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Bulgaria |
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| 10 Good Reasons to buy property in Bulgaria |
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Low Prices - property prices are among the lowest in Europe. |
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Lower cost of living - considerably cheaper for everyday cost of living compared to Spain, Greece or Portugal. Cost of living is the lowest in Europe. |
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Political Stability & growing economy - political and economic reforms are in progress in a favourable political climate. |
| 4. |
Member of NATO - a recognition of the country's past efforts as well as a guarantee for its safe future. |
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Joining the EU in 2007 - persistence in meeting all the requirements has become Bulgaria's emblem placing the country on the clear path towards 2007 EU membership. |
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Healthy Climate & Life - more than 300 sunny days per year. Average yearly temperature 10.5 degrees Celsius. |
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Excellent investment potential - due to the way the country is emerging in all areas, capital appreciation is high, making excellent returns on investment. Fast developing real estate market, with significant foreign investment. |
| 8. |
Very varied landscape - warm, sunny beaches and cool alpine mountains - just several hours drive from each other. |
| 9. |
Easy access - just over three hours away from most British airports. |
| 10. |
Friendly atmosphere - Bulgarians are warm and hearty people, renowned for their hospitality to foreign visitors. |
For Bulgaria map please see below, or visit www.bgmaps.com or
www.mapquest.com
Bansko has recently been voted Europe's most improved ski resort in the first
Great Skiing and Snowboarding Guide 2006 Awards.
The exclusive Golf Course is set in the beautiful Razlog Valley, one step away from the world famous ski resort of Bansko. The 18 Hole golf course is designed by Ian Woosnam, Ryder Cup Captain 2006, winner of over 44 prestigious tournaments in his well known career and one of the worlds most successful golfers. This course is found on a primarily untouched 300 acre site.
Bulgaria is emerging as a popular year round holiday destination, with beautiful sandy beaches to enjoy in the summer and some of the best skiing conditions on offer in the winter, all this at a lower cost than other European destinations. Accession into the EU will benefit the country immensely, improving roads, strengthening the economy further and also improving living and working conditions. Because of this, Bulgaria is gaining a reputation as a perfect
" get away " as well as a great opportunity for investment.
Historically an important crossroads between Europe and Asia and one of the oldest countries in Europe, steeped with world important historical sites, buildings and villages.
Bulgaria is situated in the South-Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, comprises a territory
of 110,912 sq.km with a population of 8,2 million. The country is divided into 278
municipalities and 28 districts, grouped into 6 " planning economic
regions ".
North - West Region - Districts :
Vidin, Vratza, Montana
North - Central Region - Districts :
V.Tirnovo, Gabrovo, Lovech, Pleven, Rousse
North - East Region - Districts :
Dobrich, Shumen, Varna, Razgrad, Silistra, Tirgovishte
South - West Region - Districts : Sofia- Town, Blagoevgrad, Kustendil, Pernic,
Sofia- District
South - Central Region - Districts :
Pazardgik, Plovdiv, Smolian, Kirdgiali, Stara Zagora, Hascovo
South - East Region - Districts :
Burgas, Sliven, Iambol
Why invest in Bulgaria ?
We recently put this question to a Bulgarian Property Company and received the following response.
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Highly skilled, English-speaking work force at competitive cost |
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The most stable and predictable business and political environment in South-East Europe |
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NATO membership since 29 March 2004 |
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EU membership on 2007 |
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The lowest operating cost in a European market economy |
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Industrial goods traded duty free between Bulgaria and the EU, EFTA, CEFTA and Turkey |
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Excellent climate, natural scenery, food and hospitality |
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Corporate tax rate - 19.5% (15% in 2005) and 0% in areas of high unemployment |
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VAT exemption of equipment imports for investment projects over € 5 million |
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Annual depreciation rate of 30% for machinery & equipment & 50% for software and hardware |
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Opportunity to buy land through a company registered in Bulgaria with up to 100% foreign ownership |
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Values of property and land rising daily, making a very good investment now |
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Smooth, speeded up administrative service |
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Infrastructure subsidy for investment projects over € 50 million |
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55 treaties for avoidance of double taxation |
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52 agreements on mutual protection and promotion of foreign investment |
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Government
Democratic coalition government
National Currency
BGL ( Lev. )
Bulgarian lev ( plural of lev is leva ).
