Moving to Bulgaria from Botswana

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Botswana to Bulgaria? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Botswana to Bulgaria, and you’d need to navigate life in Bulgarian. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Sofia averages 59°F vs 83°F in Gaborone, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Botswana to Bulgaria.

Living there in 2020
26 ↑ 13% vs 2015

people born in Botswana live in Bulgaria · UN DESA

Who's moving to Bulgaria?

Top countries of origin for Bulgaria's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Bulgaria compared to Botswana.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BW
10.6
BG
1.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BW
16.5
BG
8.4

Bulgaria performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BW
$1,310
BG
$2,970
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BW
3.8
BG
49.0

Bulgaria generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BW
55.0
BG
63.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BW
2.7t
BG
5.3t

Botswana performs better than Bulgaria across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BW
4.2
BG
35.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BW
2.4%
BG
37.5%

Bulgaria generally does better on infrastructure, though Botswana leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BW
23.4%
BG
4.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BW
$17,500
BG
$33,300

Bulgaria generally does better on employment & economy, though Botswana leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BW
65.6 yrs
BG
75.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BW
25.2
BG
8.0

Bulgaria generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in education spending.

Data: Botswana Unified Revenue Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Gaborone Rain: 21.7 in/yr (552 mm)
83° / 56°F

Avg. annual high / low

Sofia Rain: 22.5 in/yr (571 mm)
59° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Gaborone Sofia
Jan–Mar 88°/66°F (31°/19°C) 42°/28°F (6°/-2°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/48°F (25°/9°C) 68°/48°F (20°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/47°F (26°/8°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 89°/64°F (32°/18°C) 50°/34°F (10°/1°C)
View all months
Month Gaborone Sofia
Jan 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C) 36°/23°F (2.2°/-4.9°C)
Feb 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C) 41°/27°F (4.9°/-2.9°C)
Mar 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C) 50°/33°F (9.8°/0.3°C)
Apr 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C) 60°/41°F (15.7°/4.8°C)
May 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C) 69°/48°F (20.3°/9.0°C)
Jun 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C) 74°/54°F (23.5°/12.1°C)
Jul 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C) 79°/57°F (25.9°/13.8°C)
Aug 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C) 79°/56°F (26.0°/13.4°C)
Sep 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C) 73°/51°F (22.6°/10.4°C)
Oct 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C) 62°/42°F (16.6°/5.7°C)
Nov 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C) 49°/34°F (9.6°/1.2°C)
Dec 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C) 39°/27°F (4.1°/-2.7°C)

Data: Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services, National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Botswana and Bulgaria. To live, work, or study long-term in Bulgaria, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Bulgaria's immigration authority.

Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Bulgaria

Visa Required
Botswana passport holders need a visa to enter Bulgaria.
Bulgaria passport

Bulgaria passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
Bulgaria passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Bulgaria?

Connectivity is usually fine (Bulgaria: 35.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Bulgaria offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Bulgaria safe for expats?

Bulgaria performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Bulgaria is 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 10.6 in Botswana.

How is healthcare in Bulgaria compared to Botswana?

Bulgaria generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 49.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Bulgaria, compared to 3.8 in Botswana. Bulgaria scores 73 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Botswana: 55).

What's the weather like in Bulgaria compared to Botswana?

The average high temperature in Sofia is 59°F, compared to 83°F in Gaborone. Sofia receives around 22.5 in of rainfall per year, while Gaborone gets 21.7 in.

What language do they speak in Bulgaria?

The official language in Bulgaria is Bulgarian. In Botswana, the official languages are English and Tswana.

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At a Glance

BW BG
Population 2,384,246 6,873,253
Currency Botswanan Pula (BWP) Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
Languages English, Tswana Bulgarian
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +267 +359
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 112