So why would you move to Bulgaria ...?

As more and more people are planning to leave the UK for a new life overseas, we find out why the new wave of expats are choosing to settle in Bulgaria

In the past twelve years, more than 2.1 million British citizens have moved abroad at an average rate of around 190,000 each year. For 2010, though, this number is set to explode as record numbers of people are planning to leave because of Britain's soaring crime rates, disastrous economy and rotten weather.

Research carried out by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in January has revealed that just over four in ten people in their fifties are considering moving abroad to find a better lifestyle. Spain and France are traditionally the favourite destinations for British expats, but a growing number of people are now choosing to move to Bulgaria. The question is, why? What does Bulgaria offer to those seeking a new life overseas? What are people finding here that is better than at "home"?

Over the past few months, we have been carrying out an informal survey amongst the expats and visitors that we meet in Bulgaria. We wanted to get as close as possible to the issues that matter at a personal level so we asked people to list the main reasons that prompted (or would prompt) them to choose Bulgaria as their new home and then discounted the two major benefits of moving to another EU member country, namely: that those who move can now have their UK pension paid straight into a bank account of their choice, and that they also qualify for free healthcare. We recognise that this is a bit of a straw poll exercise and that there is little scientific rigour to our research. Nevertheless, we think that the findings might surprise you. So, in ascending order, here are the top five reasons that people quoted as their triggers for deciding to settle in Bulgaria …

Reason 5: The weather
While the weather is always a topic of interest and conversation, we did not really think that it had a chance of making our hot-list. Enough expats, though, commented that Bulgaria's four distinct seasons - a blooming spring, a typically Mediterranean summer, a long and pleasant autumn and a crisp, clear winter, together with the reliable year-round climate - were sufficiently important to register as one of the main factors in their decision-making.

Reason 4: Social and Family Values
The general recognition is that there is a deep social and cultural core to life in Bulgaria that embraces religion, family, tradition and heritage and is reflected with pride in everything from holidays and festivals, to song and dance, to national dress and jewellery, to food and drink. Many people living in Bulgaria today often say that they are reminded of Britain in the fifties, when children were safe, life was straightforward and people cared about each other. While this may be something of a rose-tinted view, it is true to say that just about every expat would acknowledge that their experience of living in Bulgaria has been made easier, better and more comfortable because of the friendship and assistance of their neighbours.

Reason 3: Lifestyle and Living
The benefits of life in Bulgaria appear to be widely recognised by both expats and visitors. Along with traditional lifestyle factors such as: the climate, the beaches, the mountains and the beautiful countryside, low prices, family values and friendly neighbours, we found a significant level of comment about the time and opportunity that people had found to enjoy the things that were either too remote or too expensive for them in the UK. This list included: golf, walking in the mountains, horse-riding, fishing, football, painting, bird-watching, photography, opera, theatre, music, concerts and cinema. Life in the towns and cities was also considered and, while busier and more dynamic than the laid-back lifestyle of a rural village, people still found more time to spend in the home or pottering around the garden, with evening strolls to enjoy the café-culture, people-watching or simply sitting and watching the sun go down over a glass of home-made wine.

Reason 2: Finance and Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Bulgaria is less than half of that in the UK. While some items, such as petrol at around 2 BGN (Bulgarian Leva) or £0.95 a litre, are relatively expensive, direct price comparisons of non-imported food, clothing, electrical goods and furniture generally reflect around 40 to 45% of UK costs, with utility bills and municipal tax (council tax) at an even lower level. No matter how attractive the cost of living might be, though, it's not a good idea to come to Bulgaria without a source of income but, having said that, the fact is that many expats are pleasantly surprised at just how easy it is to live comfortably on a British pension or to find ways of generating an income to fund their new lifestyle.

Reason 1: Freedom from Stress
Many people expressed feelings of hopelessness and disillusionment because they believe that Britain has lost its national identity and is unrecognisable from the country they grew up in. Rising crime rates, violence and antisocial behaviour, fear of unemployment, declining standards of education and the worsening economic situation which has already seen the cost of living soar, the value of the pound plummet and interest rates on savings all but disappear, are quoted as the main problems of life in Britain today. Coming to Bulgaria from this typically stressful environment in the UK almost invariably brings about a significant change in peoples' attitude. The most common types of statement that we encountered were along the lines of ... "it's like a weight being lifted off my shoulders" and "life is simpler here - and better for it". Clearly, life in Bulgaria is not without its problems but for most people, it seems that the benefits more than outweigh the inevitable differences and disadvantages.

