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HEALTHCARE IN BULGARIA
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When you consider a property purchase in Bulgaria, it is important to know something about the medical provisions available to foreigners. Below is some general advice and information on Bulgarian health care and what you should expect.
The British Department of Health website clearly states that Britons travelling to or living in Bulgaria are entitled to critical and essential expatriate healthcare in Bulgaria which should include doctors’ visits, basic dental treatment and hospital care and the provision of these services is given in reciprocation as Bulgarians have the right to the same in the UK.
There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement in place between the UK and Bulgaria in advance of Bulgaria joining the EU but will require a UK passport and medical card number plus an E111. Hospital treatment and other medical and dental treatment is usually free but payment will have to be made for medicines supplied by the public pharmacy. Bulgaria is putting major reforms into its Health Service in preparation for its entry into the EU.
Although some initial emergency medical treatment may be given free of charge, British nationals are likely to be charged for the majority of medical expenses incurred whilst in Bulgaria (including tests and investigations, medication and overnight stays in hospital, whether state or private).
It is strongly recommended that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the full period you will be in the country, and it should include Medivac to the UK if necessary. (Be aware however, that most insurance companies will not authorise Medivac to the UK as a matter of routine, or because local hospitals are not up to UK standards).
In terms of the availability of hospitals, clinics and medical services in Bulgaria all major towns and cities have at least one hospital and most doctors in state and private hospitals have at least a rudimentary understanding of English. This means that in an emergency one doesn’t have to panic and try and find a translator! However, if an expat is unfortunate enough to require a hospital stay they will find that few of the nursing staff will have foreign language skills and that nursing care where it is available is limited.
Facilities in most Bulgarian hospitals are adequate and medical care is considered to be acceptable, although specialised equipment/treatment may not be available and the majority of hospital staff are unlikely to speak English.
In terms of expatriate healthcare in Bulgaria, those who can afford it generally prefer to go to the private clinics, doctors and hospitals that are available in the main towns and cities. For a basic consultation expect to pay around GBP 15 which can rise to around GBP 50 for a consultation with a private specialist. Any Britons who wish to receive free treatment have to provide their passport and also their medical card which is available from the department of health in the UK before they can be treated.
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