Why work in Sofia?
European Union
Bulgaria is part of the European Union (EU), and is strategically located between the West and the East. Regular flights make it easy to visit any major European capital daily, with average flight times of not more than a couple of hours. Being part of the EU also allows INSAIT faculty to apply for all financial instruments (e.g., the coveted ERC grants) associated with Horizon Europe.
European Technological Hub
Further, Bulgaria has a flat rate of 10% personal and corporate income taxes, the lowest within the European Union. The location, comparatively inexpensive costs of living and doing business, and the great IT human capital due to heavy focus on informatics and mathematics in school curricula (Bulgaria founded the International Olympiad in Informatics in 1989), have attracted substantial and increasing foreign investments in the country. For instance, many large foreign IT companies have some of their largest R&D centers in Sofia (e.g., Bosch, VMWare, SAP), providing opportunities for research-industry interactions for INSAIT faculty.
International Schools
Sofia has a great selection of modern, forward-thinking and, compared to other capitals in Europe, competitively priced international schools. The standard of education on offer is similar to that of the rest of Europe. Several of the international schools in Sofia teach the International Baccalaureate curriculum through English. Curricula from countries across Europe are also available including British, French, and German.
Healthcare
The country provides great healthcare, both publicly, and through numerous private hospitals offering affordable services.
Leisure Time
Apart from outstanding working conditions, Bulgaria also offers great opportunities for spending time outside work. Sofia is located at the base of the Vitosha mountain, allowing for skiing during the weekend, or even in the evenings after work. There are internationally recognized ski resorts like Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo, situated within a three-hour drive from the capital (some less than an hour). The Bulgarian seaside is a three-hour drive (50 minutes flight) away, and the same goes for the Greek shores. Despite its comparatively small size, Bulgaria has a rich history, culture, and diverse nature, thus, allowing for great weekend getaways.
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