And now it's over to you …
So far, our study has covered only the relatively small number of people with whom we come into contact on a day-to-day basis ... but now we want to extend it. We want to hear from everybody who has already moved to Bulgaria - and everybody who is thinking about coming to live here. Do you agree with the top five hot-list? Do you have different reasons? What's important to you?

Let us know by e-mail to Moving to BG survey

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Education in Bulgaria

In this post, we explore how the Bulgarian educational system operates; how students access and progress through it; and how it compares with - and differs from - the education with which expats and their children may be more familiar ...

Structure and Background:
The Bulgarian constitution states that: everyone, including citizens from EU and EEA countries who are living and working in the country, shall have the right to free education in state and municipal schools. This means that the only costs for which parents are asked to pay for their children’s schooling in Bulgaria are textbooks, stationery and school field trips.

Bulgaria’s school year starts on September 15 (or the following Monday if this date falls on a weekend) and comprises two terms, finishing in late May or early June. School attendance up to the age of 16 is compulsory and the educational system covers three levels: pre-school education, basic and secondary education and higher education. Pre-school education includes children from age 3 to 6 / 7. Nursery school attendance is optional. Basic education (grades 1 to 8) comprises primary school (grades 1 to 4) and pre-secondary school (grades 5 to 8). This can be attained at state owned, municipal and private schools. After successful completion of grade 4, a Certificate of Primary Education is issued, while a Certificate of Basic Education is issued after successful completion of grade 8.

Secondary education (grades 9 to 12 / 13) is divided into comprehensive, profile-oriented or vocational categories and is provided by comprehensive, profile-oriented or technical / vocational schools, together with a number of specialised and professional schools offering programmes such as the International Baccalaureat and / or vocational qualifications. After successful completion of secondary education a Diploma of Secondary Education is issued, together with a Certificate for Professional Qualification as appropriate. Holders of these qualifications are entitled to continue their education to a higher educational level, without restriction as to the choice of establishment. Admission to higher education institutions is based on interview and entrance examinations.

Table 1: Structure of Educational System

The Curriculum:
When students move to the level of secondary education, their studies and their curriculum becomes more specialised and are directed towards their particular programme or profile, namely: professional, technical or vocational. Before this, though, during their progression from Grade 1 to Grade 8, all students follow a standard, national curriculum as detailed by the Ministry of Education …

Table 2: The Curriculum - Grades 1 to 8

Educational Outcomes and Achievements:
The grading system for all schools is based on a six-point scale, from fair to excellent but students are not ranked against their peers. Students’ move from grade to grade by age and their progress through each level of the educational system is recognised through the award of a national Certificate or Diploma upon successful completion of the academic programme at the relevant level. The awards at each educational level can be summarised …

Primary School
Length of programme: 4 years
Age level: from 6 / 7 to 10
Award: Certificate of Primary Education

Basic School
Length of programme: 4 years
Age level: from 10 to 14
Award: Certificate of Basic Education

Comprehensive Secondary School
Length of programme: 4 years
Age level: from 14 to 18
Award: Diploma of Secondary Education

Vocational-technical school
Length of programme: 3 years
Age level: from 14 to 18 / 19
Awards: Diploma of Secondary Education & Certificate for Professional Qualification

Profile Orientated Secondary School
Length of programme: 5 years
Age level: from 14 to 19
Award: Diploma of Secondary Education

Professional school
Length of programme: 2 years
Age level: from 14 to 16
Award: Certificate for Professional Qualification

College and University
Length of programme: 3 to 5 years
Age level: from 18 / 19 to 21+
Award: Degree or Professional Qualification

Accessing the Education System:
Responsibility for the delivery of education rests with a partner network of central government, local authorities and heads or principals of individual schools / colleges. Accordingly, the starting point for new parents is to set up a meeting with the head of the local school. Even though children will probably not start at their new school until the following September, which is the only intake date used by most schools, this initial meeting should be arranged as soon as possible after moving to the area. Depending upon the time of year that you move to Bulgaria, this may mean a considerable delay before children join their new school and, while this delay might seem rather unusual, it does provide two significant advantages for foreign children. Firstly, it allows time for concentrated language studies, which will assist learning and integration when school attendance does start and, secondly, it offers an important period of social and (sometimes) emotional adjustment without the pressure of being “thrown in at the deep end”.

