Varusha and the old town
Historic houses on steep cobbled streets, close to everything.
character homesno car
Old capital
Living in Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria’s medieval capital, with an old town above the river, low costs and a large British community in the villages around.
- 1-bed rent
- €285–350
- From Sofia
- About 3h by car or bus
- Airport
- Sofia (SOF) or Varna (VAR)
- Pace of life
- Relaxed
Overview
Is Veliko Tarnovo right for you?
Veliko Tarnovo was Bulgaria’s capital in the Middle Ages. Its old houses cling to the cliffs above the winding Yantra river, and the Tsarevets fortress rises on a hill above the town.
For years the town and the villages around it have been home to one of Bulgaria’s largest British communities, many of them retirees who bought village houses with gardens. It is also a university town, so the centre is lively during term.
Costs are among the lowest of any city on this site, and Arbanasi, Tryavna and the Balkan mountains are close by. Sofia and Varna are both about three hours away.
It is a small city, so there are few jobs and services in English, and there are no international schools. Winters are cold, especially in the villages, and a car makes life much easier.
What expats like
- Some of the lowest costs of any Bulgarian city
- A beautiful old town and the Tsarevets fortress
- A large, welcoming British and international community
- Village houses with gardens at low prices nearby
- A lively student life during the university year
What to know
- Few jobs and services in English
- No international schools
- The nearest major airports are Sofia and Varna, about 3 hours away
- Cold winters, and a car is almost essential in the villages
Costs
What it costs to live here
Typical prices for one person, from current listings and Numbeo, checked in October 2026. Rents rise fast, so check imot.bg before you budget.
1-bed apartment, city centre
about €350 a month
1-bed apartment, outside the centre
about €285 a month
Utilities for a 2-bed flat (power, water, heating)
about €85 a month, more in winter
Public transport monthly card
about €23
Mobile plan with 10 GB+ data
about €17 a month
Home internet
about €14 a month
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant
about €10
Neighbourhoods
Where expats live in Veliko Tarnovo
Centre
Shops, cafés and the main street. Lively in term time.
city lifestudentsKartala
A residential district with many newer buildings.
familiesnewer flatsBuzludzha
A large residential district with lower rents.
valueArbanasi
An upmarket village on the hill above the town. A car helps.
housesviewsVillages around the town
Houses with gardens, where many British expats live. A car is essential.
retirementgardensGetting around
Do you need a car?
Walking
The old town and centre are walkable, but the streets are steep.
Buses
City buses run to the districts, and intercity buses link the town with Sofia, Varna and Ruse.
Trains
Gorna Oryahovitsa, 15 minutes away, is a main rail junction.
Driving
Almost essential if you live in a village.
Living here
Everyday life in Veliko Tarnovo
Healthcare
- Dr. Stefan Cherkezov Regional HospitalState The main hospital for the region
- Private medical centresPrivate Several in the town, some with English-speaking doctors
- Sofia and Varna hospitalsPrivate For some specialists and most care in English
Schools
- International schools None. Most expat children go to Bulgarian schools
- Language high schools English and other streams. Bulgarian state schools, entry by exam
- Online schools British and American curricula. Common with expat families in the villages
Work
- Jobs The university, tourism and local businesses. Few jobs in English
- Remote work A quiet, low-cost base for remote workers
- Community Active British and international groups for retirees and families
Weekends
- Arbanasi Old churches and stone houses, 10 minutes away
- Etar and Tryavna An open-air craft museum and a woodcarving town, under an hour away
- Emen Canyon A short walk along a river canyon, 30 minutes away
- Buzludzha and the Shipka Pass The famous monument and battle sites, about 1.5 hours away
- Elena and the Balkan villages Quiet mountain villages, about 1 hour away
Paperwork
Where to sort your paperwork
Migration office (ODMVR Veliko Tarnovo)
Residence permits, EU registration certificates, LNCH
4 Belyakovsko Shose St · Check hours on mvr.bg
Good to know: Bring originals and copies of everything. Queues are longest early in the morning
KAT (traffic police)
Driving licence exchange, car registration
Veliko Tarnovo traffic police (ODMVR Veliko Tarnovo) · Check the address and hours on mvr.bg before you go
Good to know: Bring a sworn translation for non-EU licences
Veliko Tarnovo Municipality
Local documents, property tax and vehicle tax
Municipal service centre · Hours vary
Good to know: In a village, start at the mayor’s office (кметство)
National Revenue Agency (NAP)
Tax registration, social security, health insurance status
Find your office at nra.bg · Many services work online with a PIK code
Good to know: Ask for a PIK code once: it saves many visits
Find help in Veliko Tarnovo
English-speaking professionals near you
Lawyers, accountants, doctors and agents who work with expats in and around Veliko Tarnovo, checked by our team.
What’s on near Veliko Tarnovo
Festivals, concerts, traditions and markets across Bulgaria, with what each one is about so you know what to expect.
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