Greetings Melanie...
I have just posted on another topic the info for Brits looking to apply for a BG Residence Permit, so I've copied it below for you.
As to medical insurance, there are several different types of cover. There is something called "Medical Insurance for Foreigners", and it's cheap (about 80 euros). This is what you need for any official application which specifies that you need proof of health insurance. You can walk into any insurance office and get this in about 10 minutes. It satisfies the bureaucrats, but obviously isn't really a terribly useful insurance. :-)
Like other countries, you can also buy a proper private health insurance policy. As you know, these get very expensive as you get older, so 60+ (for your husband) will be pricey. However, it is much cheaper in Bulgaria than in UK or Spain, for example. I was quoted 300 euros here, while my Spanish one was quoted at 1100 euros.
Finally, as you note, you can also (once you have your residence permit) pay into the Bulgarian social security system.
Once I got my residence permit, I discovered I had to visit the social security office to "activate" me/my number (from my ID card) in the system. Once activated, you can make contributions as an employee (if you get a job, or setup a company and hire yourself), self-employed, or unemployed.
Self-employed is a minimum of about 60 euros per month... while unemployed is only 13 euros per month.
Once I'd paid some months, the system showed me as being part of health system... and I was able to go to DSK bank and fill in their form (they administrate this, for some reason) to get my Bulgarian EHIC card. So I can use this when travelling in the EU. Here they issue it only for 12 months, so you have to repeat annually.
I believe there is another step required to get the domestic card to show that I am entitled to treatment here, but I haven't yet figured this out, sorry. Mostly out of laziness, I admit... but also because I've found that private treatment is very cheap.
I have gone to duty doctor at Pulmed (my local private hospital) several times for minor issues, and a consult is 25 leva. When I'm very lazy... I've just wandered over to the Emergency Ward (not busy at Pulmed) and chatted to the Emergency Doc. This costs a bit more, but still less than 50 leva. Last time, he gave me a bunch of tests (blood pressure, blood analysis, ultrasound, EKG) and it was still only 120 leva.
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GETTING A BG RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR UK (or other non-EU) CITIZENS
The UK is no longer a member of the EU, so getting residence is a little trickier than before.
So...
(a) Perhaps you don't need a residence permit? I believe UK citizens can stay in Bulgaria for up to 3 months in any 6 months, without any visa or residence permit. You can buy a Health Insurance for Foreigners policy here for less than 100 euros. If you're still living/working in UK, and you just want to enjoy the summer here, for example, this might be fine.
(b) If you want to live here most/all the time, then you do need a residence permit, and the first step is to apply for a D Visa. Then once you have that you can apply for the residence permit. (Visa can be applied for at any Embassy/Country, but residence can only be applied for here in Bulgaria.) This process is much easier if you are retirees with a pension (this is one of the grounds for granting the D Visa). Otherwise, it's tricky again... and I think the usual option is to go for Foreign Trade Representative.
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Here's some official info, I've copied:
RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR FOREIGN (NON-EU) NATIONALS
All foreign nationals who would like to obtain Bulgarian residence must first apply for a long-term D visa in the nearest Bulgarian embassy or general consulate. There are 5 primary instances for which a D visa is granted:
1. Registration of a Trade Representative Office of a foreign company in Bulgaria;
2. Registration of a Bulgarian limited company employing at least 10 local citizens for no fewer than 6 months;
3. Investment in real-estate property – 312,000 €; You may learn more how to buy a real-estate in Bulgaria;
4. Non-EU citizens who are pensioners and have sufficient funds & accommodation to support their stay in Bulgaria;
5. Family reunification in Bulgaria;
6. Bulgarian residence for European citizens;
7. Bulgarian passport by investment.
Our experience shows that the most convenient and affordable way for a foreign national to obtain a Bulgarian D visa and Bulgarian residence permit is by way of registering a foreign company’s trade representative office in Bulgaria. Registering a trade representative office with our law firm, we will not charge you maintenance or annual fees for the registered office address of your trade representative office.
FOR RETIREES
Non-EU citizens who are retired in their home country can apply for a Bulgarian Pensioner D visa and temporary residence permit. The required documents are published in Art. 24, sec. 11, para. 10 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
Documents required for a non-EU Pensioner to obtain a long-term Pensioner D visa:
- Standard Visa Application form
- Two passport-size photographs
- Passport
- Document, showing that they are entitled to a retirement income, issued by the country of origin and legalised with a notary public
- Document from a bank in Bulgaria certifying that the applicant has a valid bank account to which regular transfers of his/her pension will be made
- Evidence of accommodation and address in Bulgaria
- Medical Insurance
- Police clearance certificate/ CBR check
The set of documents for a long-term Pensioner D visa is submitted in person in the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate. After the Pensioner D visa is approved, the foreign national can apply for a residence permit. The residence permit for retired people is granted for a period of up to 12 months and it can be renewed annually.
