gwynj
Welsh expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
2596
Contacts
60
About me
Welsh
Lives in Bansko, Blagoevgrad
Speaks English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese
Registration: 30 June 2020
Activity
Moving money from the USA by seamus452
HelloWe're getting ready to move a large-ish amount of money (usd) from our bank in the USA to euros in Spain. We have both WISE and REVOLUT accounts, as well as a Spanish bank account. Some friends have told us about LUMON.Does anyone ...
@seamus452I doubt you need yet another currency exchange option if you already have Wise/Revolut.I don't know the current rules on property purchase (if that's what the large-ish sum is for), but I transferred direct to the buyer rather than ... Read More
Working and studying online as an expat by susanmcallister
Hey everyone,I’m currently looking into changing career paths and learning game development from scratch. Since I want to keep living the expat lifestyle, my goal is to learn everything online so I can eventually land a flexible, remote role ...
@susanmcallisterTough ask, I'm afraid. Current AI tools are almost certainly better than you'll be after spending a year or two (and a bunch of money) learning your new trade. My guess is that you have more chance if you learn the latest wizzy AI ... Read More
International driver's license alongside my Florida license by PepitoFiesta
Hello Bulgaria! I am a US citizen living in Bulgaria with a Bulgarian residency card. I have a Florida driver's license but I do not want to exchange it for a Bulgarian license. I read somewhere that I can get an international driver's license ...
@PepitoFiestaI get that. However, if you're mostly in Bulgaria, then your Bulgarian license should be accepted in USA for your short visits.If you really want to hang on to a foreign license, then it should be possible to simply apply for a brand ... Read More
Where should I buy for boating? by Zooldrool
I want to buy a house by a river or lake for boating. Any recommendations?. What about the danube, are there houses that have yards right on the river bank?. Anyone here have a boat?.
@ZooldroolThere's also the Black Sea and quite a few reservoirs.While it's nice to be waterside, it might be worthwhile considering a smaller boat with trailer and/or the latest inflatable canoes/SUPs. Being, say, 5-15km from water would not be ... Read More
Application for a Permiso de Residencia Permanente. by Imelda Cottle
I have a British Passport. On returning to Spain after travelling to England at Easter, the police informed me that my NIE was no longer valid and I have to get a Permiso de Residencia Permanente. I have prepared the necessary documents as far as ...
@Imelda CottleI don't think NIEs become invalid. But, as a guess, perhaps you're referring to your "Green NIE", the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión which you received when you first registered in Spain (before Brexit)? ... Read More
Remote US job question by PepitoFiesta
Hello Bulgaria! Are any of you working US jobs remotely while living in Bulgaria? I was working with a US company remotely from Bulgaria when I first moved to Bulgaria, but my contract ended and the company I was with stopped hiring remotely. I am ...
@PepitoFiestaThere are (apparently) plenty of remote-only jobs. How easy it is to get one is a different story. The US ones probably pay more, but you can also work for remote employers in other countries. There are a bunch of freelancing platforms ... Read More
International driver's license alongside my Florida license by PepitoFiesta
Hello Bulgaria! I am a US citizen living in Bulgaria with a Bulgarian residency card. I have a Florida driver's license but I do not want to exchange it for a Bulgarian license. I read somewhere that I can get an international driver's license ...
@PepitoFiestaIt kinda matters not what you "want" to do (or not do). if you're now a Bulgarian Resident, then the clock is ticking on your permitted usage (12 months) of your foreign driving license. As it's American, you can't even simply exchange ... Read More
Lyubimets / Svilengrad by Kit2001
Hi, We now have a small car that we keep at our place near Ivaylovgrad - however our initial plan to find parking in Sofia is turning out to be more troublesome and expensive than anticipated, so this year we caught the train from Sofia to our ...
@Kit2001If you live way out in the sticks, there's gonna be some trade-offs. :-) Rather than chase after a mythical parking space, it's probably more productive to make your peace with an overnight somewhere, or find a local taxi service who can ... Read More
Solar installation question by frazer2022
I am looking to install a solar system to help reduce the electricity bills. I will probably only install 2 or 3 kw in total and not include any batteries.This should provide most of my power for the summer months and just help reduce the bills ...
@frazer2022There's loads of info online, especially YouTube for solar panels installation.Last time I was there, Praktiker has a bunch of solar stuff, with inexpensive panels plus inverters and storage.I reckon the default option is an off-grid ... Read More
EU passport holder by karenselsea
I wondered if anyone can tell what particular documentation you need apostilled for any immigration application.
@karenselseaThe immigration process is much, much quicker and easier with your shiny new Irish passport (if you'll have it soon), rather than trying as a Brit.For EU citizens, the registration process is pretty much the same across the EU, and you ... Read More
Banking with Wise - update by cyberescue1
For those who use Wise and have a Bulgarian UBB Account, transferring money between Wise and UBB just got a whole load better.The last time I transferred money, it took a couple of days. However, I transferred money today and it arrived within 30 ...
@jeanmandredeixRevolut just got its UK banking license, so it is now officially a proper bank rather than an an e-money account like Wise. This means customer funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to ... Read More
Banking with Wise - update by cyberescue1
For those who use Wise and have a Bulgarian UBB Account, transferring money between Wise and UBB just got a whole load better.The last time I transferred money, it took a couple of days. However, I transferred money today and it arrived within 30 ...
@cyberescue1I'd guess it's not a Wise/UBB thing, it's a Bulgaria is now in the Eurozone thing. Read More
Immigration Based on Disability Allowance by Tokyo99991
Hi,I'm a citizen of a non-EU country, looking to immigrate to Bulgaria.My sole income source is from a monthly disability allowance of about 800 Euro. I'm aware that it will be very challenging to live in Bulgaria with this amount, but my question ...
@Tokyo99991Others have already provided plenty of helpful responses, but here's my take...(a) A disability allowance will almost certainly be accepted instead of a pension, but it depends on what your official entitlement letter says, i.e. it should ... Read More
Security options by stevewiltshire01
Hi - does anyone know if SOT security pretty much covers everywhere these days, including small rural villages? Or maybe someone knows if there is another similar security company that works out of General Toshevo, I am in a village about 20 mins ...
@JanearnasalamAs @jimj indicated, firearms licenses are probably a bit of a mission. As a lad, I quite enjoyed a bit of pigeon/rabbit shooting with an airgun, which typically requires no firearms registration (up to 24 joules, fairly hefty, in ... Read More
Security options by stevewiltshire01
Hi - does anyone know if SOT security pretty much covers everywhere these days, including small rural villages? Or maybe someone knows if there is another similar security company that works out of General Toshevo, I am in a village about 20 mins ...
@JanearnasalamSorry to hear of your distressing stripping experience. I'm guessing your best protection will be physically occupying the property most of the year. It's not impossible to burgle someone while they're tucked up in their bed, but I ... Read More