Ian W
@cyberescue1
English expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
214
Contacts
4
About me
English
Lives in Varna
Speaks English, some French, little Italian, little Bulgarian.
Registration: 01 January 2023
Activity
Suggestions for a short break? by jeanmandredeix
Has anyone got a suggestion for an area for a short break on the coast? Somewhere that is quiet and polar opposite to Sunny Beach? Would like to do a short break with the dog before summer arrives. Thanks.
@jeanmandredeix Kavarna, further up from Balchik, has a beautiful beach. The town is small, but has decent enough infrastructure for a short break. You can also visit Cape Kaliakra, about 20 mins drive from Kavarna. If you like mussels, you can ... 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 ...
@janemulberry Yes, at least we've got that! Got to say, banking as a whole is a lot better than it used to be. I remember the days of putting the phone down on someone who told you "a cheque is in the post" and then working out how long it would ... Read More
Banking with Wise - update
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 ... Read More
Current flights to UK? by jeanmandredeix
My husband has to go back to UK to collect his Visa (a very annoying point) and apart from Sofia am I doing something wrong as I can find no direct flights. Luton or Stansted would be best. Varna would have been better as it’s 5.5hrs drive to ...
@jeanmandredeix There are direct flights from Varna to Luton , with Wizz Air, five times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.If you can fly from Burgas, Wizz Air have six flights a week to Luton, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ... Read More
Quality of customer service in Bulgaria by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Customer service can say a lot about everyday life in Bulgaria, and for many expats, it’s something that could take time to get used to. In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats to adjust to local expectations, we ...
@Cheryl Having a Bulgarian wife, I've learnt a lot about attitudes and behaviours towards customers in Bulgaria.Let's start with the whole concept of Customer Service. In Western Europe, especially the UK, most businesses adopt the mantra "the ... Read More
What is the cost of utilities in the new currency? by Mrs Homemaker
Has anyone found a spike in the cost of their electricity or other utility bills?I didnt think there would be any difference in cost charged ie what was once 29.BGN Would still be the same only a conversion from BGN to Euros.Any thoughts?
@Mrs Homemaker Apparently there's a massive protest going on over the exorbitant increases in electricity and water bills. They've been protesting on the streets in Sofia.Our electricity bill during January 2025 was around 200 Leva (€102.50), ... Read More
Post or Courier from UK (Wales) to rural (South East) Bulgaria by Kit2001
Hi, We bought our house a few years ago (sadly just after Brexit due to delays and get out once or twice per year. We are VERY slowly fixing things - we paid for a new roof last year, but are hoping to do a lot of the work ourselves.The house is ...
@SimCityAT Yes, it certainly pays to shop around Europe. I've found all sorts of interesting websites.I avoid buying from the UK now at all costs, with one exception... If there's a book I really can't find anywhere else (there have been a few). Read More
Post or Courier from UK (Wales) to rural (South East) Bulgaria by Kit2001
Hi, We bought our house a few years ago (sadly just after Brexit due to delays and get out once or twice per year. We are VERY slowly fixing things - we paid for a new roof last year, but are hoping to do a lot of the work ourselves.The house is ...
@Kit2001 Whilst getting things from the UK to Bulgaria is certainly achievable, there are a few things you need to know...As the UK is no longer an EU country, anything you send from the UK to Bulgaria, must have a Customs Declaration on it, with a ... Read More
Pre Brexit Residency Card Renewal by cyberescue1
So, the time has come to renew my 5 year, EU, pre Brexit, residency card and obtain a 10 year permanent residency one.... Well, that's what I thought, but bureaucracy in Bulgaria reigns...I received my existing card in October 2020, but the expiry ...
@janemulberryI Copied and pasted this, as I'd posted it on another post today, but it's the latest...Didn't have time to go in October / November, so paid three visits to the migration office over the past week..."As Gwyn says, you should have a ten ... Read More
Documents needed to renew residency card. by Melvyn Dawson
Hi, I have lived permanently I Bulgaria for 20 years and still have ask this.i have a bank account ,driving licence,residency permit etc. I can remember most of the documents I submitted for my last 5 year residency card but can someone who has ...
@Melvyn Dawson As Gwyn says, you should have a ten year card by now, if not, you should certainly get one this time around.I, literally, have just come back from the third visit to Varna Immigration Office.I originally, got my first long-term ... Read More
Cabled internet not WIFI by GuestPoster5763
Hi i'm looking to rent in Bulgaria for 6 months initially, i may buy accommodation after that. I work online and need very reliable internet connection, WIFI is not good enough, and wonder how easy is it to get fibre or cable TV type lined internet ...
All routers have an RJ45 ethernet cable slot. You just need to buy an RJ45 cable to link your computer directly to the router, thereby, avoiding using WiFi.The difference in speed should be significantly more using a cable. Make sure the cable you ... Read More
Managing meals in Bulgaria by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in Bulgaria? We ...
@Cheryl Because my wife works and I'm retired and I don't really cook, we tend to eat out quite a bit. We are lucky that we have a counter service restaurant bar just 2 minutes walk from our front door, which is half the price of many other ... Read More
Has food cost increaed massively? by jeanmandredeix
Is it me or has food costs increased over past few months? I monitored my food costs on our last 6 week visit and we have only been here two weeks so far and they seem a hell of a lot higher.
@jeanmandredeix Yes, prices have certainly increased. Appears to be in conjunction with the introduction of the Euro in January. Prices had gone up anyway, but even more do now.You can save by picking the stores you shop at wisely and some have a ... Read More
Tax on pensions by gaz1
Hi all, we’re planning on moving out to Bulgaria to take advantage of the lower tax rates on out retirement. we are aware that our uk state pensions will be tax free, we believe but what about drawdown withdrawals we make from our private ...
@gaz1I claim a UK private pension and have been doing so for over four years now.I've also made lump sum draw downs. Firstly, there is an agreement between the UK and Bulgaria of single taxation only, so you can only be taxed once.Secondly, you will ... Read More
Getting older in Bulgaria by Kath948381
Do I have to return to the UK from my Bulgarian village home as I'm getting older ? I miss the peace and quiet when I have to return to the UK now and then so what do I do when I get older and older, I'm 72 , 73 later in the year.
@JimJ Very sorry to hear of your father's situation Jim.You may have already tried and I'm none the wiser, but I wonder whether you could get a transfusion privately, in a private hospital? Or may be they get blood the same way as the public ... Read More