Private health cover is highly advisable and, although plans are expensive in comparison to the cost of state medical treatment, they are still cheaper than in other countries. So what is it like to live in Bulgaria and how do you go about moving and settling down there? If you have two EU residence permits (e.g. You have rejected additional cookies. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Even then, you may be asked for proof of income being paid into the bank for up to six months. Like to exchange your foreign driving licence for a UK one: Order the application form D1 from the DVLA and versendet the form with the required documents (including . To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. Depending on the country of issuing of the degree you might need to get it apostilled. From our contacts and from forums, the answer is yes: you can still open a Bulgarian bank account as a non-resident (although one Bulgarian, who had helped a non-resident Greek contact open an account recently, told us it was a challenging task). 2 hours Rated Excellent on Trustpilot We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Well done Suzanne. You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. However, you should make sure to check all your tyres before setting off. If youre planning to spend your retirement abroad or looking for a vacation home in your dream destination, we have all the information you need to make your big adventure a reality. Do I need headlamp converters in Bulgaria? You can only exchange your licence if it is due to expire within 6 months. You can exchange your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man driving licence without taking theory and practical tests. You must apply for a Spanish licence as a non-EU national to drive in Spain, which involves taking both a theory and practical driving test. The red light is followed by an amber light, the driver must stop unless to close to the lighting device. There are some exceptions and what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed . Consider exchanging your UK driving licence for a local licence as soon as possible in line with specific advice for your country of residence. Driving a rented vehicle? Separately, he is absolutely right that enforcement is very low in Bulgaria (and fines are also relatively small). Well send you a link to a feedback form. You must be 18-years-old with a full and valid driving licence to drive in Bulgaria, though most rental companies require you to be over 21 with a minimum of one years driving experience. The document which certifies that you cover the minimal education level is called an education certificate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Note that you DONT need to have your translation legalized (notarized) if your university degree is issued in a country- party to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, or in a member-state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (the full list of countries is available at the link above). The city centre is small enough that no car is required if you live downtown: taxis are cheap and there are plenty of trams. If you hold a licence from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you cannot currently exchange this for a Spanish licence. As an EU country, standard EU rules apply to removals; do note you may need to list serial numbers and brands for all electrical appliances. RAC Motoring Services and RAC Financial Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities. Since 1960s horn use in Bulgaria is forbidden, except it is being used in attempt(s) to prevent an accident. Search RAC Drive for news, reviews, advice and more. Alcohol, tobacco and excise duties Rules for taking cash in and out of the EU and travelling with cash in the EU Travelling with pets and other animals in the EU Luggage restrictions Taking animal products, food or plants with you Using the euro Security and emergencies I am Bulgarian and have a BG citizenship as well. Alternatively, you can exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one now. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"q5kZTGgtHLedZIcsQLXt17BXOhnNpdTVe.2mXGWG9Gg-1800-0"}; You can exchange your valid UK licence without taking a test. Guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Greece or Italy also updated. It grants visitors the right to drive with their national driving license or exchange it with a UAE license if they hold a residence permit. The courses are being conducted every day (except Sunday) and can be scheduled online.Note that the courses are held only in Bulgarian, but youll be provided with written materials and a final test in English (valid only for the Sofia Red Cross office). RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. That's lower than the 0.08% in England Wales and Northern Ireland, butthe same as Scotland. Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Malta. Then you need to make a translation (by a sworn translator) of your university degree and the transcript (you may use any company offering legalized translations). Bulgaria is becoming ever more popular with expats for whom the cheaper cost of living and a good healthy lifestyle are a priority. The existing rules, agreements, and arrangements between Bulgaria and the UK changed after Brexit. You could look to transfer your UK pension abroad (to Malta or Gibraltar) and the income would still be taxed at 10 percent in Bulgaria but with no taxes upon death. UK and Northern Ireland licences arent legal for driving in Ireland. Depending on the difficulty each exam question gives you 1, 2 or 3 points. The speed limit when driving with snow chains is 50 km/h), fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians), In Bulgaria, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left, All vehicles must also drive with their headlights on, even in the daytime, In Bulgaria, the use of horns is generally prohibited in built up areas between 2200 and 0600 and between 1200 and 1600, except in cases of immediate danger, When approaching a