STUDY MBBS IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria has come out to be one of the top MBBS destinations today particularly for Indian students, and other international MBBS aspirants across the globe. Multiple factors have contributed to it. For instance, the net cost to study MBBS in Bulgaria, which includes tuition fee, cost of living, and accommodation is remarkably affordable particularly when you compare it with the cost of MBBS in popular MBBS destinations of Western Europe.

The Universities in Bulgaria is the perfect melting pot of international talents, cultures, tradition and ethnicities. Getting into the top-notch medical universities of Bulgaria is a dream for many young medical aspirants around the globe, including India. Each year, Bulgarian universities graduate as many as 4000 international students who get into various fields of academic expertise, medicine and other specialities.  

Nestled in the Central Europe, Bulgaria is a very beautiful country marked by beautiful landscape, beautiful people, culture and a tradition of acceptance and multi-culturalism. The university atmosphere in Bulgarian medical universities is very conducive to support higher education, particularly MBBS or medical training (which is well-supported by advanced infrastructure and EU-standard MBBS-curricula). International students also get a lot of exposure via international conferences & interactions with researchers and scholars from different parts of the world, which opens new doors and windows of opportunity for them. Let us explore the myriad aspects pertaining to study MBBS in Bulgaria.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: An Overview of MBBS in Bulgaria

Planning to study MBBS in Bulgaria? Here is a table which will help you with all the information you need on Study MBBS in Bulgaria:

Top Bulgaria Medical Universities for MBBS

1. Plovdiv Medical University
2. Sofia Medical University
3. Varna Medical University
4. Pleven Medical University

MBBS in Bulgaria Fee Structure : 2025-2026

Disclaimer: Study Europe Consultants cautiously affirm that the given amount of Tuition Fees is not volatile and subject to change without any prior intimation to the students. Also, the amount is in USD, not in Indian Rupees. To know the exact tuition fees, Hostel Fees, Living Cost and Exchange Value of USD in Indian Rupees, please contact our experts at Study Europe.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Top NMC-Recognized Medical Universities in Bulgaria

Study MBBS in Bulgaria is a favored option today among Indian medical aspirants because of the existence of top-tier medical institutes in the country, world-class MBBS program & curricula and high standard of medical education & training. Study MBBS in Bulgaria offers international students MBBS degree from the top medical universities that has been accorded global recognition by international accreditation bodies such as FAIMER, WHO, UNESCO, and NMC (in India). Here is a list of top NMC-recognized medical university of Bulgaria for Indian students:

Plovdiv Medical University

Established in 1945, Plovdiv medical university is the top medical university in the country with a stellar record in academia, medical facilities, and world-class infrastructure. It is located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Location	Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Eligibility For Admission	55% in PCB, NEET
Medium of Instruction	English
MBBS Fee (Total Package)	48000 EURO / Rs. 3840000 (Approx.)
Deadline For Admission	31st August, 2025

Sofia Medical University

Established in the year 1888, Sofia Medical University in Bulgaria is the oldest medical institute in the country. It is renowned for its scientific output, research outputs, and excellence in the realm of medicine. It is ranked 2^nd in the country.

Location	Sofia, Bulgaria
Eligibility For Admission	55% in PCB, NEET
Medium of Instruction	English
MBBS Fee (Total Package)	46200 EURO / Rs. 3696000 (Approx.)
Deadline For Admission	31st August, 2025

Varna Medical University

Established in 1961, Varna Medical University is known for its excellence in dentistry, medicine, public health and pharmacy.

Location	Varna, Bulgaria
Eligibility For Admission	55% in PCB, NEET
Medium of Instruction	English
MBBS Fee (Total Package)	48000 EURO / Rs. 3840000 (Approx.)
Deadline For Admission	31st August, 2025

Pleven Medical University

Established in 1974, it is one of the most popular medical institutes in the country. It caters to a lot of international students. Pleven Medical University is known for its highly qualified professors and world class education in medical programs.