A further point to note is that initial entry in September offers the best arrangement for new students to fit in with their year group. Since, schooling in Bulgaria starts at age 7, rather than at 5 years as in the UK and western Europe, it is quite common for new foreign students to drop back a year so that they are taught with their same age group. Again, this ensures that a new student’s first year is as comfortable and free of pressure as it can be. Having said that, decisions about year group alignment are normally made between parents and the school head with reference to the individual student’s abilities and aptitudes.

Practical Issues:
While there are some structural features unique to Bulgaria’s educational system - eg: school starting age and the award of certificates based on programme completion rather than competitive grading, it is important to recognise that in terms of the fundamental issues such as: the curriculum, progression pathways and the international equivalence and recognition of qualifications, the Bulgarian system is now pretty much on a par with that of other EU countries. However, some of the underpinning reforms introduced in 2007 when Bulgaria joined the EU are still working their way through the system and it is important to note that, like most things in Bulgaria, education should be considered as a developing process, rather than a fixed and static system. In this context there are three current issues that may arise …

1) School Fees:
Historically, foreign children were charged for attending state schools unless they were permanent residents under Bulgarian law. This practice went back for at least 20 years and possibly as long as 60 years and has led to some instances of confusion where foreign nationals have been asked to pay school fees. Following EU accession, though, this law was changed so that children of EU and EEA European Economic Area citizens living in BG do not have to pay. There is case law related to this issue, namely that: … “on 19.03.2008, under Directive 2004/38EC, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science confirmed and acknowledged that EU law has supremacy over National provisions and, in line with the EC Court of Justice case-law, and taking into account the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, it is accepted that EU and EEA citizens shall have the right to free access to compulsory education in Bulgaria. Regional Education Inspectors and school Headmasters in Bulgaria have been informed of this decision”.

So, in the unlikely event that the Head of your local school is still not aware of this and asks you to pay school fees, the fact is that your child’s education is free. (for further information, see: Solvit Report for 2008, Annex 4, page 27: part of the EC Europa programme)

2) Entry Documents:
As indicated above, Bulgarian children moving to a higher level within the educational system will have been awarded a Certificate or Diploma upon completion of the academic programme at their previous level. This means that two Certificates will normally be acquired during progress through primary and secondary education, namely at age 10, a Certificate of Primary Education and at age 14, a Certificate of Basic Education. In addition to being recognition of a student’s achievement, each Certificate or Diploma is also an administrative requirement for progression to the next level. The problem that this generates for many parents is that there are often no equivalent certificates in other EU countries, which means that the new student may not have the necessary school entry level documents. In such cases, it will be necessary for the parents to obtain similar or related documents from their child’s previous school. In the UK, this would mean records of SATs or Key Stage Assessments, together with school reports and attendance records, all certified by the school or education authority. These documents will normally need to be translated and will then be accepted for children up to the age of 13 years joining their Bulgarian school at up to Grade 7. But the situation changes for children aged 14 years and above who will be entering secondary education at Grade 8 or higher. Although the same documents from the previous school will be required, the Head of school may now require that these are translated, notarised and legalised as official documents. The rationale for this is that, because of the more rigorous academic requirements of secondary education, it is considered appropriate to ensure that older, non-Bulgarian speaking foreign students are not simply placed in to the system without formal validation of their previous standard of education.

3) Home Schooling:
At present, home schooling is not normally permitted in Bulgaria. Only certain children with handicaps may study at home and their programme must be approved and integrated with a school. Failure to do this is a criminal offence under Article 47 of the Public Education Act of 1999. However, there are new rules and measures currently under review, including individual education plans and distance learning. Individual plans are tailored to the child’s requirements and can include part home schooling and part attendance. Distance learning is at an experimental stage and may require registration with a school and scheduled consultations with teaching staff. Special, individual learning plans for children with special needs or those considered "talented or gifted" are also under consideration

Summary:
Here, we have specifically addressed only the national, public educational system, rather than private or international fee paying schools. The reason for this is simply that, while private sector education is perfectly feasible, the majority of expat families opt for the state system, usually with additional private tuition during the first few months until their children become comfortable with the language.

And, finally, when planning and making the transition to the new “system”, perhaps the most important point to recognise is that it is often expat parents who are more anxious and concerned than their children. In most cases, the children settle in easily, make new friends, master the language and quickly begin to benefit from their Bulgarian education - so, maybe we should be learning more from them …

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Our Move to Bulgaria ... key issues considered

While there is a wealth of detailed advice about finding and buying the right property in the right location in Bulgaria, there is very little information about what life here is actually like. So, here we consider a number of key issues for expats and explain why the country is now the ideal lifestyle choice for thousands ...

