This final instructional module prepares you for the practical aspects of arriving and settling in Bulgaria. We'll cover essential language for border control, filling out official forms, and navigating the housing market, finishing with a final project to bring all your skills together.
Arriving at the border can be stressful if you're not prepared. The key is to have your documents ready and answer the officer's questions clearly and concisely.
Cultural Note: Entering Bulgaria
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria's entry requirements differ based on your citizenship.
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: You can enter Bulgaria with just a valid national ID card or passport and can stay for up to three months. For longer stays, you must register with the local Migration Directorate office.
Non-EU Citizens (e.g., UK, USA): You will need a valid passport. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter for up to 90 days as a tourist without a visa. For longer stays, work, or study, you must apply for a Type D visa from a Bulgarian embassy or consulate before you travel.
Border officials (граничен полицай) are generally professional but direct. Answer their questions simply and honestly.
Essential Vocabulary at the Border
English
Bulgarian
passport / ID card
паспорт / лична карта
visa / residence permit
виза / разрешение за пребиваване
purpose of visit
цел на посещението
tourism / business / study
туризъм / бизнес / учене
duration of stay
продължителност на престоя
return ticket
двупосочен билет
Common Questions and Answers
Officer:Паспорт, моля. (Passport, please.)
You:Заповядайте. (Here you are.)
Officer:Каква е целта на посещението Ви? (What is the purpose of your visit?)
You:Туризъм. (Tourism.) / Бизнес. (Business.)
Officer:Колко време ще останете? (How long will you stay?)
You:Една седмица. (One week.)
Officer:Къде сте отседнали? (Where are you staying?)
You:Имам резервация в хотел... (I have a reservation at hotel...)
Border control is a simple script. Have your documents in hand and your answers ready.
The "Big Three" Questions you MUST be able to answer:
WHY are you here? → Туризъм. (Tourism.) or Бизнес. (Business.)
HOW LONG are you staying? → ... дни / седмици. (... days / weeks.)
WHERE are you staying? → В хотел... (In hotel...) or При приятели. (With friends.)
Your Most Important Phrase: If you don't understand, say politely: "Извинете, не разбирам. Говорите ли английски?" (Excuse me, I don't understand. Do you speak English?).
The Big Idea: Be prepared, be polite, and keep your answers short and simple. The officer's job is just to verify your reason for visiting.
Day 57: Forms and Declarations
Whether it's an arrival card, a registration form, or a customs declaration, you'll need to understand the key fields. Bulgarian bureaucracy can be very particular, so accuracy is important.
Understanding Form Fields
These are the most common fields you'll encounter on official documents.
English
Bulgarian
First Name / Family Name
Име / Фамилия
Date of Birth
Дата на раждане
Place of Birth
Място на раждане
Nationality
Гражданство
Passport Number
Номер на паспорт
Personal Number (EGN/LNCh)
ЕГН / ЛНЧ
Address in Bulgaria
Адрес на престой в България
Signature
Подпис
Customs Declarations
At customs (митница), you may need to declare certain items.
Officer:Имате ли нещо за деклариране? (Do you have anything to declare?)
If no:Нямам нищо за деклариране. (I have nothing to declare.)
If yes:Да, имам... (Yes, I have...)
...алкохол. (...alcohol.)
...цигари. (...cigarettes.)
...пари в брой над лимита. (...cash over the limit.)
A Note on Personal Numbers
Official life in Bulgaria revolves around a personal identification number.
ЕГН (Единен граждански номер): The 10-digit Unique Civil Number for Bulgarian citizens.
ЛНЧ (Личен номер на чужденец): The 10-digit Personal Number for Foreigners, which you receive when you are granted a residence permit. You will need this number for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, getting a mobile phone plan, etc.
Forms look scary, but they always ask for the same basic information.
The "Big Five" Fields to Recognize:
Име (First Name)
Фамилия (Family Name)
Дата на раждане (Date of Birth)
Гражданство (Nationality)
Номер на паспорт (Passport Number)
Customs in 10 Seconds: The officer will ask "Anything to declare?". If you have nothing, just say "Нямам нищо за деклариране." (I have nothing to declare.). This is the most common answer.
The Big Idea: Learn to recognize the "Big Five" fields. At customs, your go-to phrase is "I have nothing to declare."
