At a glance
- Total time
- Open late in big cities
- Official fees
- Many medicines cost less than in Western Europe
- Where
- Any pharmacy (аптека)
- Bulgarian needed?
- Know the active ingredient
Pharmacies (аптека, “apteka”) are everywhere in Bulgaria, and pharmacists are a good first stop for minor problems. Many common medicines are cheaper than in Western Europe. But some medicines you can buy freely at home need a prescription here, and the other way round.
What you can buy without a prescription
- Painkillers and fever medicines, cold and flu remedies, allergy tablets, and most creams and vitamins.
- The pharmacist can advise you and tell you when to see a doctor.
What needs a prescription
- Antibiotics, always.
- Most medicines for long-term conditions, such as blood pressure, diabetes and contraception.
- Strong painkillers and sleeping pills.
Prescriptions in Bulgaria are now mostly electronic. The doctor issues them in the national system, and you collect your medicine at any pharmacy with your ID or personal number. Prescriptions from other EU countries are usually accepted, but a pharmacy may refuse one it can’t check. Bring the medicine’s active ingredient name, not just the brand.
Medicines paid by NZOK
If you are insured in the public system and have a long-term condition, your family doctor or specialist can prescribe medicines that NZOK pays for in full or in part. Not every pharmacy has a contract with NZOK, so look for its sign or ask.
At night and at weekends
Every big city has 24-hour pharmacies (денонощна аптека, “denonoshtna apteka”). Search for that phrase in Google Maps. Large chains such as SOpharmacy and Subra have several in Sofia.
Bringing your own medicines
Bring enough for your first weeks, in the original packaging, with a copy of your prescription. Before you run out, see a doctor here to get a Bulgarian prescription, because the same medicine may have a different brand name.
Useful words
| English | Bulgarian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription | рецепта | re-TSEP-ta |
| Painkiller | обезболяващо | o-bez-bo-LYA-vash-to |
| Fever | температура | tem-pe-ra-TU-ra |
| I’m allergic to… | Алергичен/Алергична съм към… | a-ler-GI-chen/a-ler-GICH-na sam kam |
Sources
- Bulgarian Drug Agency
- National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK): medicines it pays for
- Your Europe: using a prescription in another EU country
General information, not medical advice. Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions.