CURRENCY
The monetary unit in the Republic of Bulgaria is the LEV (BGN), which is equal to 100 STOTINKI (st.) 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN.
You can find current currency information on the site of the Bulgarian National Bank.
Currency can be exchanged at banks or at any of the country’s many currency exchange offices. Some of these exchange offices also work on holidays. Euro-cheques can be exchanged in banks.
Credit cards: Most Bulgarian hotels and stores accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club credit cards.
TICKETS AND CARDS
The price of the single one-way ticket for the local transportation in Sofia is 1.60 BGN and a daily card is 4 BGN.
As an Erasmus student you can purchase a transportation card with student discount, valid for all lines of the public transportation in Sofia. The monthly price of the card is 21.50 BGN for BA and MA students and 35.00 BGN for PhD students. The card is issued in the offices of the Urban Mobility Centre located in various points throughout the whole city.
Required documents for a transportation card with student discount:
- a national ID or a passport;
- a passport-size photo;
- an application form (included in your welcome packages) – please ask an Erasmus buddy or a Bulgarian friend to help you fill it in, as the form is required in Bulgarian language by the Urban Mobility Centre;
- an ISIC SU card.
For more information you can visit the website of the Urban Mobility Centre in Sofia (https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/).
TRANSPORTATION
-
Matropolitan -
Bus -
Taxi
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 1.60 BGN
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 50.00 BGN
Monthly Pass (BA and MA Student discount) 21.50 BGN
Monthly Pass (PhD Student discount) 35.50 BGN
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 2.90 BGN
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 1.25 BGN
Gasoline (1 litter) 2.80 BGN
RENT PER MONTH
Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre 700.00 BGN
Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre 550.00 BGN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre 1100.00 BGN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre 900.00 BGN
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 apartment 170.00 BGN
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.32 BGN
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 15.00 BGN
FOOD
Food coupon for any of the student canteens (a three-course meal): 2-3 BGN
Inexpensive Restaurant 12.00 BGN
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 60-70.00 BGN
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 12-15.00 BGN
Domestic Beer (0.5 litter draught) 2.00 BGN
Imported Beer (0.33 litter bottle) 3.00 BGN
Cappuccino (regular) 3.00 BGN
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litter bottle) 1.50 BGN
Water (0.33 litter bottle) 1.00 BGN
MARKETS
Milk (regular), 1 litter 2.80 BGN
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 2.00 BGN
Rice (1kg) 2.70 BGN
Eggs (12) 4.00 BGN
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.00 BGN
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 15 BGN
Apples (1kg) 2.50 BGN
Oranges (1kg) 3.00 BGN
Tomato (1kg) 3.00 BGN
Potato (1kg) 2.00 BGN
Lettuce (1 head) 1.20 BGN
Water (1.5 litter bottle) 1.30 BGN
SPORTS AND LEASURE
Fitness club, monthly fee for 1 adult 70.00 BGN
Tennis court rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 17.75 BGN
Cinema ticket 16 BGN
Theatre/opera ticket 30-35 BGN
MOBILE OPERATORS
Three big companies provide mobile services in Bulgaria: Vivacom, A1 and Telenor.
You have two options when it comes to paying for your mobile communications:
- Pre-Paid Services(pay-as-you-go) – For purchase and registration of a pre-paid SIM card, you must visit an office of a mobile operator. The pre-paid SIM card is the best choice for a short stay in Bulgaria. Required documents: national ID or a passport
- Post-Paid Services (contract services) –For purchase and registration of a post-paid SIM card, you will be asked to sign a contract with the mobile operator, valid for 12 or 24 months. Required documents: proof of residence, national ID or a passport
NB: Since 15.06.2017 the EU has ended roaming surcharges for all EU citizens who travel periodically within the EU and people pay only domestic charges. Please check the roaming conditions of your home mobile operator.
SOCIAL LIFE
Bulgarians love to have long coffee breaks with friends that can sometimes last more than 2 hours. It’s great to catch up and take our time indulging in doing things like going to the cinema which only costs around 3 to 5 euros. If you’re feeling like doing something a little fancier a ticket to the theater can be found for 5 to 10 euros.
There are a lot of night clubs in Bulgaria simply because Bulgarians know how to party. The clubs are full every night and on Fridays and Saturdays it’s almost impossible to find a seat. If you want to experience the Bulgarian nightlife you should budget around 10-20 euros.