As they say, Bulgaria is not abroad. However, even today, some citizens of our country are thinking about moving to this sunny country. In Bulgaria, the infrastructure for summer and winter holidays is well developed, there are both a variety of resorts and ski slopes. It is in this country that many mineral springs are discovered - the 2nd place in the world.
In fact, Russians in Bulgaria are not demographic donors. First of all, people come to the country from Moldova, Ukraine and Serbia. Emigrants from Russia are on the list, even in the top ten immigrants, but not in leading positions. Most often, people from our country go to Bulgaria to receive an education that does not need to be confirmed in the countries of the European Union.
The attitude of the local population towards immigrants
According to Russian reviews, in Bulgaria the local population treats them tolerantly, even friendly. The older generation still remembers the Russian language, because they graduated from high school in the 80-90s. Younger locals speak good English. So that you can contact them.
However, it should be remembered that the Bulgarians really do not like criticism, especially if it comes from emigrants. Therefore, in order to avoid conflict, it is better to praise everything and everyone.
Education system
To get a general secondary education, you need to unlearn at school for seven years. After that, each child passes a national exam. In fact, this is an analogue of the Russian exam. Then the children go to the 8th grade, where they study English and specialized sciences.
Admission to the gymnasium, as well as to the higher educational institution, takes place on the basis of grades earned on a national exam. Further, a computer program distributes applicants to educational institutions depending on the state order and the availability of free places at the institute or university. Each child has the right to apply simultaneously to several universities.
Education in Bulgaria for Russians, as well as for other emigrants, will be paid. But after training, graduates will receive a diploma, which is quoted in all European countries.
Interestingly, the American University even works in this country. It is located in the city of Blagoevgrad. After graduation, the diploma will be accepted in America without confirmation.
To get an education in Bulgaria it is better for Russians to go to Plovdiv. There are agricultural and medical universities. By the way, the last university is participating in a student exchange program called Eresmus. And in Varna, at the University of Management, there is the best business school. Students after training will receive not only the main diploma, but also an additional document from the MBA.
This is a real educational center of Bulgaria. Students from different countries come here to study under the Bologna system.
attitude to alcohol
Russians in Bulgaria say that the local population prefers a drink called rakiya. It has 40 degrees of alcohol, it is actually ennobled moonshine. Brandy can be apricot, plum or grape. The most popular brand is “Burgas 63”.
By the way, in every village there is a public moonshine still. Residents of villages can use it by paying a certain amount.
In second place in popularity - mastic, or aniseed vodka. They drink it with ayran (salted kefir).
Younger more advanced drink whiskey, vodka and tequila. Cognac is almost impossible to find. And if it works out, then to taste it will not be at all what the Russians expect.
Crime
How is Russian living in Bulgaria and what is the crime rate in the country? The atmosphere here is about the same as in our country. There are areas where you can leave your car uncovered all your life. Nobody will ever touch her. And there are areas where you do not have time to blink, as you will remain without a wallet. The peak of thefts occurs naturally in the tourist season.
Interestingly, Sofia was in third place on the list of the most dangerous cities in Europe.
But the country's biggest problem is the gypsies. Indeed, they live in separate areas resembling ghettos. Gypsies live practically in huts, where there is no sewage or electricity. That is, no living conditions. As a rule, they all live off social benefits. Naturally, this causes great discontent on the part of the Bulgarians, because the gypsies actually live at their expense.
How to choose a city to stay?
Where will Russians in Bulgaria feel better? For permanent residence, you should not choose the area next to the gypsies. It is also not recommended to consider the resort area as an option. In the summer there will be a huge number of visitors, and in the winter, life seems to stop here.
It is best to stay in the area where at least 50 thousand people live. Then there is guaranteed to be all the necessary infrastructure. Although it all depends on personal preferences. But the leaders for emigrants are cities such as:
- Burgas
- Sofia.
- Varna
For business, it is better to choose Sofia, and for a measured life - Varna. Pensioners often choose small rural settlements near the sea. But the village is not suitable for an active young migrant, since it is almost impossible to find work there.
Job
The country has a fairly low unemployment rate of 7%. However, local youth are not at all keen to work. Among them, unemployment reaches 13%.
Russians are still advised to move to Bulgaria only when official work is found. It is clear that getting into a hotel as a staff is not difficult. But it is often almost impossible to find an official job without permanent residence.
In the country, you can do a small private business. Income tax is 15%.
Salaries in the country are low - not more than 800 leva (about 30 thousand rubles). At the same time, if the inflation rate decreases, then the average wage falls. If we compare wages in Europe with Bulgaria, then it is about 10 times less. Therefore, most of the population seeks to leave the country by moving to Canada or the United States.
Retirement benefits
The amount of such benefits in the country is about 570 leva (about 21-22 thousand rubles). And that's pretty good. Retirement age increased recently. For men - 65 years, for women - 63 years. For late payments to the pension fund, Bulgarians are charged a fine. In this case, the debt should be more than three months.
