gwynj
Welsh expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
2523
Contacts
60
About me
Welsh
Lives in Bansko, Blagoevgrad
Speaks English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese
Registration: 30 June 2020
Activity
Pitfalls of selling my property by michael 450
I have had an offer to buy my house but some doubts have occurred. The buyers do not have the complete funds to buy outright, so I said I could wait for a period of time (1to2yrs) with a down payment deposit of 10%, which I thought was very ...
@michael 450I think the key risk in Spain (but also in some other places) is that someone who has access/possession, can turn into "okupas" making no payments. They're difficult to remove, and this is perhaps the main reason why folks are so nervous ... Read More
Rhodopes in autumn by AshAdu
Hello there,We are thinking of spending 2 or 3 nights visiting the Rhodopes late October to see scenery and the lovely autumn colours. It looks like its about 3,5 hours drive from Bansko.Has anyone been or does anyone have recommendations on the ...
@AshAduI've been, as the Rodopes are just outside Plovdiv. And they're very scenic.But I'm (churlishly) inclined to say that when you've seen one Bulgarian mountain range, you've seen 'em all. :-) And you're living next to the spectacular Pirin ... Read More
Medical care in Bansko by Sleep Near
Hello, does anyone know of there is a medical clinic open during the off season in Bansko?
@Sleep NearOf course! Got a big chain supermarket(Billa) and its very own rock festival too. It's a civilized little town, innit.There's a couple of doctors/clinics in Bansko, and several in nearby Razlog. Razlog also has a small regional hospital ... Read More
Buying a new car paying cash( not financing) in Bulgaria by TonyFF
My wife and I plan to buy a new RAV4 Woodland Hybrid when it is available in Bulgaria. We will pay in full by bank transfer( cash ). I have no experience with any dealer in Bulgaria ( only in the US but I presume there is not much of a difference- ...
@TonyFFI'd be shocked if a Bulgarian car dealer cares where your money comes from! :-) They'd probably prefer cash rather than Wise, but if they'll accept a card payment or bank transfer, then Wise would work as well as a Bulgarian bank/card.In ... Read More
Property agents that are dependable and honest by duggy38
Hi all , I hope someone can help steer me in the right direction, I have been researching Bulgaria for a while to either buy a property for holidays or a permanent residence. My preference would be in the southern region of Bulgaria, mainly for easy ...
@duggy38If you're buying, it's pretty straightforward: find a property you like, go to the notary and do the legal purchase (and pay the seller). You don't strictly need a solicitor/attorney, and most dodgy dealings occur because the buyer gives a ... Read More
Getting older in Bulgaria by Kath948381
Do I have to return to the UK from my Bulgarian village home as I'm getting older ? I miss the peace and quiet when I have to return to the UK now and then so what do I do when I get older and older, I'm 72 , 73 later in the year.
@Kath948381You certainly don't "have to return" to the UK if you have legal residence here. Many do because of missing family or Tetley's Tea, or wanting access to the NHS, or elderly care. If you're happy here, you can stay for the rest of your ... Read More
Pitfalls and headaches in buying an apartment in Spain by KATA08163100
Hello!I'm a EU citizen and I like Spain but I'm very aware that there are also cons to live out there too.So, I want to ask for those who have moved to Spain how was the process of buying an apartment, what mistakes they did and what hidden ...
@KATA08163100Most of Spain is hot, you'll probably need some good AC units. It's cooler up in the mountains (e.g. Pyrenees) or on the Bilbao/Atlantic coast. Read More
Traveling Non-EU spouse while waiting EU family residency by Charli949494
Hello guys.Here is my case.I’m Portuguese and Last week (19/09/2025) I submitted my wife’s (Brazilian) initial application for Non EU family member of EU citizen residence permit in Spain.We have the official receipt (justificante ...
@Charli949494Yeah, that's what I'd guessed, but wanted to check. They ask for (and check) your supporting documents (e.g. proof of family relationship) at the appointment, and they won't accept your application if it's not complete/plausible. I ... Read More
Bulgarian Visa D (Student) Delay by alamaza
Hello Friends, My son is a Medicine Student in Medical University, Plovdiv. He will be starting his Year 3 now (enrolled in 2023). He is a UK citizen. Once he got admitted to MU Plovdiv in 2023 he was issued a Visa D for Bulgaria and subsequently he ...
@alamaza(a) Talk to the consulate to clarify the reason for the delay (i.e. what update do they need), (b) talk to the university and their immigration/student visa advisors, (c) talk to a good immigration attorney to review your situation and ... Read More
Traveling Non-EU spouse while waiting EU family residency by Charli949494
Hello guys.Here is my case.I’m Portuguese and Last week (19/09/2025) I submitted my wife’s (Brazilian) initial application for Non EU family member of EU citizen residence permit in Spain.We have the official receipt (justificante ...
@Charli949494My understanding is that you need to stay in Spain and get her TIE before travelling. We did our family reunification in Spain many years ago, and it certainly didn't take 5 months (more like a few weeks), I'd be surprised if you didn't ... Read More
Getting Spanish Social Security card without residence? by linsaywv
I live in Canada. But I acquired a Spanish passport last year and got my DNI card as well. I have some cousins that live in Spain.The consulate here told me that if I get my cousin to come with me to the Social Security office and found for me ...
@linsaywvIf you have friends/relatives who own a Spanish property you can certainly ask them to provide you with a letter / quasi rental contract that confirms that you have a room in the property for the next year. This should be accepted for most ... Read More
Pitfalls and headaches in buying an apartment in Spain by KATA08163100
Hello!I'm a EU citizen and I like Spain but I'm very aware that there are also cons to live out there too.So, I want to ask for those who have moved to Spain how was the process of buying an apartment, what mistakes they did and what hidden ...
@KATA08163100As an EU citizen you enjoy Freedom of Movement in the EU and can relocate and purchase property with minimal aggravation. I doubt that buying an apartment in Spain is much more problematic than buying one in Romania (or elsewhere in the ... Read More
Buying a new car paying cash( not financing) in Bulgaria by TonyFF
My wife and I plan to buy a new RAV4 Woodland Hybrid when it is available in Bulgaria. We will pay in full by bank transfer( cash ). I have no experience with any dealer in Bulgaria ( only in the US but I presume there is not much of a difference- ...
@TonyFFAre you sure Germany's too much aggravation? The EU has Freedom of Movement for cars and people. :-) There's no import restriction and VAT/duty does not apply, so it's WAY less trouble than a non-EU vehicle. You just have to drive it back ... Read More
Repeat Prescriptions by alanjolly65
I'm not a resident in Bulgaria but I visit for 4 or 5 months per year.On my last visit, I needed a prescription for drugs I get in the UK.I visited a doctor who wrote me a prescription and I was surprised after I bought the drugs that the ...
@alanjolly65(a) I think the official system is now electronic, at least from your official GP (if you have one). This ensures you don't sneakily repeat your prescription. :-) However, many docs are still writing paper ones.(b) Most/many pharmacies ... Read More
NIE / Padron by horses527286
I am working in Madrid for 5 months until December and am an EU citizen. As I am trying to get my NIE so that my work can register me with social security, I need to go to a CUE appointment. When I went to padre piquer for this I was turned away for ...
@Juan PulidoFirst, when you say "Long-Term Residence (LTR) permit" do you mean the 10 year card / permanent residence? i.e. you've already been living in Italy for 5 or more years and have the Soggiornante di lungo periodo – CE. Or you have a ... Read More