roundabout, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. Croatia To can exchange your licence without having to take a take. The Embassy has been in constant contact with Bulgarian Traffic Police (KAT) in order to address those concerns and to provide accurate information on the topic. You will not need to take a driving test to exchange your licence. Driving in Europe: UK licence holders living in the EU, Iceland If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2023, you can use your valid UK licence for 1 year from the date you became a resident. Of course, I can personally assist you with every aspect of the process for obtaining your driving license. Police in Bulgaria can fine you if you do not have the correct documents. Get covered when driving in Europe from less than 6 per day. Depending on the country of issuing of the diploma you might need to get it apostilled. Vignettes for a passenger car cost 59 for a year, 10 for a month or 4 for a week and cover you for travel on all roads. British Embassy Sofia 9 Moskovska str. Replace a lost . Consider doing this as soon as possible. After this period, you must hold a Maltese driving licence. Apply for your first provisional driving licence. You need to do this within 180 days of taking up residency in Denmark, or by 30 June 2021, whichever is later. Every driver must possess a highway permit . More about us Expatras list of the cheapest countries to retire. ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. A huge caveat is that there is no social security agreement between the UK and Bulgaria, so your UK state pension will be frozen at its current rate upon first payment, with no increases linked to inflation. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Then the non-EU license needs to be replaced by a Bulgarian driving license. //]]>. Yes, with a full and valid UK driving licence, you can drive your own vehicle in Bulgaria. Question: Can I use my full UK driving licence or do I need an international driving licence? Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or adjust the beam manually. The textbook covers the Bulgarian road traffic rules and includes lots of examples and pictures. A country house in a remote village could be yours for as little as 20,000 and you could heat it for around 70 a month, half the price it would cost you in the UK. Some countries DO NOT need to have it apostilled, and those countries are: Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Georgia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Yemen, Cyprus, China, North Korea, Cuba, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Syria, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Hungary, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Dimitrov Blvd., Sofia working from 8:00 to 18:30: After youve acquired your education certificate its time to start with the driving course.The full driving course consists of the theoretical and practical parts, each ending with an exam. So dont hesitate and dont allow unnecessary dilemmas to disturb your wonderful world just make it even more magnificent and free. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. However, it has not lived up to the bubble hype, with massive over-development, which has led to more tourism diversification into golf greens, climbing centres and spa hotels. No, it is not compulsory to carry a breathalyser kit in your vehicle when driving in Bulgaria. We will start in an area with low traffic intensity and gradually based on your progress well switch to areas with more intense traffic (e.g., the city center). Several thousand international expats live in the capital the cheapest city in Western Europe either in apartments in downtown areas such as Doctors Garden, or in suburbs such as Boyana, Dragalevtsi and Bistritsa. Hi Roman, it looks like all EU and EEA (European Economic Area) citizens are allowed to buy land in Bulgaria. Your local Brgeramt can tell you where to exchange your licence. I have my full Canadian license and would love to be able to drive here while I visit. Many of the expat city-dwellers are workers, and the city boasts a thriving start-up scene. Important Driving Information - U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria Your UK licence will no longer be valid to drive on Dutch roads after 1 May 2021. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you should exchange your licence within 90 days of registering for residence. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings. As you know sometimes the bureaucratic procedures might be a bit annoying, but the following guidelines will help you go through them much easier: Education certificate issued based on your high school diploma (the document is called Uverenie/): You need to have your high school diploma together with the transcript (the document that shows your grades and subjects). Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK | International After the driving classes you have to take the practical exam which consists of 25 minutes driving with a state examiner. 10308 Sofia Bulgaria, Telephone: (359) 933 9222 Fax: (359) 933 9219 Email: [emailprotected] [emailprotected] Website: http://www.british-embassy.bg/, British Consulate Varna 40 Graf Igantiev Street PO Box 229 Varna Bulgaria, Telephone: (+359-52) 6655555 Fax: (+359-52) 6655755 Email: [emailprotected]. However, it is important to make sure that you have all the required items and documents you need to drive legally on Bulgarian roads. The LIMA app can help you with traffic and road conditions. You may not turn right on a red light. The Portuguese government recently introduced new legislation regarding driving licences issued by OECD countries. Is there any other way of checking my bills, they do not arrive at my appartment? After the theoretical part of the course, you have to take the theory exam which is a test of 45 questions with a time limit of 40 minutes. Get the latest news, advice, reviews and offers to help keep your motoring costs down. A basic plan from Uniqa for a couple under 70 years old will cost 330 BGN (145) a year.