Dear Erasmus Student,
The team of IRO Dept. is pleased to welcome you at Sofia University! We would like to provide you with practical information that could be necessary during your study as an Erasmus student.
Enjoy your stay in Sofia University!
Being Erasmus student in Bulgaria
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has more than 428 Erasmus Bilateral agreements with partner universities in Europe.
If you chose Bulgaria as your Erasmus destination you have to contact the Erasmus coordinator of your university to check if there are signed bilateral agreements between your home university and Sofia University. If yes, you can apply for study mobility period in Bulgaria in your subject area.
Your home institution has to select you as an Erasmus participant and then you can prepare your stay in Bulgaria by visiting the web site of the Bulgarian host university and other web pages concerning the country, the region and the city.
If you want to learn Bulgarian language check if there are language courses at the Bulgarian host university or you can apply for Erasmus Intensive Language Courses provided in Bulgaria.
General information
Bulgaria in the European Union
Bulgaria has become full-fledged member of the European Union on 1st of January 2007. Situated in South-east Europe the country occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The neighboring states are Romania to the North, Macedonia and Serbia to the West, Greece to the South and Turkey to the Southeast. To the East the country touches the Black Sea. Bulgaria is a medium-sized country.
Geography: Area: 110 993, 6 sq. km. Population: 7 680 000 Capital: Sofia
Cities (2006 est.): Sofia 1 377 531; Plovdiv 375 137; Varna 346 944, Burgas 203 422.
Bulgaria's capital Sofia is located in the central part of Western Bulgaria, at a strategic crossroad, through which the connection between Western Europe (through Belgrade - Skopie - Plovdiv - Istanbul) and the countries of the Middle East; between the Danube and the White Sea areas; from the Black Sea to the Adriatic Sea.
The total area of Sofia field is about 1050 sq. km of which Sofia occupies nearly 120 sq. km.
The relief of its land surface is various, with 550 m average height above sea-level.
The climate is moderate continental with well-marked seasons of the year and strong anthropogenic influence. The average annual temperature for Sofia is 10,5 ◦C, the average temperature for January being minus 1,7 ◦C and the average July temperature - 21,2 ◦C.
Government Type: Republic
Head of state: President – Rosen Plevneliev
Head of government: Prime Minister - Marin Raikov
Local divisions: 28 provinces.
Official language: Bulgarian
Religions: Orthodox, Catholics, Muslim and others
Finance: Monetary unit: Bulgarian Lev (LV)
Rate of Exchange: 1 EUR = 1, 9558 LV
www.bcci.bg/services/currency/
Land of culture and traditions
Bulgaria is a land of rich historical and cultural heritage: the magnificent gold Thracian treasures, Greek and Roman antic remains, Orpheus' music, original folklore dances and songs, plethora of impressive monasteries and monuments. It is also famous with the traditional Bulgarian yogurt, the aromatic Thracian wine - Mavrud and the popular Bulgarian rose oil.
Unique language
Bulgarian language belongs to the group of the Slavonic languages. In the 9th century the brothers Cyril and Methodius overthrew the traditional trilingual dogma and created the Cyrillic alphabet, which laid the fundaments of contemporary Bulgarian language.
Medical care
If you are an EU/EEA citizen you are entitled to free health care in Bulgaria on the basis of E-111 form or of the European Health Insurance Card both issued in your home country. In case of medical care needed you have to present one of these documents together with your ID document.
If you come from a non EU/EEA country you should arrange for health insurance documents in your home country before visiting Bulgaria. According to Bulgarian health regulations foreign students have to pay for any medical consultation or help. After you return the costs will be reimbursed by the health insurance company.
Living costs
The living costs in Bulgaria are still relatively low compared to the other member states. Public services and restaurants offer reasonable prices feasible for young people and students. There are various opportunities for accommodation on decent rates and lots of places to relax and recreate - impressive mountains and Black Sea costs with plenty winter and summer resorts for skiing, hiking, climbing, rafting, yachting, driving, swimming or just resting.
Practical issues
EU/EEA citizens
If you are an EU/EEA student you can enter Bulgaria with your ID document. If your stay exceeds 3 months you will have to obtain a temporary residence permit from the local police administration department. The Erasmus coordinator at your host university in Bulgaria will help you obtain this permit.
Non EU/EEA citizens
If you come from a non EU/EEA country you can enter Bulgaria on the basis of a valid passport and a visa. The visa can be obtained from the Bulgarian consulate in your country of residence. You should apply for a visa covering the whole planned period of stay in Bulgaria. Detailed information is available at all Bulgarian consulates in Europe.
For more information see: www.mfa.government.bg
Arrival information
Arrival by plane (at Sofia Airport)
There is a regular public bus link from Sofia Airport to the city centre. The bus stop is just outside the Arrivals terminal 2. Bus number 284 goes to Sofia University. There is an inscription
| Софийски университет "Св. Климент Охридски" |
You may buy ticket from the driver but it's better to do it from the kiosk in the bus station. The price for one ticket is 1.00 leva /about 50 cent/.
Just outside the Arrivals terminal, next to the bus stop there is a cross-town minibus (van, called marshrutka in Bulgarian) number 30, which will take you to the Sofia University. There aren't any tickets: simply jump in, pass 1.5 Leva (approximately EUR 0.8) to the driver and say Sofia University.
You can take a taxi from the airport which will drive you directly to our University. It should cost approximately EUR 10 (20 Leva).
Arrival by bus (Sofia Central Bus Station)
There are many companies, both international and Bulgarian, operating regular bus lines between major European cities and Sofia. Both international and domestic buses arrive at the Central Bus Station in Sofia, next to the Central Railway Station on Maria Louiza Blvd.
Just opposite of the building of the Central Bus Station there is a cross-town minibus (van, called marshrutka in Bulgarian) number 2 which will take you to our University. There aren't any tickets: simply jump in, pass 1.5 Leva to the driver and hand out your address to the driver.
| Софийски университет "Св. Климент Охридски" |
Arrival by train
Sofia has one major train station called Central Railway Station (Централна гара /Tzentralna Gara/ in Bulgarian). It is next to the new Central Bus Station.