Day 58: Housing and Settling In
Finding a place to live involves understanding rental ads, communicating with agents, and knowing the key terms of a rental contract.
Cultural Note: The Bulgarian Rental Market
When looking for an apartment (апартамент) to rent, keep these points in mind:
Room Counting: A "one-bedroom" apartment is called a two-room apartment (двустаен апартамент) because Bulgarians count the living room as a room. A studio is a гарсониера.
Agents (Брокери): Most rentals are handled by real estate agents (брокери). It's common for the tenant to pay the agent a commission, typically equal to half or one full month's rent.
Contracts (Договори): Always insist on a written rental contract (договор за наем). This should outline the rent, deposit, duration, and notice period.
Deposits (Депозит): A deposit of one month's rent is standard. It should be returned to you at the end of the tenancy, assuming no damages.
Housing Vocabulary
English
Bulgarian
rent (noun) / deposit
наем / депозит
contract / bills (utilities)
договор / сметки (консумативи)
furnished / unfurnished
обзаведен / необзаведен
landlord / tenant
наемодател / наемател
real estate agent
брокер на недвижими имоти
Key Questions for Renting
Обаждам се за обявата. (I'm calling about the ad.)
Колко е наемът на месец? (How much is the monthly rent?)
Какви са допълнителните сметки? (What are the additional bills?)
Какъв е размерът на депозита? (What is the size of the deposit?)
Кога можем да направим оглед? (When can we do a viewing?)
Renting seems complex, but it boils down to four key questions before you even see the place.
Your Four Questions for the Phone Call:
Колко е наемът? (How much is the rent?)
Какъв е депозитът? (What is the deposit?)
Сметките включени ли са? (Are the bills included?) – The answer is almost always no!
Кога може да го видим? (When can we see it?)
The Big Idea: Get the key financial details (rent, deposit, bills) over the phone first. If the numbers work for you, then schedule a viewing (оглед). This saves you a lot of time.
Day 59: Cultural Tips and Review
Let's review some key cultural points and polite phrases that will make your interactions smoother and more pleasant as you settle into life in Bulgaria.
Polite Forms Review
Using these phrases shows respect and makes a great impression.
May I...?Може ли...?
Would you...?Бихте ли...?
Excuse me / SorryИзвинете / Съжалявам
Here you are / You're welcomeЗаповядайте / Пак заповядайте
Key Cultural Reminders
Head Gestures: Remember, a side-to-side shake often means "yes," and a nod can mean "no." It can be confusing, so listen to the words!
Name Days: Don't forget that Имен ден can be a bigger deal than a birthday.
Gifts for Hosts: Never arrive at someone's home empty-handed. A bottle of wine, flowers, or chocolates is standard.
Directness: Bulgarians can be more direct in their communication than people from some other cultures. This is not meant to be rude, but rather efficient and honest.
Day 60: Final Project
This is your chance to bring together everything you have learned over the past 60 days. The goal is to prepare and deliver a short, structured talk on a practical topic entirely in Bulgarian.
Your Task: Prepare a 3-Minute Presentation
Choose one of the following scenarios and prepare a short talk. Write down 5–6 bullet points to guide you, but try to speak freely rather than reading a script.
Scenario 1: My First Week in Bulgaria. Describe your (hypothetical) arrival. Mention the border, finding your hotel, a meal you ate, and one thing you plan to do next.
Scenario 2: Renting an Apartment. Describe the type of apartment you are looking for. Formulate the questions you would ask an agent about rent, bills, and the contract. State what is important for you in a home.
Scenario 3: A Guide for a Newcomer. Give advice to a friend who is coming to Bulgaria for the first time. Mention one cultural tip, one place to visit, one food to try, and one useful phrase to know.
Goal: Speak for 2–3 minutes, record yourself, and listen back. Check for your use of different tenses, correct adjective agreement, and clear structure. Most importantly, be proud of how far you've come!
Congratulations on finishing the course! 🎉
Hundreds of hours of work have gone into researching, writing, and building this free resource. If you've found it valuable on your journey to learning Bulgarian, please consider showing your appreciation.
Even a token cup of coffee shows that all the hard work is valued and helps support future projects. Благодаря и успех!
