VT Times, May 2012

Make ends meet …
Maybe you’ve come to Bulgaria to retire, maybe you’ve come here at a younger
age and need to earn your living. Maybe a bit of both. Maybe it would just
be really nice to make a few extra leva for treats.
Many people ask how they can earn money out
here in Bulgaria and – unfortunately – there’s no
simple answer. Unless you’re resourceful and self
starting.
Because let’s face it, unless you’re completely
bilingual, you’re unlikely to get a mainstream
job with a Bulgarian firm. There are so many
well educated (and yes bilingual) young people
here who can’t find work and, when they do,
the average salary is around 660 leva a month.
But that’s the average across Bulgaria including
the capital Sofia – and, sad to say, many young
people around VT are working for far less …
some 290 leva a month (the minimum wage).
Do it yourself
So, as an expat in a highly competitive market,
how are you going to make your living? Well,
there’s good news too. If you run your OWN
business, taxation here is low. 10% for both
personal and corporation tax. The equivalent of
national insurance is also pretty good. See page
26 for how to start up a business legally here.
But what business to do? You’ve
got to play to your strengths.
A lot of qualified builders, electricians, joiners,
plasterers and plumbers do manage to make a
living here. And lets face it, most people have
homes that require a lot of renovation and they
may like to work with qualified specialists who
speak their first language. Those who master the
language and build a good reputation don’t just
work for expats - but for Bulgarians too. There
are a whole lot more handymen and enthusiastic
DIYers who also do work. Be careful if going
down this route – never sell yourself as being
more qualified than you are. Don’t take on jobs
that are beyond your skills. It simply doesn’t pay
in the long run. You end up with dissatisfied
customers and, in a small community, the word
spreads.
10 All our advertising rates are shown on page 40
It’s the same with estate agency work. It could
seem an easy option to set yourself up in this
line of business, dealing with Brits who want
to move over, communicating via the internet,
showing them around and getting a good fee.
Some do so brilliantly. But be aware – it’s a
competitive market with some very good players
out here already, the market is quite flat at
present and the Bulgarian government is looking
at new legislation to only allow certified and
registered estate agents to operate.
Getting crafty
Maybe you’re an artist, the crafty type,
photographer, maybe a budding writer, maybe a
gardener? What you have done in your previous
life … you may well be able to do here. There is
a market for all these professions and more. All
around VT and via the internet there are sales
channels for your creations or services. Cottage
and craft industries may not make you a fortune
but can be very satisfying and make for good
pocket money.
Become a digital nomad
The internet allows lots of skilled people to
maintain a living irrespective of location. If
yours is a transferable business such as website
building, IT, writing articles, selling via Ebay
or design, you should be able to communicate
with clients back in the UK, the US or anywhere
else in the world. Almost as easily as if you were
still based in your home country. And you may
well find it an advantage being two hours ahead!
You can look SO on the ball … having clients’
materials with them as soon as they hit the
office. They don’t have to know it’s already mid
morning with you.