Bulgaria has three types of higher education institutions:
Every institution must be accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA). You will find the list in the Ministry of Education and Science's register of higher education institutions. In 2023/24 there were 15,100 international students on bachelor's and master's programmes. Many international applicants choose medicine and dentistry in English – for example at the medical universities in Sofia and Varna.
Higher education follows the Bologna system, with ECTS credits:
Integrated (single-cycle) medical programmes also lead to a master's degree: at the Medical University of Varna, medicine and dentistry take 6 years and pharmacy 5 years.
There is no central system – you apply directly to the institution. You will usually need:
Deadlines are set by each institution. For example, at the Medical University of Sofia, for programmes in English for 2026/27, documents were accepted from 27 July to 31 August 2026, the exam for EU applicants took place on 3 September and results were published on 11 September. Note: the university does not accept documents sent by fax, email or post.
If you come from outside the EU, apply early: you will need your admission to apply for a visa D (see: Residence and formalities).
The admissions office of your chosen institution will tell you how to get your school leaving certificate recognised.
Admission rules – an entrance exam or other criteria – are set by each institution. For medicine and dentistry in English at the Medical University of Sofia, you take remote exams in English, biology and chemistry – the same for EU and non-EU applicants.
Most programmes are taught in Bulgarian – which is written in Cyrillic. If you want to study in Bulgarian, you can start with a preparatory course: at the Medical University of Varna it takes 9 months and costs €5,000 (2026/27). The university also runs a 9-month preparatory English course at the same price.
Programmes in English are mainly in medical fields. You can prove your language skills with a certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL – the institution will tell you the required level. In Sofia, applicants for medicine in English take an English exam anyway.
EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa – you enter with an ID card or passport.
If you stay in Bulgaria longer than 3 months, you apply for a long-term residence certificate (удостоверение за продължително пребиваване) at the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior or at one of its local offices. The list of documents for students is published by the Migration Directorate.
Students from outside the EU/EEA need a visa D, which you apply for at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your home country before you travel. After arriving, you get a residence permit from the Migration Directorate. You will need, among other things, your admission to a programme, a language certificate, proof of accommodation, health insurance, proof of sufficient funds for your living costs and your return home, and a medical certificate. According to Study in Europe, you must also register your address within 5 days of arriving in Bulgaria. If you are an EU citizen, ask your institution whether this also applies to you.
Health insurance: if you are insured in another EU country, bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Students from outside the EU need health insurance for their visa and residence permit.
EU citizens pay on the same terms as Bulgarian students. Public institutions have state-funded places (държавна поръчка) with a low annual fee and fee-paying places. The fees are set by the government at the institution's proposal. Students on state-funded places in fields with the greatest expected labour-market shortages are exempt from fees.
Example – Medical University of Varna, medicine in Bulgarian in 2026/27 (Bulgarian and EU citizens): €800 for the first year on a state-funded place, €9,100 on a fee-paying place.
Medicine in English is fee-paying – annual fees in 2026/27:
Study in Europe gives general tuition fees of €562–5,360 a year for bachelor's and €1,945–5,360 for master's programmes. Students from outside the EU pay more than Bulgarian students.
Since 1 January 2026 Bulgaria has used the euro, so budgeting is easy. Study in Europe estimates student expenses at €500–900 a month, of which housing is around €200–400.
You can choose between a university student residence and private rental. Ask the student affairs office about a place in a residence as soon as you are accepted. A room in a shared flat is a good way to cut costs.
If you choose medicine in English, tuition will be the biggest item in your budget – around €10,000 a year (see: Tuition fees), much more than a year's rent.
There are few scholarships for a full degree in Bulgaria for international students. Study in Europe lists:
As an EU citizen you can also study on a state-funded place on the same terms as Bulgarian students – in practice the cheapest way to a degree.
EU citizens can work in Bulgaria without any permit, also while studying.
Students from outside the EU/EEA can work without a work permit for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and during official holidays. After graduating, they have 9 months to look for a job and start work.
For casual jobs, Bulgarian is a big help. You will find vacancies on the European job portal EURES, among others.
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.
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