A comfortable retirement works out cheaper in Bulgaria — around £1,200/month for a couple, versus £1,800 in Turkey (about 33% more).
Cost of living, side by side
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Modest (couple/mo) | £780 | £1,150 |
| Comfortable (couple/mo) | £1,200 | £1,800 |
| Premium (couple/mo) | £1,900 | £2,900 |
Indicative monthly estimates for a couple — real costs vary by location, lifestyle and exchange rates.
Bulgaria: Foreigners can freely buy apartments and buildings in their own name, but under the constitution non-nationals cannot directly own the underlying land — a house with a garden is usually held via a Bulgarian company, or the building is bought separately from its plot. (EU citizens face fewer limits.)
Turkey: Foreigners from most countries can buy freehold property outright, registered in their own name on the tapu (title deed); individual foreign ownership is capped at 30 hectares nationwide and barred in military zones. No residence permit is needed to buy.
Bulgaria: Retirees typically apply for a long-stay (type D) visa and a renewable residence permit, showing a stable pension, adequate savings and Bulgarian health cover; buying property alone does not confer residency.
Turkey: Turkey has no dedicated retirement visa; most retirees obtain a short-term residence permit (usually valid up to two years and renewable) by showing sufficient income or savings, valid health insurance and a local address.
Bulgaria: Public healthcare is basic but very cheap, so most expats rely on affordable private clinics or insurance for quality and speed; UK state pensioners can register an S1 for public cover. Sofia and the larger cities have the best facilities.
Turkey: Turkey has modern, low-cost private hospitals, especially in Istanbul, Antalya and the coastal resorts. New residents must hold private health insurance, which is inexpensive, and after a year of residence under-65s can join the public SGK scheme for a modest annual premium.
Bulgaria: Bulgaria has a flat 10% income tax, the EU's lowest, applied to pensions and other income of residents, which makes it very simple and light for a retiree. It adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev.
Turkey: Once you are tax-resident, Turkey can tax worldwide income including foreign pensions, though the UK-Turkey double-tax treaty and generous allowances often keep the burden light; UK government-service pensions remain taxable in the UK. Take local advice on your position.
Bulgaria: Four distinct seasons, with hot summers, cold snowy winters ideal for the ski resorts, and pleasant spring and autumn. The Black Sea coast is noticeably milder. Bulgaria is generally safe and inexpensive; they drive on the right, English is spoken by younger people and in tourist areas but less so among older locals, and the Cyrillic alphabet takes a little getting used to.
Turkey: A hot, dry Mediterranean and Aegean summer with warm, mild coastal winters makes for a long beach season, and spring and autumn are ideal. Inland winters, by contrast, are cold. The tourist coasts are safe and welcoming; they drive on the right, and English is widely spoken in expat and resort areas though far less so inland, where some Turkish goes a long way.
Bulgaria: Total buying costs are usually around 5-6% (nearer 8-10% with a buyer's agent): a 3% municipal transfer tax, notary fees of about 0.4-1.5%, and a 0.1% registration fee. Foreigners buy buildings freely but hold the underlying land via a company; completion takes a few weeks.
Turkey: The main one-off cost is the 4% title-deed (tapu) transfer fee, legally split with the seller but often paid in full by the buyer, plus modest notary, translator and agency fees; budget around 5-8% all in. A transfer can complete within a week or two once checks are done.
Bulgaria: Bansko for mountain and ski living at low cost; the Black Sea coast around Varna and Burgas for summer sun; historic Veliko Tarnovo for character; and Sofia for city amenities and healthcare.
Turkey: Antalya and its suburbs for a warm coastal city; Fethiye and Calis for a relaxed resort feel; Bodrum for a smarter Aegean scene; and Altinkum/Didim for budget-friendly seaside living.
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