At the same time, emigrants should not count on pensions. Every year, people of advanced age will have to buy insurance, the cost of which increases depending on age: the older a pensioner, the more expensive it is. At the same time, there are no benefits for medical care or the purchase of medicines. You will also have to pay a permit for permanent residence in Bulgaria for Russians and other foreign citizens.
But pensioners from Russia are the most active part of the diaspora in the country. Almost every city has clubs where they gather and speak their native language, share problems and experiences, listen to music, treat each other with borsch or other national dishes.
How do Russian pensioners live in Bulgaria? Surprisingly, it is a fact: most often in the country you can meet military pensioners who are tired of the northern cold and can afford long-term residence in a foreign country. And what do they do? Often growing fruits and vegetables in household plots and fishing. In fact, the same thing that they would do at home.
Healthcare
Is life in Bulgaria suitable for Russians in terms of providing medical services? In fact, despite the low standard of living, medicine in the country has reached a European level. However, it is paid even for the local population. But the prices are low, so everyone is happy. Emigrants recommend contacting centers where the quality and quantity of services provided is monitored at the level of legislation. In addition, it is advisable for foreigners to purchase insurance. Then the prices in hospitals and other institutions will be lower. Although you should not count on good compensation, and the dentist will not work for free at all. In principle, as in Russia.
For the treatment of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, it is better to go to sanatoriums located in the resort of Sandanski. A drink of mineral water is better in Devin or Velingrad.
Weekdays
Everyday life in Bulgaria for Russians is not much different from that in Russia. In most cases, an emigrant and a Bulgarian go to the nearest cafe before work, where they buy coffee in a plastic or paper cup. They drink it there, on the street with a cigarette, in a car or in public transport. Interestingly, Bulgarians often drink coffee with Coca-Cola.
At work, tea begins with employees, which can last from one to two hours. A lunch break is a holy time, as are snacks with nuts or crackers.
The Bulgarians are considered to be late in the order of things. Punctuality is even somewhat abnormal. Many people think that coming to the doctor two hours before the appointment is the norm. At the same time, the Bulgarian will not wait, but will come in and say that he was passing by, maybe the doctor will take it earlier.
Holidays and important events
It is important for Russians leaving for permanent residence in Bulgaria to know that two holidays are celebrated in the country on a huge scale:
- Christmas is December 25th.
- St. George's Day - May 6.
For Christmas, they usually prepare a banitsa, in which they put all kinds of wishes and surprises.
On St. George's Day, which is often combined with weekends, it is customary to travel outside the city - to nature or to relatives in the village. For this holiday, it is customary to cook a kid or a lamb. For this reason, in large cities this day is empty.
Another holiday celebrated with great pomp is the graduation party. On this day, it is customary to invite all relatives and friends and treat them to the most expensive dishes.
On all holidays, folk music is played in the country.
The mentality of the local population
Permission for permanent residence in Bulgaria for Russians allows its holder to obtain all civil rights of a resident of the country, except for electoral. But this is not the most important thing. Before deciding to move, one should study the mentality of the local population: how they live, what they are interested in, how they communicate with each other and with emigrants.
Here, children are allowed almost everything. The husband is treated as an auxiliary force and exploited in the family in full.
For the countryside, envy is the norm. If a neighbor purchases a car, they may even arrange a boycott for this reason.
Diaspora
How do Russians live in Bulgaria, is there a community or a diaspora? Today, there really is a Russian diaspora in the country. According to official information, it consists of 25 thousand people. There are also several public organizations in the country. Many Russians united as parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church.
However, in the post-revolutionary period, the influx of emigrants from Russia is very small. But the country retained a community of Old Believers who had appeared in these places before the October Revolution.
A school with instruction in Russian can only be found at the embassy. Although there are still educational institutions in which the language is studied, but there are few.
Living expenses
There is not much difference in price between supermarkets and markets. Most of the population prefers cooking at home - it turns out cheaper and tastier.
There are several hypermarkets in the country. These are local networks Fantastico and Promarket, as well as foreign Didl, Maxima and Kaufland.
Estimated cost of products (BGN / RUB):
- 700 g of bread - 0.96 / 37;
- 1.5 liters of water - 0.40 / 16;
- 0.5 l of sunflower oil - 2.29 / 88;
- one liter of milk - 2/77
- one kilogram of pork - 8.65 / 333.
To date, the rate is 38.48 rubles per 1 lev.
Fruits and vegetables are recommended to be purchased in the market. It's a little cheaper there. Brought fruits are much more expensive than local fruits. For example, plums and grapes will cost 1 lev (38.5 rubles), and apples - 0.7 (27 rubles). By the way, it is forbidden to sell food products in markets except fruits and vegetables. That is, there is no cheese, no cottage cheese, etc.
This is not to say that the country has cheap gasoline. For a liter of AI-95 will have to pay about 1.17 euros (88 rubles), and for diesel fuel - 1.15 (86 rubles).
In the central part of Sofia you can find completely unique shops, whose name in translation into Russian means "sit down and buy." These are small windows at the very bottom of the building, located at the level of sidewalks. To purchase a product, you really need to sit down. These shops sell alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
