Helpful advice on getting used to living in Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers different options for medical treatment. It is very easy to get medication from the pharmacy, but for some specific medicine, you must visit a doctor for a prescription. If you have a toothache, you can find very easy a dentist. There are many private dentists and their prices are very reasonable for this kind of service. In the event of an emergency, call 112. This number is free of charge and valid in all Bulgarian territories. Using an ambulance in case of an emergency is free.
Bulgaria is a European country where you could find all brands and shops. Of course, you can find many discounts and get good prices for all of them. Bulgarian markets and shops for food also offer weekly promotions and discounts which will make your life easier.
Telephone numbers in Bulgaria are under an open dialing plan, similar to those of Germany and Austria. The country calling code is +359. There are three operators (A1, Vivacom and Telenor) which will offer you many options for a Bulgarian SIM card which includes free minutes and mobile Wi-Fi. You can either sign a phone contract or use prepaid plans.
Bulgaria is among the countries with the fastest public Wi-Fi in the world. You can easily find a local provider who will connect your home with the internet. Also, most of the students use their mobile Wi-Fi because it is very strong and fast.
Your Driver’s License will be valid in Bulgaria, if you have a license which was issued by an EU member state/EEA or Switzerland (or by a country that ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic). You must be also 18 years or older.
If you are a non-EU citizen, your driving license won’t be valid in Bulgaria. You can drive as a tourist in Bulgaria (3 months) if you have a valid international driver´s permit. After that period, you need to start a driving course. To obtain a driving licence you must register at an approved driving school for at least 40 hours of theoretical instruction and 31 actual driving lessons of 50 minutes each.
Long-term foreign residents may drive motor vehicles in Bulgaria on a licence not issued by an EU Member State, another country that is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland for up tо one year from the date of entry into the country.
If you have previously exchanged a motor vehicle driving licence in another EU Member State, you may drive in Bulgaria on the valid national driving licence you actually hold.
The political stability arising from NATO membership and EU accession, the stable economic perspective and the improving credit rating of the country and its institutions, are some of the elements that prove the safety of the country.
Bulgaria provides all kinds of local transport. As we have four seasons, you cannot use a bicycle during the winters but you can walk a lot and enjoy all colors of the seasons. Bigger cities have more options like buses, trams, and tubes. It is easy to reach all places by bus and train.
Although Bulgaria is part of the EU, it is not part of the Eurozone. The Bulgarian Lev (BGN) is the national currency of the country. It is divided into 100 stotinki. The fixed rate is 1 euro = 1.95583 leva. Compared to other European countries, Bulgaria is a country where you will get you much more in value by exchanging your money to the local currency.
During your study time in Bulgaria, you can enjoy your favorite hobbies and leisure activities, getting around in Bulgaria and the nearest countries or just practice your theory knowledge by local training programs. Enjoy your studies and create your future career!