One of the most common questions I get asked is What is the healthcare like in Bulgaria? And for many people thinking of moving to Bulgaria it is a common concern.
Luckily for you (and maybe not so lucky for me), I am able to give firsthand experience and share a really useful tip that even most Bulgarians are not aware of.
Discover everything you need to know about securing a D Visa for Bulgaria, from application tips to required documents.
Forget waiting lists or hanging on the phone for hours waiting to book an appointment weeks from now. Here in Ruse, you just turn up at the surgery and generally walk straight in to see the doctor. Even most villages have a doctor’s surgery.
There are no repeat prescriptions, you just get your meds at the local pharmacy using your original prescription. Even if you pay into the national healthcare system you still have to pay, usually about 3 leva or just over a pound to see the doctor.
Wondering where international residents are moving in Bulgaria? Check out this article for a breakdown of the most popular regions.
Before making your move, connect with a trusted real estate expert in Bulgaria who can walk you through everything you need to know. With tailored financing options available, your dream property might be closer than you think.
The standard of healthcare can vary enormously between regions so do your research, but generally most large cities have Hospitals that specialise in different ailments, so in some cases you may end up having to travel to the next city for treatment.
Pleven is regarded as having some of the best hospitals in the country and has a large medical university. So if you need regular or specialist treatment then Pleven is a great place to live, and not just because of the medical treatment.
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Pleven. Pleven is one of the places that everybody loves and in this guide, we find out what makes Pleven so great, as well as some things to be aware of.
In recent years, I have had need of using a couple of hospitals and the emergency ambulance service has always been very quick and efficient. Even out in the village the paramedics have been here within 20 minutes.
Last year, I suffered a minor stroke, from the time of calling the ambulance to being admitted to the ward was 20 minutes. I was the only patient in a six-bed ward, the beds were clean, and there was a television, a private bathroom, and a lovely view out over the Danube.
The doctors and nurses were super attentive and all spoke good English. 3 meals a day were served. OK, they were not Gordon Ramsay quality, but were edible. The Hospitals are not straight out of Grand Designs, there may be the odd light bulb that doesn’t work, and generally they could do with a lick of paint and tidy up, but the care is immediate, which in my book is far more important.
Again, you need to pay for the hospital stay. I was in for just over 2 weeks and paid around a fiver a night including MRI scans, all the other tests they performed, and my medication.
Find out if your budget fits by exploring life costs in Bulgaria.
The aftercare has been thorough, with assessments every two weeks. Seeing two specialists costs about four pounds a visit for both.
Many hospitals may look dated but they have state-of-the-art equipment, with many having equipment that is not generally available in the UK.
So all in all I would say that you should have no concerns about hospitals if you are moving to Bulgaria.
What's the Average Cost of Living in Bulgaria
Following an accident many years ago I have prosthetics. I managed to break one and therefore had to seek out a dentist, not my most favourite thing to do.
Again, no waiting list, no appointment, just turn up at the dental practice. The city dental practices were very clean and modern with all the latest equipment, but for me the cost of treatment seemed very high with an x-ray being about forty pounds and an extraction about 80 pounds.
Shopping around I found a place that did X-rays for just fifteen pounds and treatment was half of what I had previously been quoted. So shop around, there are always bargains to be had. I then discovered a little-known secret that even most Bulgarians are not aware of.
The Dental Universities offer treatment performed by final year students for their exams.
The facilities are spotless and modern, and all treatment is carried out under the watchful eyes of a professor. Many UK dental students come here to study because they cannot get such training in the UK and even the professors speak good English. Including an initial assessment, x-rays, 5 extractions, and all new prosthetics, I paid just over 90 pounds!
The following cities have dental universities offering dental treatment for free (for children) or at a ridiculously low cost:
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Sofia. In this guide, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of moving to the Capital City of Bulgaria - Sofia Dental University
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Plovdiv. In this guide, we look at what is great and not so great about this amazingly historical city - Plovdiv Dental University
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Varna. If you long to live by the sea and in a modern and vibrant city surrounded by amazing small coastal villages then Varna could be your dream - Varna Dental University
So, that is my personal experience of healthcare in Bulgaria and it is another question that you can tick off your list of things to know about moving to Bulgaria.
Be sure to check out our blog for more tips and guides on every aspect of moving to this amazing country!
If you are still interested in moving to Bulgaria, then you must read: See how foreigners can buy real estate in Bulgaria
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