With rising costs of living, falling house prices, lack of mortgage lending and increasing social and economic tensions abroad, many people are considering a permanent move to Bulgaria. And few will regret their decision. The benefits of a Bulgarian life: the climate, the beaches, the mountains and the beautiful countryside, the relaxed lifestyle, friendly neighbours and family values, the low prices, the stable economy and increasing employment opportunities all combine to outweigh the inevitable differences and disadvantages.

So, what are the issues and concerns that impact upon an expat's decision making? What are the key components that need to be in place to underpin the change to a new life in Bulgaria …

Location and Lifestyle:
A city apartment, a house in the suburbs, a new-build in one of the beach or ski resorts, a villa on a golf course or a rambling old rural home in the countryside. The choices are extensive, the options are available and the decision is yours. And for those considering a move to Bulgaria, whether you're looking for cosmopolitan city chic - or a laid-back village lifestyle, it's worth noting that virtually everybody in Bulgaria has direct access to telephone services, mobile phone coverage, high speed internet and cable or satellite TV with local and international channels. Most villages have a post office, local shops, restaurants, petrol stations, a church and a health service or chemist - plus easy and regular transport to the bigger, regional towns with a wider range of amenities such as: shopping centres, supermarkets, internet cafes, cinemas, theatres, bus and train stations, local authority offices, hospitals and schools.

The Cost of Living:
Bulgaria is probably best known for its low property prices but what may be less widely appreciated is that the cost of living here is about a third of that in the UK. While some items, such as petrol at around 1.90 BGN (Bulgarian Leva) or £0.90 a litre, are similar or more expensive, direct price comparisons of non-imported food, clothing, electrical goods and furniture reflect around 30 to 35% of UK costs, with utility bills and municipal tax (council tax) at an even lower level. This year, for instance, the total municipal tax that we paid on our four houses and two plots of land was 240 BGN or about £120.

No matter how attractive the cost of living might be, though, it's not a good idea to come to Bulgaria without a source of income but, having said that, the fact is that many expats are pleasantly surprised at just how easy it is to live comfortably on a British pension or to find ways of generating an income to fund their new lifestyle. And in terms of accumulating cash rather than spending it, the banks offer a wide array of attractive savings account options. A typical fixed term account, for instance, would generate a return of around 7% a year on cash invested for two years, with even higher rates for longer term commitments.

Working in Bulgaria:
Whilst some people are able to live off equity that they have made in the UK or earn an income from renting out their UK properties, in many cases the only way to continue a permanent life out here is to find work. Many expats set up their own companies to run restaurants, bars, hotels and B & B's, while others create viable businesses providing services aimed directly at the expat community. Newspaper publishing, production or import of staple food items not otherwise available here, building renovation and home maintenance services provide just a few examples of well established and successful expat enterprises. And these ventures sit comfortably alongside the host of new opportunities and gaps in the market, which are becoming easier and easier to identify given that the retail, tourism, service and entertainment industries are continuing to expand. On the other hand, some people prefer a more traditional working pattern as an employee with an established organisation, while professionals can now bring their existing skills and experience into the burgeoning IT, banking and business management sectors.

The key point to note is that, as a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), you are free to work in any other EU or EEA country without a work permit as either a salaried employee or a self-employed individual. You will, of course, be required to pay national insurance contributions, either directly through your business accounts or deducted at source along with your income tax if you are employed. The good news is that these contributions (referred to as NOI) are much lower than in the UK (currently around 15 BGN per month for an employee) and income tax is a flat rate of 10% regardless of the amount you earn over and above the non-taxable income threshold (currently 2400 BGN or £1200 per year)

A Relaxed and Slower Pace of Life:
For many people, coming from a typically stressful working environment in the UK means that one of the biggest attractions of Bulgaria is that it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the better things of life: the beach in summer, skiing in the winter, golf, walking in the mountains, horse-riding, fishing, football; painting, photography, bird-watching; opera, theatre, music; clubs, concerts, cinema - it's all here. On the other hand, you could spend your days pottering around the garden and your evenings outside watching the sun go down over a glass of home-made wine, just like your neighbours. Wherever you are in Bulgaria, there is a distinct touch of the old world living alongside the new.

Horses (or donkeys) and carts are still a widely used mode of transport - and you'll see them everywhere, alongside the hard-core 4x4s, the gleaming top of the range Mercedes, Audis and BMWs and the ubiquitous Ladas. Sheep and goats roam freely around the unfenced fields and many people grow their own produce at home. Self sufficiency is a respected standard - but, if you prefer, you can also buy everything you need for a completely modern lifestyle from any of the big supermarkets or shopping malls that are now open for business across the country.