Location	Pleven, Bulgaria
Eligibility For Admission	55% in PCB, NEET
Medium of Instruction	English
MBBS Fee (Total Package)	45000 EURO / Rs. 3600000 (Approx.)
Deadline For Admission	31st August, 2025

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

The admission process to study MBBS in Bulgaria is very easy and transparent for international students. Here is what Indian medical aspirants need to know about their eligibility to study MBBS in Bulgaria:

• There is no scope or system of admission through donation for MBBS in Bulgaria.
• The process of admission is based on merit.
• An Indian candidate must only meet the academic and non-academic requirements set for all.
• To study MBBS in Bulgaria, an Indian candidate must score a minimum of 50%-60% in 12^th exam (depending upon the medical institute he/she is applying to) from any recognized board or equivalent in science stream.
• Indian candidate must opt for these subjects in science stream mandatorily: Biology, Chemistry, Physics & English in their 10+2.
• Indian candidate must be minimum 17 years of age & maximum 25 years of age at the time of admission.
• Indian candidates are mandatorily required to qualify NEET exam and produce their NEET Score card during application. NEET has been made mandatory of Indian students for want to pursue MBBS abroad.
• Indian medical aspirant aspiring to study MBBS in Bulgaria must have a passport with over 18 months of validity.
• International Candidates are typically required to sit for a brief interview (not required in all medical universities in Bulgaria).

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Recognition of Degree

Here is a list of international & national bodies that accredits and validates MBBS degree from top medical universities of Bulgaria:

• NMC: National Medical Commission of India
• WHO: World Health Organization
• ECFMG: Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
• FAIMER: Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education & Research
• UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization
• WFME: World Federation for Medical Education
• Ministry of Government Health & Education of Bulgaria

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Why Bulgaria for Indian Students?

Bulgaria is fast becoming the ideal hub for higher education for students all around the globe owing to affordability of programs, low cost of living, good environment that facilitates education, training, innovation, etc., and fosters multiculturalism, fraternity, international exposure, cultural exchange, global experience and acceptance.  

