Angela
@ButterMyPaws19
English looking for information about Bulgaria
Forum posts
47
About me
English
Speaks English
Registration: 31 December 2023
90 day rule - what haven't I thought of? by janemulberry
Hubby is getting increasingly impatient with the wait for us to legally move to Bulgaria once I get my state pension and can qualify for the D visa. Now TRO is more difficult, and we haven't magicked up enough cash to get in on property investment, ...
@janemulberryJust curious as we definitely don't have 320,000€ (yet , never say never) but would that 320000 have to be in one single property or could it be spread over several, and would yhey have to be purchased all at the same time (or ... Read More
Relocating to Bulgaria under Type D long-stay visa by Diegres
Hi @Julien,We are exploring the possibility of relocating to Bulgaria under the Type D long-stay visa.We would greatly appreciate if you could kindly tell us where we could download the visa forms from.Any other tips are very welcome ...
What happens when the uk government raises the pension age again, does this 'move the goal posts' requiring us to wait a further 2 years before we qualify for a retirement d-visa? (We don't have a private pension) Read More
Dolna Lipnitsa - what is it like by rjburns
Hi We are coming out to Bulgaria to look at properties. What is it like living in Dolna Lipnitsa ? Are there buses to Pavelikeni at all? We would really appreciate any thought or comments
@doreenherrfurth Hi Doreen, nice to see you are here in this group. ❤️ We are still planning on moving out but having problems getting back to Bulgaria to look for a property 🤦♀️ Read More
Shotguns and rifles by graemewalker
I have rifles and shotguns as I do a lot of shooting in the UK . I'm wondering if you have to register in Bulgaria and how? Also has anyone had any exposure in bringing their equipment over travel etc.
@JimJThank you for the info. Read More
Shotguns and rifles by graemewalker
I have rifles and shotguns as I do a lot of shooting in the UK . I'm wondering if you have to register in Bulgaria and how? Also has anyone had any exposure in bringing their equipment over travel etc.
Possibly a stupid question but does this apply to air rifles too? as I understand the rules in the uk (and France) are different for air powered weapons. Read More
D visa times by Suzi Masterson
How long is the waiting period to get an appointment at the embassy at the moment does anyone know please?I'm trying to make sure we don't over stay and make a plan if it's longer than. I need it to be
@gwynj thank you, this is really helpful, we do understand we still need to make an application for bulgarian residency but the possibility of not having to go down the d-visa route for us relieves 🤞🏻🤞🏻 an enormous ... Read More
D visa times by Suzi Masterson
How long is the waiting period to get an appointment at the embassy at the moment does anyone know please?I'm trying to make sure we don't over stay and make a plan if it's longer than. I need it to be
I'm confused, (it's not difficult to confuse me, I have 'stroke' brain, short term memory, retaining information and some cognition is a problem) We have PR permits for France, we've already lived here (in France) permanently, for 9 years and have ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria as a British Citizen by Tommydgreen
Hi all! i hope everyone is well.I am looking to buy property in Bulgaria as British Citizen only, as you may know, we are no longer in the EU, I am wondering how I would go about this? as I’ve heard I would have to register a business? could ...
So, we own (outright) 2 shops in the uk and rent them out (this is our income). Can we use those as a TRO when we are at the point of wanting to apply for residency? Not knowing what TRO's are or actually do, different from the company one needs to ... Read More
Chicken or egg, which comes first?! by ButterMyPaws19
Can't decide if we are excited or frustrated. We don't know whether to try and set up (or buy) a company in advance so that when we find a property to buy we can hit the ground running or to look at properties and set it all up when we are at the ...
@gwynj We've still got boxes we haven't unpacked from when we moved here 9 years ago 🤦♀️🤣🤣 they'll be the first ones to the tip! Read More
Chicken or egg, which comes first?! by ButterMyPaws19
Can't decide if we are excited or frustrated. We don't know whether to try and set up (or buy) a company in advance so that when we find a property to buy we can hit the ground running or to look at properties and set it all up when we are at the ...
@janemulberrySome really useful points, especially the renting bit, thank you ❤️ Read More
Chicken or egg, which comes first?! by ButterMyPaws19
Can't decide if we are excited or frustrated. We don't know whether to try and set up (or buy) a company in advance so that when we find a property to buy we can hit the ground running or to look at properties and set it all up when we are at the ...
Ahhhh thank you, we'd never even considered renting. Makes so much sense, especially as we 'think' we have some very specific requirements for the property we want to live in (probably not unusual ones but important to us) and I'm not under any ... Read More
Chicken or egg, which comes first?!