Fractional coins are called 'stotinki' ( 100 stotinki = 1 lev ). The exchange rate
against the euro is fixed at Lv 1.96 / EUR 1.
Local Time
GMT + 2 Hours
Official Holidays
January 1st - New Y
ear's Holiday;
March 3d - National Holiday;
Easter, and the first Monday after Easter;
May 1st - Labour Day;
May 6th - Gergyovden, and the Bulgarian Military Army's Day;
May 24th - Cyril and Methodius Day / Alphabet day / ;
September 6th - Unification Day;
September 22d - Independence Day;
November 1st - National Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders;
December 24, 25, 26 - Christmas Days;
Measures and scales: the metric system
Air Transport
Balkan Air Tour is the flag-carrier. It flies to more than fifty destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Apart from scheduled international flights, there are charter flights for tourists in winter and summer. Domestic services are available
to the Black Sea ports of Varna and Bourgas. Sofia Airport enquiries: 720 672
( international flights ), 722 414 ( domestic flights ).
Charter companies operating flights from major UK and Dublin airports.
Taxi
Private taxi cabs charge higher fares. The fare ( especially for longer distances ) is negotiable. Foreign currency is accepted at the day's or a negotiable exchange rate. Taxis in general in Bulgaria are very inexpensive with a average rate of 0.25 Euro/KM. Careful with taxis in Beach resorts. Here the per KM rate can be as high
as 1.0 Euro/KM0.
Hotels
One to five-star hotels -
Advance booking is recommended. Major credit cards accepted.
Restaurants
Wide variety of cuisines. Along with traditional Bulgarian cuisine, many restaurants in the country offer Italian, French, Greek, Chinese, German, Arab, Hungarian,
Latin American, Indian and Russian cuisines.
Car Hire
Major international rent-a-car companies have offices in the arrivals lounge at the Airports, downtown all big towns in the country and the holiday resorts.
Banks and Currency Exchange
Many local banks and bureaus de change operate in the country. Major
international banks also have offices here.
Banking hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Foreign-exchange offices are
open until 7 p.m., and some around the clock.
Currency exchange at the airport
on arrival or departure, and in the larger hotels, is also possible. Do not exchange money in the streets or outside banks and bureaus de change despite the bargain rate offered: you risk being cheated.
Public Transport
Public transport in the country consists of buses, trams and trolley buses.
Tickets can be bought from drivers or in advance from public-transport kiosks at most stops. Season tickets for 1 or 5 days or 1 month are recommended when more travel is expected.
Private bus companies also offer connections to all the main cities and work out cheaper and faster than the corresponding train journey.
Telecommunications
International direct-dialling access code for Bulgaria: 359. Telephone lines in 63 countries of Europe, Asia and Africa are directly dialable from Mobikom or BulFon card-phones ( require different phone cards ). Inland and international phone, telegram and fax services are available at the General Post Offices and at the
local post offices in the country.
Electricity
Mains voltage 220 V/50 Hz, round two-pin plugs.
Motoring
Drive on the right, overtake on the left, cross only when the traffic light is green, give right of way to vehicles approaching from the right at crossroads and to buses in urban areas, carry your International Driving Permit. Normal driving licence will also suffice. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory.
Speed limits:
Built-up areas 60 km/h for motor cars, 50 km/h for coaches, caravans and minibuses.
Open road 80 km/h for motor cars, 70 km/h for coaches, caravans and minibuses.
Motorways 120 km/h for motor cars, 100 km/h for coaches, caravans and minibuses.
Shopping
Shops are open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.
Fresh food, fruits and vegetables can also be bought from market places open daily. |
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