Centre
The grid of linden-lined streets, the Roman forum and the main shops.
city lifeno car
Linden city
Living in Stara Zagora
A green, affordable city in central Bulgaria, with Roman ruins, wide tree-lined streets and the Rose Valley close by.
- 1-bed rent
- €255–290
- From Sofia
- About 2h45 by car
- Airport
- Plovdiv (PDV) or Sofia (SOF)
- Pace of life
- Relaxed
Overview
Is Stara Zagora right for you?
Stara Zagora is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with Roman ruins of Augusta Traiana in the centre. Rebuilt in the 1880s on a grid of wide, linden-lined streets, it is green, flat and easy to get around.
It sits in the middle of the country, under three hours from Sofia by motorway. The Rose Valley around Kazanlak, the Shipka Pass and mineral springs are all close by.
Costs are some of the lowest of any city on this site, and the city has a university, an opera house and large parks such as Ayazmoto on the hill above the centre.
There are few jobs and services in English, and summers are hot. It suits families and retirees who want a calm, affordable city in the centre of Bulgaria.
What expats like
- Some of the lowest costs of any Bulgarian city
- Wide, green streets and big parks
- Roman ruins and a lively cultural life
- Central location, under 3 hours from Sofia
- The Rose Valley and mineral springs nearby
What to know
- Few jobs and services in English
- A small expat community
- Hot summers
- No airport: the nearest are Plovdiv and Sofia
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 €290 a month
1-bed apartment, outside the centre
about €255 a month
Utilities for a 2-bed flat (power, water, heating)
about €85 a month, more in winter
Public transport monthly card
about €18
Mobile plan with 10 GB+ data
about €13 a month
Home internet
about €11 a month
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant
about €9
Neighbourhoods
Where expats live in Stara Zagora
Ayazmoto
Near the big hillside park, quiet and green.
familiesnature loversZheleznik
A large residential district with lower rents.
valueTri Chuchura
Residential, with schools and shops.
familiesvalueKazanski and Samara
Residential districts on the edges of town.
lower rentsGetting around
Do you need a car?
Walking and cycling
The centre is flat, with wide streets, so it is easy on foot or by bike.
Buses and trolleybuses
Cover the city, with a cheap monthly card.
Taxis and apps
Cheap and easy to find.
Driving
The Trakia motorway reaches Sofia and Burgas. A car helps for the Rose Valley and mountains.
Living here
Everyday life in Stara Zagora
Healthcare
- UMBAL Stara ZagoraState The university hospital for the region
- Trakia HospitalPrivate A private general hospital
- Plovdiv and Sofia hospitalsPrivate For some specialists and most care in English
Schools
- International schools None. The nearest are in Plovdiv and Sofia
- Romain Rolland Language School State, English, French and other streams. A well-known language school, entry by exam
- Local schools Bulgarian state schools. Teaching in Bulgarian
Work
- Jobs Energy, industry, farming, Trakia University and local businesses
- Remote work A quiet, low-cost base in the centre of the country
- Coworking A few small spaces in the centre
Weekends
- Kazanlak and the Rose Valley The Thracian tomb and the rose festival each June, about 45 minutes away
- Shipka and Buzludzha The Shipka monument and the famous Buzludzha monument, about 1 hour away
- Starozagorski Mineral Baths Hot springs, 15 minutes away
- Neolithic Dwellings Museum Some of the oldest homes found in Europe, in the city
- Plovdiv Bulgaria’s second city, about 1.5 hours away
Paperwork
Where to sort your paperwork
Migration office (ODMVR Stara Zagora)
Residence permits, EU registration certificates, LNCH
68 G. S. Rakovski 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
Stara Zagora traffic police (ODMVR Stara Zagora) · Check the address and hours on mvr.bg before you go
Good to know: Bring a sworn translation for non-EU licences
Stara Zagora Municipality
Local documents, property tax and vehicle tax
Municipal service centre · Hours vary
Good to know: Many local taxes can be paid online
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 Stara Zagora
English-speaking professionals near you
Lawyers, accountants, doctors and agents who work with expats in Stara Zagora, checked by our team.
What’s on near Stara Zagora
Festivals, concerts, traditions and markets across Bulgaria, with what each one is about so you know what to expect.
See events in Stara ZagoraCompare
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