Can't decide if we are excited or frustrated. We don't know whether to try and set up (or buy) a company in advance so that when we find a property to buy we can hit the ground running or to look at properties and set it all up when we are at the ... Read More
Owner of property by emmajayne1974
HiI bought my property around 14 years ago and I have not been back to it for years, I handed the keys over to a friend and swopped it for a static, however that person has passed away and I just wondered if there was a register to see if I still ...
@gwynj thank you 👍🏻 Read More
Owner of property by emmajayne1974
HiI bought my property around 14 years ago and I have not been back to it for years, I handed the keys over to a friend and swopped it for a static, however that person has passed away and I just wondered if there was a register to see if I still ...
@gwynj Hi Gwyn, is there somewhere I can find a map of the proposed route of the new road? Tia. Read More
VT visit this week by ButterMyPaws19
So we are coming over this week, mostly for a holiday/break but also to check it out seeing as we have never been before. It may be that we decide bulgaria is not for us (highly unlikely). So it's the VT area this time and probably the Berkovitsa ...
@TonyFFThank you for the recommendation, we shall check it out. Ooooo, beautiful place, sadly a little (a lot) out of our price range. Read More
VT visit this week by ButterMyPaws19
So we are coming over this week, mostly for a holiday/break but also to check it out seeing as we have never been before. It may be that we decide bulgaria is not for us (highly unlikely). So it's the VT area this time and probably the Berkovitsa ...
@TonyFFWhere's your sense of adventure? 😉🤣🤣To be fair, having never been to bulgaria before, we are checking out several regions, to assess the pro's and cons but this visit is just a holiday really. A much needed one and our ... Read More
VT visit this week by ButterMyPaws19
So we are coming over this week, mostly for a holiday/break but also to check it out seeing as we have never been before. It may be that we decide bulgaria is not for us (highly unlikely). So it's the VT area this time and probably the Berkovitsa ...
@Kath948381 We have some rather specific wishes/reasons for not wanting to be near the coast BUT we are of the mind to 'never say never'.Were we able to hire a car on this trip we would definitely explore as many areas east of VT (and both sides of ... Read More
VT visit this week
So we are coming over this week, mostly for a holiday/break but also to check it out seeing as we have never been before. It may be that we decide bulgaria is not for us (highly unlikely). So it's the VT area this time and probably the Berkovitsa ... Read More
Do we need a visa? by ButterMyPaws19
Coming over for a one week break, French residents (uk passport holders) but flying in from the uk. Do we need a visa? Read somewhere that we need a short stay visa, is this correct?
@JimJ We do have French residency, I just suddenly panicked, thinking they might not let us in if we haven't got a flight out booked 🤦♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣 I havent travelled far in the last 9 years, ... Read More
Do we need a visa? by ButterMyPaws19
Coming over for a one week break, French residents (uk passport holders) but flying in from the uk. Do we need a visa? Read somewhere that we need a short stay visa, is this correct?
We weren't sure whether to stay for a week, 10 days or 2 weeks, (thought we would see how we feel when we get there as we are lucky enough to be flexible atm, plus we are unsure which airport we'd prefer to fly back from, Sofia, Plovdiv or ... Read More
Do we need a visa?
Coming over for a one week break, French residents (uk passport holders) but flying in from the uk. Do we need a visa? Read somewhere that we need a short stay visa, is this correct? Read More
Sofia Airport to the center by ButterMyPaws19
Are there regular buses from thr Airport and how long does the journey take from the airport to the city centre? I looked at getting a taxi but they wanted 130€ for the one way, thirteen minute journey 🤦♀️! I don't ...
@sogy I thought that was the case. I suppose it might be worth having a couple of euro notes to exchange at the airport bureau de change. A bit expensive but rather that than have my card details stolen (or is it not so much of an issue?) I worry ... Read More
Sofia Airport to the center by ButterMyPaws19
Are there regular buses from thr Airport and how long does the journey take from the airport to the city centre? I looked at getting a taxi but they wanted 130€ for the one way, thirteen minute journey 🤦♀️! I don't ...
