What will a year really cost?

From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.

In short: a first year in Bulgaria costs about EUR 8,500 to 11,200: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee.

Last checked: 26 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.

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A year in Bulgaria

	In EUR as published	In EUR
Tuition, one year	EUR 3,000 to 3,300	EUR 3,000 to 3,300 Public university, international student
Living costs, twelve months	EUR 5,400 to 7,800	EUR 5,400 to 7,800
Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused	EUR 100	EUR 100
First year, all in		EUR 8,500 to 11,200
Money you must show for the visa	Not published Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs

Work while you study

20 hours a week in term

Stay after you graduate

9 months, Stay to seek and start work after finishing education (register with the Employment Agency within 7 business days to use its services)

Worth knowing. No annual proof of funds figure is published. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' general type D checklist asks for six monthly minimum wages, about EUR 3,721 at the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620.20 (our calculation); confirm with the embassy. Tuition range is UNWE (Sofia) international student fees, academic year not stated; medicine costs more. Visa fee is EUR 200 for the one-year Article 15(2) visa. No official living cost figure. Living costs are the Medical University of Varna’s estimate for Varna.

The full Bulgaria guide, with every source →

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Things you will need anyway

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Your first nights

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Your first nights

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Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 13 November 2026.

Questions

How much does it cost to study in Bulgaria for a year?

a first year in Bulgaria costs about EUR 8,500 to 11,200: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee.