Bulgaria Overview
| Main Cities/Areas | Salary range (USD/month) |
| Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas | $800 β $1200 |
Located at the crossroads of various different cultures, Bulgaria is one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. Itβs also one of the most beautiful β home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
TEFL salaries are not very high but living costs are lower than in Western Europe so a reasonable standard of living is possible for native English speakers.
As per usual, it is difficult for non-EU nationals to find work here due to legal regulations (unless they happen to be married to a Bulgarian!) English is now the second language of Bulgaria so it is no surprise that there is a growing demand for classes with native speakers.
Typical Requirements and Tips
| Degree? | TEFL Certification? | EU National? | Experience? |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
To really impress the locals, learn some Bulgarian before you arrive.
Contracts often include free furnished accommodation so make sure you ask about this during your interview. Interestingly, Bulgarian shake their head to mean βnoβ and nod to mean βyesβ!
As with most countries in Europe, it is a lot easier for EU nationals to find work as the paperwork required is significantly less than when applying to employ non-EU nationals.
Accommodation, food and transportation (buses) prices are low.
Employers generally pay your income tax for you and as usual, you should expect to be paid on a monthly basis.
Pros and Cons of Teaching in Bulgaria
Pros:
- Growing demand for English tuition
- One of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in Europe
- Friendly local people and hard-working students
Cons:
- Lots of red tape for non-EU nationals
- Rather low salaries
- Stray dogs can be quite a nuisance
