Sofia, Bulgaria
Editor
March 12, 2023
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. With its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and low cost of living, it's no wonder why so many digital nomads are flocking to the city. According to a recent survey, Sofia is the third most popular destination for digital nomads in Europe, behind Prague and Berlin. The city offers a wide range of activities and attractions, from its many museums and galleries to its lively nightlife. The cost of living in Sofia is also very affordable, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing around €400. Additionally, the city has excellent public transportation, making it easy to get around. With its strong internet connection, Sofia is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to work remotely. With its rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and affordable cost of living, Sofia is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to explore a new city.
Living in Sofia, Bulgaria: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
70%
Quality of life -
30%
Cost of living -
61%
Connectivity -
76%
Weather
54
General
| Currency | BGN |
| Population (in millions) | 1.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 135 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Lozenets, Sofia City |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 70 |
| Top selling local beer | Zagorka |
| Most popular local dish | Shopska |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, Vitosha Mountain |
| Discount airline | Wizz Air |
| Major airline | Bulgaria Air |
| Largest ride sharing company | Bolt |
| Primary train stations | Sofia Central Station, Gorna Banya Station, Knyazhevo Station |
| Primary airports | Sofia Airport, Plovdiv Airport, Varna Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 15000 BGN |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Bulgaria Mall, 117 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia 1784, Bulgaria |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 40 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C,F |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Technopolis |
| Best internet carrier | Vivacom |
| Primary cellular carrier | Telenor |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 40 BGN |
Shopping
| The best drug store | PharmaCity |
| Best restaurant chain | Happy Bar & Grill |
| The best grocery store | Billa |
| The most popular fashion brand | H&M |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $14,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14000 |
| Sales tax rate | 20% |
| Income tax rate | 10% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 BGN |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | UniCredit Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Becoming more common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 112 (general), 166 (police), 160 (ambulance), 150 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 2,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 25 |
| Main religion | Orthodox |
Quality of life
70%
-
58%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
87%
Property to income -
42%
Crime -
58%
Healthcare -
76%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | BGN 1,917 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 3.21% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | BGN 820 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | BGN 14,202 |
Cost of living
30%
-
Purchasing Power
60%
-
Rent
13%
-
Food
41%
-
Restaurant
44%
-
Workspace
69%
-
Transport
30%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | BGN 864.51 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | BGN 658.57 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | BGN 1,538.54 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | BGN 1,040.57 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | BGN 28.50 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | BGN 3.17 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | BGN 1.85 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | BGN 5.84 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | BGN 20.35 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | BGN 1.16 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | BGN 10.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | BGN 1.62 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | BGN 2.85 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | BGN 6.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | BGN 14.33 |
| Apples (1kg) | BGN 2.59 |
| Oranges (1kg) | BGN 2.83 |
| Potato (1kg) | BGN 1.70 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | BGN 1.65 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | BGN 3.62 |
| Tomato (1kg) | BGN 4.10 |
| Banana (1kg) | BGN 3.16 |
| Onion (1kg) | BGN 1.63 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | BGN 21.70 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | BGN 20.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | BGN 80.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | BGN 12.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | BGN 4.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | BGN 5.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | BGN 2.43 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | BGN 1.72 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | BGN 3.85 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | BGN 240.66 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | BGN 0.34 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | BGN 23.70 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | BGN 56.27 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | BGN 28.50 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | BGN 15.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | BGN 1.60 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | BGN 50.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | BGN 3.14 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | BGN 45,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | BGN 44,166.67 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | BGN 2.20 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | BGN 1.20 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | BGN 18.00 |