Medical Matters:
Bulgaria's doctors and nurses are extremely well trained and deliver first class medical care despite the poor standard of their facilities. The National Health Service is available to all and is administered across the country by Regional Health Centres. Everybody who works in Bulgaria, including expats, is required to pay health insurance contributions (NOI) and can register with the doctor of their choice, so most people opt for a GP close to home or one that speaks their language. In Bulgaria the doctor's role is to diagnose, treat, prescribe and refer patients to other institutions or professionals within the system. Bulgaria's private health system is often staffed by doctors from the state sector and whilst private clinics and hospitals offer more modern and pleasant environments, they do not necessarily offer better quality care. Private medical fees are high in comparison to the cost of contributions for state medical treatment but notably low in terms of comparable fees in the UK and Europe.

Fortunately, we have only needed to call upon medical services twice in the four years that we have been here. We have used a private clinic, which was fine and offered extremely good value for money and then, about a year ago, I needed an emergency operation, for which my local doctor referred me to the nearest state hospital - actually, he took me there himself because he judged that this would be quicker than calling an ambulance. I am aware that different people report different experiences of the heath service and that there are instances of "under the counter" payments for state service that are supposed to be freely available. All that I can say, though, is that, apart from a distinct lack of hospital building maintenance, I have found everything from diagnosis and treatment, to hygiene and cleanliness, to the skills and professionalism of staff, to the quality of nursing care, to be at least as good as in the UK - if not, in fact, better.

The Economic Base:
Bulgaria boasts one of the healthiest economies in South East Europe and is considered in a positive and favourable light by the international community. The country has experienced strong economic growth over the last seven years, with an annual GDP increase averaging around 6% and high levels of foreign direct investment. There has been a lot of recent media coverage of the EU's harsh line in withholding funds because of Bulgaria's poor housekeeping and lack of transparency in the spending of EU grants.

While the EU's accusations of corruption and fraud in this area are valid, the country is making great efforts to improve and, to overcome this legacy of Communism, the administration has recently instituted a raft of new monitoring programmes in conjunction with Brussels, which now account for every Euro spent. The EU is playing a significant role in shaping Bulgaria's political and judicial systems to ensure that the ordinary citizens of the country benefit fully from EU membership and significant progress is being made, albeit at a somewhat slower pace than it should be.

Bulgaria is set to adopt the Euro in 2009 or 2010 and will also become part of the Schengen zone around this time, which will lead to even easier access for all EU citizens. The average Bulgarian wage is currently 684 BGN (around £340) per month but many families take home much less than this and subsequently have little to spend on luxuries. Generally, this shortage of money and possessions has a positive effect.

Children learn the value of money and respect for what they and others have. It's also important to note that the majority of people own their homes outright, few have mortgages and, as indicated above, the cost of living is relatively low. Overall, standards of living are now improving, wages are rising, consumer choices are expanding and there is a greater availability of credit and financial services. For evidence of these changes, we can usefully consider the benchmark for living standards across the EU, namely: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. In Bulgaria, this has risen by around 14% since 2002 (with 9% of this rise since Bulgaria joined the EU) compared with a 1% rise in UK, France, Spain and Austria and either a static figure or a decline over the same period in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Portugal. (ref: Eurostat Yearbook 2008 - sect 3: Economy)

Bulgaria is not the UK:
Perhaps the most important lesson that we have learned - and, therefore, the most important advice that we can pass on - is to recognise that life in Bulgaria is not the same as life in the UK. There is little value in drawing comparisons with any of the thousand and one things that everyone in Britain is used to and takes for granted.

Things happen differently in Bulgaria. Broken pavements and potholes in the roads have to be accepted, customer service is still in its infancy and to cope with the paper trail for everyday activities such as renewing your home and contents insurance or registering a change of car ownership, it's best to write off the whole day. While Bulgarians are (quite rightly) noted for being open and friendly people, you will not be given any special treatment here just because you are a foreigner, so don't expect all documents to be available in English or to be exempt from complying with local administrative issues and bye-laws.

Many people living in Bulgaria today often say that they are reminded of Britain in the fifties, when children were safe, life was straightforward and neighbours helped neighbours. While this may be a bit of a rose-tinted view, it is true to say that just about every expat would acknowledge that they have benefited greatly from a neighbours' assistance. It's also true that there is none of the pervasive nanny-state interference that a lot of expats actually want to leave behind - and this is one of the things that adds to Bulgaria's appeal.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway