Medicine and treatment in Bulgaria

As in many countries, the most advanced clinics and doctors are located in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, but there are also well-established clinics in Varna and Plovdiv. This is due to the presence of good medical universities in all three cities, where not only Bulgarians, but also Germans, Scandinavians and many others are trained. All the local science of healing is inextricably linked with Russia, thanks to which in 1878 Bulgaria gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire for the first time in 500 years.

Even during the Russian-Turkish war, the Russians built hospitals in every major city in Bulgaria, as a result of which, by the end of hostilities, there were already 15 hospitals in the country, and Bulgarian doctors were subsequently trained in Moscow medical academies. It is not surprising that the largest hospital in the country, which is located in Sofia, bears the name of the Russian Emperor Alexander II. Opened in 1895, the Pirogov Red Cross Hospital (named after the legendary Russian surgeon) is today a national ambulance center.

Visit to the doctor

Today in the major cities of Bulgaria you can make an appointment for a private appointment, which costs about 10 euros per visit, which can vary depending on the status of the doctor and the medical institution. In small towns, the average cost may be lower. There are widespread private clinics in the country, where a day hospital with appropriate procedures is well-equipped.

However, if we are talking about serious illnesses or need the opinion of a highly qualified doctor, then it makes sense to go to Sofia right away. In Bulgaria, there are a large number of oncology centers that accept patients from all over the world. There are also many treatment options for patients with airway and kidney problems in local cities.

Health insurance for foreigners

All foreign citizens who come to Bulgaria on vacation, as well as applicants for a residence permit, are required to have insurance. If you need to see a doctor, just call the insurance company and then follow the instructions. In addition, some insurance companies have agreements with hospitals and are in direct contact with medical institutions. Some companies reimburse the cost of treatment after the fact.

Compulsory insurance with coverage of 30,000 euros, which is most often purchased when applying for a residence permit, does not apply to all cases. The cheapest insurance for urgent calls now costs 100 euros per year, but experts advise to purchase mid-level insurance, which costs 400 euros per year. Such insurance allows you to visit all doctors in good clinics, compensates for the costs of antibiotics, childbirth, and other operations, if the cost does not exceed 1000 euros. This investment always pays off and even partially covers the costs of dental services.

Free treatment for foreigners

Foreigners can receive free medical treatment in Bulgaria after five years of residence in Bulgaria with the status of a residence permit - after this period, non-residents have the right to receive permanent residence and the opportunity to use the free services of the Zdravna Kasa insurance system. True, every month it is necessary to pay for "health services". The amount of this tax is 20.4 levs (about 10 euros) and the unemployed pay it themselves, and the employer pays for the rest. At the same time, children are exempted from the obligation to pay insurance premiums until the end of school, university students also do not pay tax until the end of their studies.

Balneological resorts in Bulgaria

Due to its geographical location, Bulgaria is rich in an incredible number of health centers: 48 climatic mountain and 15 sea resorts, 38 balneological cities. The most popular are such resorts as Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Riviera and Balchik, well known to Russian tourists and buyers of local real estate. Varna mud baths, Pomorie, Primorsko, Kiten, Sozopol and Ahtopol are in no less demand among the local population and foreigners.

If you want to go to the mountains to improve your well-being, then it makes sense to opt for the most famous Balkan spa resort, Velingrad. However, you can improve your health just as well in places such as Pavel-Banya, Kostenets, Varshets, Burgas, Haskovsky, Staro-Zagorsky and Sliven mineral baths, Pamporovo, Borovets and many others.

Most resorts offer a course of massage, mineral water baths, reflexology, acupuncture, laser therapy, acupressure, paraffin treatment, apitherapy, herbal medicine, mud therapy, aromatherapy, and a weight loss program. Often, buyers of Bulgarian real estate select objects for themselves not only in terms of proximity to the sea, but also a balneological resort that is necessary according to indications - so that they can undergo treatment in the immediate vicinity of their house or apartment.

Traditionally, sanatoriums offer a treatment program of 5 days or more. For a consultation with a doctor, patients bring the test results (but they can be done on the spot), after which five types of procedures are prescribed per day. A five-day stay with so many treatments in a 4-star hotel for a family of two adults and one child will cost an average of 550 euros with breakfast and dinner. But the price may fluctuate depending on the season and holidays.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Evgenia Prokazov, Sales Director of Bulgaria Avenue

Krasimir Ivanov Planeta Partners LTD