Bulgaria's housing market cools while living costs remain higher than in Germany

A Bulgarian expatriate in Germany pointed out that, despite three‑times higher wages, many staple foods cost less there than in Bulgaria. He cited prices such as tomatoes at €0.99 and a litre of milk at €1.09, compared with €1.75 for milk and up to €3.50 per kilogram for tomatoes in Bulgaria. The German minimum wage is around €1,800, while Bulgaria’s is about €600.

At the same time, Bulgaria’s housing market is entering a cooling phase. Analysts note a 15‑20% drop in property transactions, with buyers earning around €1,500 a month and lacking down‑payment funds finding it hard to obtain mortgages. Credit consultant Elena Mihaylova said lending activity has not slowed, but market observers warned of a “serious housing crisis.” Low interest rates and internal migration continue to support demand, while rising supply in the secondary market may further pressure prices.