Study in Bulgaria

• Non-EU students get a type D visa at a Bulgarian embassy with their admission documents, then a residence permit from the Migration Directorate after arrival.
• Show enough money for living costs and your return journey, plus health insurance; the embassy confirms the amount it accepts.
• Students may work up to 20 hours a week, in term and in official holidays, without a separate work permit.
• After graduating you have up to 9 months to look for work, registering with the Employment Agency within 7 working days.
• Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026; fees and living costs are now quoted in euros.

• A completed secondary school certificate for bachelor's, or a relevant bachelor's degree for master's
• English-taught programs: IELTS, TOEFL or another test the university accepts; Bulgarian-taught programs: Bulgarian proficiency or a preparatory language year
• Foreign school certificates and degrees usually need recognition by the national authority
• Official transcripts and certificates, with certified translations if they are not in English or Bulgarian
• Apply through the university's online application; medical universities often set an entrance test or interview
• Non-EU students apply for a long-stay (D) visa with the university's acceptance letter, proof of funds and health insurance, then a residence permit

Bulgaria remains one of the cheaper EU countries to live in, and since January 2026 it uses the euro. Sofia sits at the foot of Vitosha mountain, with skiing within reach, while Plovdiv, Varna and Pleven also host medical universities. City transport is inexpensive, summers are hot and winters cold. English-taught medicine is the main international draw, and graduates from outside the EU should still check their home regulator's rules.