@sogy thanks, it was a 'complimentary' transfer on booking,dot, com! Small print 'there is a charge for this service' so I looked into how much, and nearly choked. Do buses take euros? I have bgn on my card but was hoping not to have to use the atm ... Read More
Sofia Airport to the center
Are there regular buses from thr Airport and how long does the journey take from the airport to the city centre? I looked at getting a taxi but they wanted 130€ for the one way, thirteen minute journey 🤦♀️! I don't ... Read More
Travel from airports to VT by ButterMyPaws19
I'm trying to find a cheap last minute (ish) flight for the 2 of us (looks like we are going to have to fly to the uk, then fly out from there 🤦♀️) but wondered how easy it is to get by train from any of the airports to VT, ...
Thank you, thats really helpful. Sensible to book flights first, then find accommodation. Credit card might be a problem as neither of us have one, never have. We are coming from france so flights are limited and prohibitively expensive (3 to ... Read More
Travel from airports to VT
I'm trying to find a cheap last minute (ish) flight for the 2 of us (looks like we are going to have to fly to the uk, then fly out from there 🤦♀️) but wondered how easy it is to get by train from any of the airports to VT, ... Read More
Reliable Estate Agents? by xpatbg
What are the trusted or reliable Estate Agents of Bulgarian Property Market? How about the "Premium Properties BG" premiumpropertiesbg.com ? Any comments or experiences with them?
@Jules999 this, and 'teddies out of the cot' in my area too. 😁 Read More
A different way of looking at it by AshAdu
Hi thereWe visited all over Bulgaria in Jan / Feb and in the end have rented an apartment in Bansko for 6 months to give us a base (May- end Oct). We will have wonderful mountains & nearby forests to walk in! You may remember we were the couple ...
@janemulberry Pampas grass popular in the UK in the 60's and 70's, planted in the front garden to indicate that the occupants were into 'swinging' 🤦♀️🤣🤣😲 Read More
Crafting in Bulgaria by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Discovering and participating in the artisan culture in Bulgaria is an opportunity not only to enrich your personal knowledge, but also to forge authentic connections with the locals. More than just a hobby, it is a gateway to ...
@janemulberrySee, this is the life we are looking for, I grow/gather my own herbs and make my own salves, soaps and tinctures etc (just for personal use) amongst other traditional crafts and various 'hobbies'. Hubby is an antique furniture restorer ... Read More
A different way of looking at it by AshAdu
Hi thereWe visited all over Bulgaria in Jan / Feb and in the end have rented an apartment in Bansko for 6 months to give us a base (May- end Oct). We will have wonderful mountains & nearby forests to walk in! You may remember we were the couple ...
@janemulberry Ah, I empathise with this, we live in France and often pretend we are french just to avoid the Brits with 3 trolleys full of alcohol in the super market (easier for my hubby than me as he has a gallic charm and air about him) We ... Read More
Where/how to start? by ButterMyPaws19
We are visiting in September with friends who already have a property in Bulgaria but September seems so far away, we would like to visit sooner to see if our vision is realistic. We are not sure where to start. We want to be rural (on the edge of a ...
@janemulberryThank you Jane, that is very helpful indeed. The bus and short term car rental at each place is an excellent idea. I would be curious to know which region you ended up in (pm me if you don't wish to say in public) as we like out of the ... Read More
Where/how to start? by ButterMyPaws19
We are visiting in September with friends who already have a property in Bulgaria but September seems so far away, we would like to visit sooner to see if our vision is realistic. We are not sure where to start. We want to be rural (on the edge of a ...
@gwynjThank you gwyn, this is really helpful. We are not city people. We moved to rural France 9 years ago, to escape the city and live a simpler, almost self sufficient life but its getting harder and harder (and more expensive) here. We were ... Read More
Where/how to start? by ButterMyPaws19
We are visiting in September with friends who already have a property in Bulgaria but September seems so far away, we would like to visit sooner to see if our vision is realistic. We are not sure where to start. We want to be rural (on the edge of a ...
@grumpyoldbirdThank you I will. I really appreciate that. Read More
Where/how to start?
We are visiting in September with friends who already have a property in Bulgaria but September seems so far away, we would like to visit sooner to see if our vision is realistic. We are not sure where to start. We want to be rural (on the edge of a ... Read More
Using UK electric appliances in Bulgaria by Lee4
If I want to use my UK electrical appliances in Bulgaria, will a basic electrical plug socket travel adapter be sufficient, or is there a more sturdy plug adaptor available intended for longer term / permanent / fixed use? I'm thinking of - ...
@JimJ Thank you for that info. We're still in the research stage as we can't visit until later in the year (so trying to do as much research as possible in the mean time and pop it all in my 'bulgaria here we come' book). I'm hoping we don't have to ... Read More
Using UK electric appliances in Bulgaria by Lee4
If I want to use my UK electrical appliances in Bulgaria, will a basic electrical plug socket travel adapter be sufficient, or is there a more sturdy plug adaptor available intended for longer term / permanent / fixed use? I'm thinking of - ...
