Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬
#770
42.697702, 23.321735
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, rich in history and culture, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1.24 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 60 Mbps, making it suitable for remote work. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 Bulgarian Lev (BGN) ≈ 0.52 USD, 1 USD ≈ 1.92 BGN. Major banks include UniCredit Bulbank and DSK Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, with good quality and safety standards. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers are A1, Vivacom, and Telenor, offering prepaid SIM cards with good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Revolut, DSK Bank, and UniCredit. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rental agencies, and platforms like Spotahome. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted in most places including metro stations. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local agencies offer various short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Mostel offers beds from €10 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | SOHO, located near the city center, offers flexible working spaces and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Little Things is a cozy café known for its atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups organized by Sofia StartUp Community or Sofia Tech Park. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as Sofia Expats organize regular social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt is the most popular and reliable ride-hailing service. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Sofia offers bike rentals through companies like Sofia Bike and Trottinetka for scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is around 380 km away at Varna, approximately a 4-hour drive. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Bulgaria Air serves major domestic routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Bulgaria operates various international flights connecting Sofia with major cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways such as A1 (Trakia) facilitate travel to other parts of Bulgaria. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The Central Station is the main hub for trains and intercity buses. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for public transport cost about €20. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains connect Sofia with popular destinations like Plovdiv and Rila Monastery. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Pirogov Hospital is one of the leading medical facilities in Sofia. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Sofia offers a variety of classes for beginners and advanced practitioners. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Prime Fitness and Sport Palace are popular gyms with various facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Service washing, located in the city center, offers laundry and dry cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Takeaway.com is widely used for various cuisine deliveries throughout the city. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Banitsa, a traditional Bulgarian pastry made with eggs and cheese. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurant Bistrello offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Park Center Sofia has great options like the dessert shop Sweet House. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Central Market Hall (Tsentralni Hali) provides affordable local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Econt and Speedy both operate online shopping and delivery services. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Pandora and Kaufland offer grocery delivery services in Sofia. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around Vitosha Boulevard is famous for its vibrant nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Sofia's Hill serves local craft beers with brewery tours available. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Villa Vinifera offers a selection of local wines in a cozy setting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street chefs around the city offer banitsa and kebapche, a must-try. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sasa Asian Pub offers a blend of Chinese, Thai and Japanese cuisines. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha Boulevard are iconic landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Sofia City Art Gallery and National Museum of History showcase Bulgarian culture and art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Ancient Serdica archaeological complex is a noteworthy historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Banya Bashi Mosque is a historic mosque located in the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Sofia Jazz Fest takes place every summer, attracting local and international artists. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The area around Lozenets is known for its cultural vibe and artsy scenes. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Ivan Vazov National Theater offers a mix of local and international performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Slaveykov Square book market is famous for its collection of old and new books. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Sofia Live Club showcases a variety of music acts, from jazz to pop. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Zay uchilisha Park features several vibrant murals and street art installations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking School Sofia offers classes to learn preparing traditional Bulgarian dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art Affairs Gallery features contemporary art and promotes local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The National Palace of Culture is a significant landmark and event space. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Bulgarian folklore represents a rich cultural heritage visible in numerous local events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Vitosha Mountain offers hiking trails and stunning views, just 30 minutes from the city center. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Rila National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, approximately 1.5 hours from Sofia. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cycling paths along the Vitosha Boulevard cater to outdoor enthusiasts. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Observatory at Vitosha provides breathtaking panoramic views of Sofia. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lake Pancharevo offers good spots for birdwatching in nature. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated bonfire areas can be found in Vitosha Mountain park. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Speedy and Econt provide reliable parcel delivery services within Bulgaria. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFix offers tech repair services for phones and laptops across Sofia. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local sports centers like Sofia Sports Hall have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The British School offers Bulgarian language classes for all levels. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of Bulgaria is a great place to study with vast resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Sofia Community Center frequently hosts cultural and social events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Zone Sofia caters to gamers with a variety of consoles and PCs. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Sofia offers gaming options from poker to 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. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €56,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €114,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €96,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €120,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 10% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Flat income tax rate of 10% for personal income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% for personal income tax, no additional brackets. |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is applied based on the assessed value, typically around 0.15%. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% of the purchase price for real estate transactions. |