Education and schools in Bulgaria for foreign children

How the education system works

The Bulgarian education system is divided into three levels: preschool (up to 7 years), secondary school (7-18 years) and higher education. Public schools are financed from the budget and operate in the Bulgarian language. The academic year begins on September 15 and ends in late May - early June.

Compulsory education covers children from 7 to 16 years of age. After 10th grade, students can continue in specialized classes or transfer to a vocational school. The Matura certificate opens the way to universities in Bulgaria and throughout the EU.

Private and international schools operate in parallel with public schools. They offer programs in English, German or French and issue international diplomas.

Public schools: conditions for foreigners

Children of foreigners with a residence permit have the right to study in public schools for free. This is one of the main advantages of Bulgaria as a country for family relocation. There are no additional fees for the training itself.

Training is conducted in Bulgarian. A child without knowledge of the language will initially require support. However, the Cyrillic alphabet makes the task much easier for children from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other CIS countries - the Bulgarian alphabet is very close to the Russian one.

In the first months, many schools organize additional Bulgarian classes for new arrivals. Please check with your specific school when registering. Integration usually takes from 3 to 6 months.

To register you will need: a child’s passport, a residence permit document, a birth certificate with a translation, a certificate of previous education. Translation of documents into Bulgarian is required.

Private Bulgarian schools with an English bias

For families for whom English is important, but the budget is limited, there are private Bulgarian schools with bilingual education. They combine the Bulgarian curriculum with enhanced English and provide a good basis for admission to European universities.

Tuition fees in such schools range from €3,000 to €7,000 per year. It usually includes textbooks, some extracurricular activities and meals. Please check the fee structure for each school separately.

Popular private schools with an English bias in Sofia: Private specialized gymnasium for natural sciences and mathematics, American college in Blagoevgrad, National gymnasium for foreigners. Varna and Plovdiv also have private schools with a good reputation.

International schools in Bulgaria

International schools are aimed at expats and families who want to pursue Western education. They issue IB (International Baccalaureate) or British diplomas, which are recognized in most countries of the world.

Main international schools in Bulgaria:

• Anglo-American School Sofia - IB program, grades from Pre-K to 12th year, taught in English. Cost: from €8,000 to €12,000 per year depending on age.
• The British School of Sofia - British program (IGCSE and A-Level), small classes, high level of training. Cost: from €5,000 to €10,000 per year.
• European School Sofia - multilingual program, suitable for families from different EU countries. Cost: from €5000 to €9000 per year.

Most international schools have entrance tests and waiting lists. Submit your application 3-6 months before the start of the school year.

Classes and schools in English and Russian

Bulgaria is a rare EU country where Russian-language educational opportunities have been preserved. This is important for families who want to keep Russian as their main language or maintain it in parallel with Bulgarian.

In Varna, there are classes teaching a number of subjects in Russian - usually within state schools with Russian-speaking teachers. In Sofia there are also Russian-speaking communities at the embassy and informal mutual aid groups. Check current options in expat forums and communities in Bulgaria.

Additionally: tutors in Russian language and literature are easily found through local communities. Many middle-generation Bulgarian teachers know Russian well.

Cost of education: detailed table

Below is a comparison of the costs of different forms of training. All prices are valid for 2026.

Additional expenses: uniform or sportswear (€50-150 one-time), educational materials at a public school (€100-200 per year), meals at school (€1.5-3 per day).

Preschool education and kindergartens

Public kindergartens in Bulgaria operate from 2 to 6 years of age. The cost is about €30-60 per month for food and supplies, education itself is subsidized by the state. There are queues at state gardens in Sofia - sign up in advance.

Private kindergartens with an English program cost €200-600 per month, depending on the city and level. In Varna they are cheaper than in Sofia. Many private kindergartens provide a foundation of English before school age, which makes the subsequent transition to an international school easier.

To enroll in a state kindergarten, you will need a child’s residence permit and a standard package of medical documents.

Universities in Bulgaria: recognition in the EU

Bulgaria is an EU member and its university degrees are recognized in all European Union countries. This is important for families who are planning a further move or work in Europe. Bulgarian diplomas are also included in the Bologna system (bachelor 3-4 years, master 1-2 years).

Leading universities in the country:

• Sofia University St. Clement of Ohrid (SU) - the largest and oldest university in the country. Strong programs in law, economics, and humanities. The cost for EU citizens is about €500-1500 per year, for citizens of third countries - €2000-4000.
• UNSS (University of National and World Economy) - the leading economic university in Bulgaria, highly rated in the region. MBA and Master's programs in English.
• Technical University of Sofia - engineering specialties, a good basis for IT and technical professions.