@JimJ thank you, this is kinda what I thought, just doing as much research as possible to decide whether to include certain white goods with the sale of our house in France (when we get to that point) and buy new in bulgaria or bring them with us. ... Read More
Using UK electric appliances in Bulgaria by Lee4
If I want to use my UK electrical appliances in Bulgaria, will a basic electrical plug socket travel adapter be sufficient, or is there a more sturdy plug adaptor available intended for longer term / permanent / fixed use? I'm thinking of - ...
On a similar note, what are the prices of 'white' goods like. Would it be prudent to buy elsewhere and bring over with us or to buy them when we get to bulgaria? We currently live full time in france so the English/European plugs etc doesn't apply. Read More
Former Observatory near Stramni Rid, Momchilgrad by JimJ
I recall reading a post here a short time ago (might have been posted quite some time back but I only recently saw it) mentioning a property that the poster had looked at - from the brief details mentioned I assume that it's the old observatory at ...
@JimJ it would make an interesting business for someone younger (than me), a retreat of some sort or café/gardens. Nice place, lots of potential but definitely not for us. 😊 I was merely curious. Read More
Former Observatory near Stramni Rid, Momchilgrad by JimJ
I recall reading a post here a short time ago (might have been posted quite some time back but I only recently saw it) mentioning a property that the poster had looked at - from the brief details mentioned I assume that it's the old observatory at ...
@JimJ thank you 😊 my hubby speaks Turkish. I would love my own mini observatory in my garden (or roof of the house) and I'm a curious soul so cant resist a look to see what they've done with it ........... 😉 Read More
Former Observatory near Stramni Rid, Momchilgrad by JimJ
I recall reading a post here a short time ago (might have been posted quite some time back but I only recently saw it) mentioning a property that the poster had looked at - from the brief details mentioned I assume that it's the old observatory at ...
I would be interested to see that post/property if you have a link.Tia Read More
Flour Types by Snowball6
Can anyone tell me what the Bulgarian types of flour are/used for please?
Baking soda is food grade bi carb, baking powder is bicarb and creme of tartre mixed together as a raising agent for cakes I believe. Read More
Hiring a car by derekhandyman
Hi all and a happy new year to all expats. Hope you have all had a good one so far. I am getting closer to coming across and view some houses and I am thinking about hiring a car so that we can go view over a wide area. I am travelling from the UK ...
@grumpyoldbird that's us buggered then because i no longer have a credit card and hubby has never had one, never felt the need. Read More
Where to consider moving for a more self sufficient lifestyle ? by ButterMyPaws19
Hi, we are English (hubby and I) early retirees, who had moved to France pre brexit but are now looking to move to Bulgaria for a new adventure. We moved to rural France for a quieter, more self sufficient, as off grid as possible, life but it is ...
@gwynj I have to say, thank you so much, even though your answers/posts are not directly to me, your information, in just 2 short days, has been invaluable and probably already saved us money and maybe even a costly mistake. 😊 Read More
Where to consider moving for a more self sufficient lifestyle ? by ButterMyPaws19
Hi, we are English (hubby and I) early retirees, who had moved to France pre brexit but are now looking to move to Bulgaria for a new adventure. We moved to rural France for a quieter, more self sufficient, as off grid as possible, life but it is ...
Fabulous, thank you. Would we still need to start a company to buy a property? (I can't see that info in the pdf, but I've been up all night and a bleary eyed 🤦♀️) You area sounds brilliant, lots of unspoiled nature right ... Read More
Where to consider moving for a more self sufficient lifestyle ? by ButterMyPaws19
Hi, we are English (hubby and I) early retirees, who had moved to France pre brexit but are now looking to move to Bulgaria for a new adventure. We moved to rural France for a quieter, more self sufficient, as off grid as possible, life but it is ...
@gwynj Thank you, this is really helpful information. Having delved deeper, we are already seeing the benefit of being in or near a village rather than totally remote (though we do dream of having a little bit of coppice-able woodland to ... Read More
New members of the Bulgaria forum, introduce yourselves here - 2023
Hi, we are English (hubby and I) early retirees, who had moved to France pre brexit but are now looking to move to Bulgaria for a new adventure. We moved to rural France for a quieter, more self sufficient, as off grid as possible, life but it is ... Read More