A tourist from an EU or EEA country must on a travel to Bulgaria bring the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), issued by the national health organisation of his home country, or a travel insurance. The travel insurance must be for at least $ 5.000 and cover emergency medical costs, repatriation, transport of your mortal remains or funeral.
A tourist with an EHIC need not register with the Bulgarian national health administration. For small health problems you can even go to one of the many pharmacies (apteka/аптека) if you speak some Bulgarian or have a translator. The Bulgarian pharmacies can be found everywhere and have most of the medicines used in other parts of the EU. If the problem cannot be solved in the pharmacy, one must visit a doctor or the local polyclinic. In serious emergencies you will be taken directly to a hospital.
Permanent residents are recommended to take contact with a private doctor or the local polyclinic from the beginning of their stay, presenting their identification documents, EHIC or private insurance, and obtaining a phone number in case of emergencies. Ask other foreigners or Bulgarian friends for recommendations, the permanent doctor is important.
While a tourist with an EHIC has the right only to emergency treatment, the residents have the same rights as a Bulgarian citizen. Do not expect preference treatment because you are a foreigner, and do not come to Bulgaria as a “health tourist”. Do not expect that local doctors or polyclinics will be well informed about on health rights of EU citizens. Some foreigners have found that it is better to join the Bulgarian health services at a low monthly fee.
The Bulgarian public health system is underfinanced due to very low obligatory contributions and a lack of funds needed to renew polyclinics, hospitals and equipment. You may find the standard below what you are used to in your home country.
Bulgarian doctors have a good medical education, and many of them speak a foreign language. But their income is very low, between 250 and 500 Euro per month. Medics and nurses have staged demonstrations to demand higher wages and better working conditions. Many have gone abroad to work.
If you have sufficient means, there are many private doctors and health centres with very high standards available. But when it comes to major interventions even the private health centres must refer you to one of the public hospitals. The waiting time for an examination or intervention is short.
It may be recommendable to keep open the possibility to return to your home country if you contract a serious illness. Investigate the possibility on beforehand.
Be prepared to pay a small charge for a visit to a doctor or a polyclinic.
Prescribed medicine must be paid by the consumer. However, prices are very low.
Dental care
There are many and good dentists in Bulgaria. Their very affordable fees are normally posted in the waiting room. Dental services are not covered by the EHIC.