Erm1ntrude
English expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
27
About me
English
Registration: 09 November 2023
Activity
Cost of living in Bulgaria in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Bulgaria, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Bulgaria or already living ...
As I retired early, I decided to record all expenditure to check that my money will last until I shuffle off this mortal coil.I've looked at the period from when we moved to our village house May 2023.We spend on average 208 lev per day == 6,344 lev ... Read More
MoT in Bulgaria
My car just passed it's first MoT (Technical Inspection) since it's KAT registration last year.The test comprised of:Front wheel brake test on rollersRear Wheel brake test on rollersHand brake test on rollersFront and rear lights and indicators.A 30 ... Read More
How many Lev would I need for a week by Adelemolloy
How much money Lev would I need for a week. We're half board.
@AdelemolloyI'm flying back to the uk next week for a funeral in London, how many stab vests should I take, half bored. Read More
no water in the village by megs44
hi we have had no water in our village for nearly 5 days , does anyone know anything thanks
@megs44go to the water company's websitethey're normally pretty good at advertising planned outages and major shortageswhen house hunting, this was a first question when talking to locals, and many days without water in summer was a recurring theme ... Read More
Upsides to living in Bulgaria.... by JimJ
It's been another scorching day and the forecast is for it to get MUCH hotter!We're about to sit down to dinner, much of which has just come straight out of our garden: baked courgettes* and red peppers; tomato and cucumber salad; Greek tzatziki ...
Seconded!Only been here for 2 years now but still loving it.Today we took a 160 km trip to Burgas then down the coast all the way to the Turkish Border at Rezovo. A pleasant small uncrowded beach. A river separates the two countries. Back up the ... Read More
Vehicle import by jasmith837
Morning all. After a fruitless search I've turned to the oracle. As I understand it, I can bring a vehicle when I move to Bulgaria. The question is can my wife also bring her own vehicle? We both have motorcycles and we'd like to try and bring ...
@Murdjo correct Read More
Stocks and Shares and ISAs by Erm1ntrude
Does anyone use a UK based App/Broker share dealing service, openly declaring that you are resident in Bulgaria?I use Freetrade, the registered address I use is my daughter's.Apparently if I change my address to Bulgaria, they cannot keep me as a ...
Thanks all and @gwynj (yes, the cat's out of the bag) I'm honing in on a couple of Bulgarian brokers that are affiliated with the EU market players (but not in BG yet). I can transfer my holdings (not the ISA) if the BG firms can accept them, still ... Read More
Stocks and Shares and ISAs
Does anyone use a UK based App/Broker share dealing service, openly declaring that you are resident in Bulgaria?I use Freetrade, the registered address I use is my daughter's.Apparently if I change my address to Bulgaria, they cannot keep me as a ... Read More
Buying a car in Bulgaria by Holly1
Hi everyone, I live here in bulgaria with a residency, im buying a car that has been imported. It is about an hour from where I live. I understand I have to go to KAT, but what is the procedure? Can I drive the car to KAT in my area without plates? ...
@Holly1I bought a 4x4 from a "dealer" in November, it was an import, with no plates (as are most of the imported cars in the dealer's yard and at the KAT).On conclusion of the sale, he drove us to the insurance office to get the civil liability ... Read More
C1 right removed. by PMWills
Hello and thanks for acceptance to your group.Retired here Bulgaria 10yrs and information You Gov recommends exchange of Uk licence to BG.This was completed two years ago without hassle, just a Visit to Kat Targovishte handed my licence over and 5 ...
@PMWillsQuick question, did you do all the medical tests required (hearing, eyesight, balance etc?)I was cruising until we got to the optician, who whipped out the colourblind numbers test. I failed, but had to see a specialist optician to get a ... Read More
UK Pensions by Erm1ntrude
I will be eligible for my first UK pension payment at the end of February.I've not had any Bulgarian income and don't think I ever will.Will Bulgaria want to tax my pension here?And do I need to declare (in Bulgaria) all my pension incomes in ...
@Hristo Marinovmany thanks Read More
Burgas area property search by BritMickabroad
We are pretty sure we would like to live within 50miles/80kms of Burgas because of the climate, & would like a renovated property with at least 2 bedrooms & some land to grow veggies & keep chickens etc in or near to a nice friendly ...
@BritMickabroadI've posted this link before but was in a random thread so not easy to find, it's a ramble of personal experience and obviously experiences will vary, but imho, worth a 5 minute tea break to ... Read More
UK Pensions by Erm1ntrude
I will be eligible for my first UK pension payment at the end of February.I've not had any Bulgarian income and don't think I ever will.Will Bulgaria want to tax my pension here?And do I need to declare (in Bulgaria) all my pension incomes in ...
@philip Mckaymany! my rabbit hole trip started when trying to shift my personal pension to a SIPP, requiring me to be UK resident, or resident in the UK for tax purposes and not being able to match available classifications of status with reality... ... Read More
UK Pensions by Erm1ntrude
I will be eligible for my first UK pension payment at the end of February.I've not had any Bulgarian income and don't think I ever will.Will Bulgaria want to tax my pension here?And do I need to declare (in Bulgaria) all my pension incomes in ...
@grumpyoldbirdthanks, yes the spreadsheet is being dusted off as I type! but Graham's reply gives me confidence Read More
UK Pensions
I will be eligible for my first UK pension payment at the end of February.I've not had any Bulgarian income and don't think I ever will.Will Bulgaria want to tax my pension here?And do I need to declare (in Bulgaria) all my pension incomes in ... Read More