be the fastest growing holiday destination for 2004 and at least 200,000 Britons were likely to visit the summer resorts this year - nearly double last year's total. Next year three new major UK tour operators will also be offering summer holidays in Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian winter resorts (Map)
Modern Borovets is one of the largest and increasingly popular winter resorts in the Balkan region. It is situated on scenic northern slopes of the Mousala Ridge in the east of the panoramic Rila Mountains. The resort lies huddled in thick pine forests some 1390 meters above sea level. The area has a long history – attracting people to ski here since as early as 1896 – taking advantage of the many pistes which rise to a staggering 2,600m!
The resort is a perfect place to enjoy excellent facilities off pist as well as on the snow. Many restaurants are clustered around the well appointed and superbly equipped major hotels, making dining a real pleasure with an endless array of contemporary and traditional eating places available. Borovets is the perfect place to relax and provides many other recreational opportunities throughout the year. The climate is considered to be healthy, enjoying beautifully clean air, mild winter temperatures and of course mountains of snow! Usually the slopes at Borovets are covered in snow from mid December through to April.
Borovets is also easy accessible- 12 minutes of first class road connects it with Samokov, the most sizeable town in the area. Sofia is just 45 minutes away. There is a regular bus transport into Samokov every 30 minutes and excellent links from there to the capital.
Bansko is considered by many to be Bulgaria's number one ski resort.
It has the most modern ski facilities in the country and is a well-established destination for winter sport enthusiasts from all around the world. The town of Bansko is located 925 m. above sea level, and its ski slopes vary in altitude from 2000 m - 2600 m above sea level. It is some one hour from Sofia, but only 10 minutes from the bustling town of Razlog. Bansko has developed into a favorite ski & snowboard destination, but also boasts unique architecture, has many historically significant sites nearby, as well as beautiful scenery and countryside for miles around.
During the recent years a multi-million Euro investment in a brand new state of the art skiing area has been made by Yulen, the company that is the licensed to provide the facilities within the Bansko skiing resort area. Furthermore, Bansko enjoys plentiful snow and therefore the season stretches from early December through to May! The longest season of any Bulgarian resort! During the last couple of years the resort has seen a massive investment in new prestigious hotels and recreational facilities .A brand new extension to the resort area also includes holiday apartments adjacent to the central hub of the Gondola and ski lift system.
Both Bansko and Borovets have bided for 2014 Olympic.
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 (Burgas) which are available during the spring and summer months, and Plovdiv during the winter. 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 near future.
How long does it take to get there?
For the spring and summer always try first Bourgas and then Varna Airport. These are a short flight from most UK airports of only 2.5 hours. In the winter there are direct flights to Plovdiv and Sofia.
What is the weather like in Bulgaria?
We like to describe Bulgaria as very diverse with something for everyone to enjoy from ski resorts located in the beautiful Pirin, Rila and Rodopi Mountains , to the Black Sea Riviera in summer where temperatures match those of your perfect English summer's day from the months of May through to October. Perfect for the whole family to enjoy!!
What is the food like?
You will find restaurants with food to suit every taste, from gourmet cuisine, local dishes and fish specialities. You are unlikely to have to spend more than £7 per head on a 3 course meal with wine. There are a growing number of fast food chains such as McDonalds, pizza and family restaurants.
What is the currency?
The currency is the Lev which is now linked to the Euro. Most major transactions such as the purchasing property are carried out in Euros . Exchange rate: £ 1 = 2.82 Levs (Jan '06).
Do they speak English?
The major resorts and developments welcome and embrace British Tourists with open arms 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 offered to you by the Bulgarian people. They want you to keep coming back to their country, and believe me it shows!
Is it safe?
The crime rate is very low and statistics compare very favourably with all other European holiday destinations. Most visitors comment on how safe they felt at all times of the day in the resorts and all our apartments benefit from 24 Hour on site security.
What about 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.
Will my phone work in Bulgaria?
Yes, all mobile networks are supported.
What are property prices like in Bulgaria?
The prices of property 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 £35,000 GBP with rural properties selling for even less than £7,000 GBP. 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 apartments to mountain chalets and country homes. We are also able to source individual properties and land via our bespoke property finders service.
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. 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 rapidly developing tourist industry. Since the introduction of the currency board in 1997 Bulgaria has been a politically stable country with a developing economy. The conditions and guarantees for foreign investors have generated excellent business opportunities and investment growth potential.
Why should I use British Developments to help me to buy a property in Bulgaria ?
We understand how important making the right decision is for all our customers when buying abroad. We consider no two clients to be the same. We endeavour to understand fully your needs, hopes and aspirations before using our local knowledge and expertise to help you make the right decision. We are firmly established in Bulgaria and we are confident in the prospects for property growth. We have invested considerably in our prestigious Burgas offices and recruited some of the most talented young professionals in the area. We believe in the team and they have a shared passion for seeing the success of their native country enhanced by the attraction of new investors and the increased prosperity they bring. We want your purchase to be informed, simple and enjoyable. Our job is simply to make the purchase of your new home the fun and enjoyable experience you would wish.
What is the law on foreigners owning property in Bulgaria?
"Foreign nationals and foreign legal entities may acquire ownership title over buildings and limited ownership rights over property in the Republic of Bulgaria. Foreign individuals cannot own land (this is a Constitutional prohibition until they join the EU). However, the Foreign Investment Law removed the restrictions on acquisition of land by locally-registered companies with foreign participation. By setting up or joining a company incorporated under the Bulgarian legislation foreign persons can acquire full land ownership rights including ownership rights on agricultural land."
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). This period can then be extended locally. The Bulgarian Embassy in London will provide you with comprehensive information on visas and residency permits. You can contact them on 0207 584 9400 or visit their website www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk.
What about taxation?
Taxes for each property depend on its price. The combined State and local taxes will usually be equivalent to 2 % of the property purchase price.
Are mortgages available on Bulgarian Property?
Finance is not yet available to foreign nationals in Bulgaria. We do however have a range of finance schemes and mortgages available from UK lenders to assist you in purchasing your property. Please call us for further information.
How can I rent my property?
A number of the developments we offer come with guaranteed rental income and full management service. On all others we can arrange a rental agreement each year or a bespoke letting service. We also have a lettings management department that is able to assist with the management of your properties. Contact us for further information. If you are considering purchasing a property for pleasure or investment British Developments are able to help you through every step of the buying process. Purchasing a property in Bulgaria can feel daunting but with prices so low and the expectancy of prices rising in the near future, it can be an excellent way of either adding to your portfolio of investments or taking the plunge to purchase a property with a small outlay. Our office in Burgas is staffed with experience estate and letting agents who can liaise with our UK office to obtain properties that suit your individual requirements. Our staff has many years experience in dealing with investors and are only a telephone call away from discussing your individual requirement or queries. Please feel relaxed, we are able to organise your purchase from start to finish.
- Advice on the best possible areas
- Flights and collection from the Airport
- Hotel accommodation
- Car hire
- Free accompanied viewings with English speaking guides
- Our Lawyer will arrange the registration of a company to obtain ownership of land
- Currency exchange at excellent rates and the transfer of funds
- Finance, legal and tax advice
- Offices in Burgas and UK
- Advice on property whether it be a plot of land, an investment with a Bulgarian building company to produce a complex, buying off plan, a villa , apartment, hotel or commercial property
- We do not work exclusively with any one developer or agency and consequently offer an unbiased view of the Bulgarian property market
- And help with every process of the purchase
- Property insurance