Passport
All visitors require a full British passport that allows a maximum stay of 30 days. Any stay exceeding 30 days requires permission, which can be obtained either from the Bulgarian Embassy in London prior to travel, or at the local police station free of charge. The maximum extended stay cannot exceed 90 days. Failure to either obtain permission to extend the 30 period or exceeding the 90 day extension will result the prospect of a large fine when leaving the country.

Extended stay
To stay longer than 30/90 days a "D" type 90 day single entry visa should be applied for (this takes a minimum of 30 days). This can only be done at the Bulgarian Embassy in London . The fee is 44stg and relevant documentation is required to support the application (proof of means of support etc). Single entry allows one trip back to Bulgaria to obtain a residents permit obtainable from the regional authority. Again relevant documentation is required (a reference letter from a Bulgarian Bank confirming means of support, passport and Birth Certificate), and a passport photograph. A fee 200 leva is payable and the process takes a couple of weeks. You cannot leave Bulgaria until this process is complete; otherwise another "D" type has to be applied for back in London.

Police
All visitors must register with the local police within 48 hours of arrival (this is normally a formality that is undertaken by hotels for their guests or by your host)

Medical
All emergency treatment is available free of charge under your E111 available from UK post offices together with your NHS medical card however prescription medicines have to be paid for.

Security
Crime is low in Bulgaria and locals in small towns such as Sozopol people are very nosy (in the nicest way)! They recognise and watch out for strangers. It is possible to have a security system installed (around £150) and linked to a 24/7/365 monitoring service that delivers 2 or 3 burly guards to your property minutes after the alarms goes off. COT is the Bulgarian company providing this service and the display of it’s sign on your property is often deterrent enough.

Mortgages
Two Sofia Based banks recently announced their willingness to provide mortgages in Bulgaria . This appeared in the Guardian in September this year. Bulgarian American Credit Bank & DSK Bank.

And Finally ... Head Gestures
One peculiar thing about Bulgarians is that they use totally different head gestures to everybody else in the world. A left to right and right to left movement meaning "no", to the Bulgarians means "yes'. And vice versa, the back and forth rocking of the head that ordinarily means "yes", in Bulgaria means "no". A shoulder to shoulder rocking of the head means "maybe".

ALWAYS REMEMBER: When you think have an agreement - get it in writing!