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.
A few things to line up early:
Visa rules change often — treat this as a starting point and confirm the latest official requirements before you plan.
Remember: buying a home and gaining the right to live there are usually separate steps. See how ownership works in Bulgaria, and what it costs to live there in our cost-of-retiring guide.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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