Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬
#770
,
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in Europe, famous for its rich history and diverse architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.24 million people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 80 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN), with approximately 1 EUR ≈ 1.96 BGN. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable from the tap. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include A1, Telenor, and Vivacom offering good prepaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like UniCredit Bulbank and First Investment Bank offer services tailored for expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, hotels, and long-term rentals through sites like Imot.bg. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in most places. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Nestpick provide numerous options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Hostel Mostel offer affordable stays. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The city center (Sredets district) is recommended for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Lozenets and Vitosha neighborhoods offer great co-working spaces, cafes, and a vibrant atmosphere. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeMove and SOHO provide great environments for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Veda House and City Cafe are known for their work-friendly atmospheres. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check out Meetup.com for local tech and digital nomad meetups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups on Facebook, like Sofia Expats, regularly host social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and TaxiMe are popular ride-hailing apps in Sofia. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Services like Lime and Colibri offer e-scooter rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Varna Beach is the closest major beach, approximately 2.5 hours away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Bulgarian Air Charter operates several regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Bulgaria Air and Ryanair provide multiple international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A1 and A2 highways is straightforward. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Sofia Central Railway Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for public transport cost around 50 BGN. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Sofia to nearby cities like Plovdiv and Varna. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Tokuda Hospital is a leading facility in Sofia. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Studio Euphoria and Yogi offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | FitWell and Pulse Fitness have locations throughout the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Lavena are available for laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and Takeaway.com are popular choices for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Banitsa (cheese pastry) is a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Sun Moon and The Little Things offer plant-based menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sugar and Sweets and Café Gusto have delightful desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit the Central Market Hall for budget-friendly food shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Emag.bg and Alza.bg are popular platforms for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Online grocery services include Tesco and Carrefour. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around Vitosha Boulevard is vibrant for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Sveti Nikola Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Sasa Asian Pub and Sense Hotel's wine bar are notable spots. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The streets around Women’s Market offer various street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Diners can enjoy Italian at Sasa Asian Pub or sushi at Tsu. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the National Palace of Culture are must-visit spots. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of History and the Sofia City Art Gallery showcase the region's culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex offers insights into Sofia's past. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. George Rotunda and Boyana Church are important religious landmarks. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Sofia Tech Park hosts the annual Sofia Startup Festival. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The area around Vitosha Boulevard is great for culture and dining. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is the principal theatre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Central Market Hall is known for local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Clubs like Terminal 1 host live music events frequently. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The streets of Sofia are filled with creative murals and graffiti. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary courses at the Sofia Culinary School offer local cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | 365 Creative Space and Spatial are popular among art aficionados. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Banya Bashi Mosque is a notable historical building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The yellow bricks on Vitosha Boulevard represent Bulgarian heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Vitosha Mountain offers hiking and skiing opportunities just outside the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Rila Monastery and Rila National Park are accessible within a few hours. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Borisova Gradina Park has numerous pathways for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Boyana Waterfall provides beautiful views and hiking trails. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Dragalevtsi Monastery area is popular with birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas of Vitosha Mountain allow campfires in designated zones. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Bulgarian Posts offer extensive delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Several shops in Sofia like MTel provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports centers like Sport Palace have public table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutions like the British Council offer language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library is a quiet place to read and study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Cultural centers like The Central House of Architects host various events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming hubs like Arena Gaming allow for competitive gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Palace offers table games and slot machines. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €48,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €90,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 10% standard corporate tax. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% for dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Flat tax system with personal income tax at a rate of 10%. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% flat tax rate on income. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Bulgaria follows CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax of about 0.15%. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% property transaction tax. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Low taxation rates make Bulgaria attractive for digital nomads. |