Medical universities for foreigners

Bulgarian medical universities are in steady demand among foreign students - primarily from India, Germany, Israel and the CIS countries. Reasons: European diploma, relatively affordable cost and training in English.

Key medical universities with programs in English:

• Medical University of Varna - one of the most popular among foreigners. Training in English, program length 6 years. Cost: about $3000-5000 per year (plus room and board). The diploma is recognized in the EU, Great Britain and a number of other countries.
• Medical University of Pleven - strong clinical base, less competition compared to Varna. The cost is comparable.
• Medical University of Sofia - prestigious, but there are fewer programs in English.

For admission, a foreigner will need: a certificate of secondary education with a notarized translation, a certificate of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or internal test), a medical certificate. Most universities accept documents online.

Recognition of foreign certificates and documents

If your child studied outside Bulgaria, whether in the UK, the US or the CIS, their certificate must be nostrified (recognised) in Bulgaria. This is done by the Ministry of Education and Science. The procedure takes 1-3 months. Cost - about €50-100.

For nostrification you will need: the original certificate, its notarized translation into Bulgarian, an apostille (for countries that have signed the Hague Convention). Russia, Ukraine, Belarus are parties to the convention, so an apostille can be issued without any problems.

Private and international schools, as a rule, themselves help with the nostrification procedure and enrollment for the intermediate year. Public schools accept children with a temporary permit until the procedure is completed.

University degrees are recognized through the National Center for Information and Documentation (NACID). The procedure takes up to 3 months and costs about €100.

The best cities for families with children

The choice of city directly affects the accessibility of schools and the quality of the educational environment.

Sofia - the largest selection of international and private schools, the best infrastructure. The most expensive option. Suitable for families with high school level requirements.

Varna - the second most important educational center. There are Russian-language classes, a medical university, and international schools. The climate is milder, the cost of living is lower than Sofia. Well suited for families with school and college age children.

Plovdiv - the third city in the country, actively developing. Good public schools, several private with an English bias. A more relaxed pace of life, affordable prices.

Burgas - Black Sea resort with a permanent population. The choice of schools is more limited, but the international community is growing. Suitable for families who value the sea and tranquility.

Practical advice for families when moving

The first thing you should do after receiving a residence permit is to enroll in a school. Public schools accept applications from May to August for the new school year. Don't delay: Popular area schools are filling up quickly.

Language training: if your child does not know Bulgarian, sign him up for courses or a tutor 2-3 months before moving. The base level for the summer holidays is realistic. The Cyrillic alphabet can be mastered in 2-3 weeks with regular practice.

Prepare documents in advance: apostilles, translations, school transcripts. In Bulgaria, translations are accepted only from certified translators. A list of accredited bureaus is available on the website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Extracurricular activities: sections and clubs in public schools are often free or cost €10-30 per month. Football, swimming, dancing - all this is available in large cities at affordable prices.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit and the right to education

In order for a child to study in a Bulgarian school for free, a residence permit is required. A residence permit in Bulgaria is obtained in different ways: through employment, family reunification, investment or through a citizenship program for descendants of Bulgarians.

The Bulgarian citizenship program by descent is one of the most popular options for families from the CIS. If you have Bulgarian roots (grandparents, one of your parents), you can obtain Bulgarian citizenship and an EU passport. Children automatically become citizens along with you.

Read more about the program and conditions on the page: Bulgarian citizenship. It also describes the requirements for documents and the timing of the procedure.

A stateless residence permit also gives the right to free education in public schools - this is enshrined in law.

Higher education: cost and admission

International students from countries outside the EU pay more in tuition fees than EU citizens. But even for them, Bulgarian universities remain among the most accessible in Europe.

Bulgarian citizens (including those under the citizenship by descent program) pay as EU citizens - significantly less. This is an additional argument in favor of obtaining citizenship for families planning to educate their children in Bulgaria or other EU countries.

Taxes and benefits for families with children

Bulgaria has one of the lowest personal income tax rates in the EU - 10% flat (flat tax). Tax deductions are provided for families with children.

The child deduction is about 200-300 BGN (€100-150) per year for each child studying in a Bulgarian school. This is a small amount, but it reflects the general logic: the state is interested in children living and studying in the country.

For families who move as tax residents of Bulgaria, social benefits are also available: subsidized kindergartens, reduced travel for schoolchildren, free school meals in a number of municipalities for low-income families.

Bulgarian VAT is 20%, but a number of socially significant goods have a reduced rate. Children's goods and school supplies are generally more affordable than in Western Europe.