Bulgaria is the cheapest EU country and the only EU member with both a low residency-income bar and Schengen access. The Black Sea coast and the Rhodope Mountains both have growing expat enclaves.
Single-adult planning estimates in USD: lean $1100, comfortable $1700, premium $2800. Costs vary by city and circumstances. Obtain current rental and insurance quotes.
Type D visa for retirees: proof of ~$3,300/yr per person of stable foreign income (very low bar). Permanent residency after 5 years. Bulgaria joined Schengen (air/sea) in 2024 and full Schengen in 2025.
Public NZOK covers residents; private clinics in Sofia (Acibadem City Clinic, Tokuda) are excellent and very inexpensive by EU standards.
No VA hospitals in Bulgaria. Foreign Medical Program reimburses service-connected care. Acibadem City Clinic in Sofia is part of a regional network and offers EU-standard care at a fraction of Western European prices.
Among the safer EU countries. Sofia and Plovdiv safe; standard urban awareness. Bulgaria has very low violent crime. Four-season climate. Sofia is increasingly modern, Plovdiv is a beautiful walkable second city, the Black Sea coast (Varna, Burgas) is summer expat heaven.
Veterans wanting cheap EU residency, Schengen access, and four-season weather without the price tag of Portugal or Spain.