• These factors have made the prospect to study MBBS in Bulgaria a very lucrative proposition for young medical aspirants in India.
• Study MBBS in Bulgaria is supported by affordable cost of MBBS program, decent cost of hostel accommodation, & cost of living compared to other Europeans destinations.
• Some of the medical universities are really old with a long legacy of excellence in research output and providing world-class medical facilities for health-care and medical training.
• Study MBBS in Bulgaria is a good option for Indians because they receive an MBBS degree which is globally recognized and accepted, including India.
• NMC in India validates the Bulgaria MBBS degree, allowing Indian students to practice medicine in India (after clearing the NMC-screening test, called the FMGE test).
• Having completed MBBS program in Bulgaria, a students can opt for PG programs in any country (after clearing requisite screening/entrance tests) or choose to practice medicine anywhere in the world (after cleaning the requisite screening/entrance test).
• MBBS programs offered by top government-run medical universities of Bulgaria are in par with EU-standards in terms of structure and quality of education & medical training.
• Bulgaria boasts of more than 250 medical universities (private & government) offering great opportunity for medical aspirants India to fulfil their dream of MBBS abroad.
• The application process is simple, transparent and single-windowed. The application process, screening and admission is transparent and completely merit-based. There is no scope or system of admissions through donations to study MBBS in Bulgaria.
• Medical colleges in Bulgaria are a melting pot of the best medical minds in the world, diverse culture, international exposure through conferences, & cultural exchanges. This creates a healthy environment that facilitates education and fosters scholastic and non-scholastic growth of the students.
• Study MBBS in Bulgaria is also a lucrative prospect for Indian students also because it is a beautiful Central European country with fantastic landscape, sceneries and a bustling tourist destination round the year.
• Bulgarian medical universities offer a 6-year MD program which is equivalent to MBBS program in India. The course structure and syllabus correspond with that in India, making it easier for Indian students to prepare for the FMGE Screening test conducted by NMC.
• The affordable fee structure, high quality of education, and low accommodation & living cost, makes study MBBS in Bulgaria a very lucrative prospect.
• Study MBBS in Bulgaria also offers a flexible fee-payment structure. Students can choose to pay tuition fee in 2 instalments, thereby making medical education more affordable and accessible for all around the globe.
• Features of Medical education in Bulgaria that makes study MBBS in Bulgaria so lucrative:
1. World-class program at an affordable cost (8000 Euros a year-approx.)
2. Top faculty, researchers and scientists
3. State-of-the-art medical infrastructure
4. Ease of application
5. Lower cut-offs & relatively relaxed eligibility requirements compared to MBBS colleges in India.
6. Safe encouraging peaceful environment that fosters learning and innovation.
7. Better and cheaper alternative to legacy medical universities in Western Europe.
• Among the top 30 elite medical universities in Europe, 2 are in Bulgaria. MBBS degree from top NMC-recognized medical universities of Bulgaria have recognition from NMC, WHO UNESCO, FAIMER, University-peers around the globe, etc.
• International students are not required to write any entrance test at university-level or national-level to study MBBS in Bulgaria. They are selected on merit and a set of uniform scholastic and non-scholastic eligibility criteria mentioned above.
• NEET is mandatory for Indian students as per guidelines of NMC to study MBBS in Bulgaria. Indian medical aspirant must clear the cut-off marks in NEET exam in the year of application.
• The medium of instruction to study MBBS in Bulgaria is English making it easier for Indian students and international students to adapt to the syllabus, program and college.
• Lectures are very interactive and enriching because of a healthy student-teacher ratio.
• Students are however expected and advised to learn the local language for social interactions outside the university premises.
• Medical aspirants applying to study MBBS in Bulgaria are not mandatorily required to write TOEFL & IELTS.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Documents required for Indian aspirants

The process of application and subsequent admission/enrolment into the MBBS program in top Bulgarian university is hassle-free, and fast. It is also very transparent and easy. Applicants are required to meet the eligibility criteria and must furnish documents to substantiate academic and non-academic credentials. Here is a list of documents that are required for Indian aspirants to apply to and study MBBS in Bulgaria:

• A valid Passport (scanned copies for online submission)
• Passport-sized photographs (scanned copies for online submission)
• Marksheet & Certificate of 10^th standard exam.
• Marksheet & Certificate of 12^th board exam (from any recognized board or equivalent in science stream)
• NEET scorecard (NEET is mandatory for Indian candidates to study MBBS in Bulgaria)
• Birth Certificate
• Identity/Identification Document
• School Leaving Certificate
• Certificate of Conduct
• No criminal certificate
• Guardian’s bank statement
• Student Visa
• Medical fitness certificate from certified medical institution/professional

Here is what you need to additionally know about documents with respect to ‘study MBBS in Bulgaria’:

• All information provided in the application form/portal must be authentic.
• All documents submitted (scanned copies) need to be legal and authentic.
• Submission of illegal, unauthentic documents can lead to rejection of application.
• Furnishing unauthentic information (personal, scholastic and non-scholastic) can lead to rejection of application.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Application Process for Indian Students

The process of application to study MBBS in Bulgaria from top NMC-recognized medical universities is very easy, smooth, hassle-free and transparent. Indian students can easily apply to medical universities in Bulgaria. Here is what you need to do to apply for MBBS program in any Bulgarian medical university of your choice.

• The aspirant must shortlist the university/universities to which he/she would want to apply.
• It is advised that an Indian aspirant shortlist and apply to more than one university to avoid putting all eggs in one basket.
• The aspirant must then check for the eligibility requirements of the university.
• The aspirant can keep track of updates and official university notification on the official website of the shortlisted universities.
• Indian medical aspirants can access the link to the application form on the official website.
• Aspirants are required to fill up the application form by putting in relevant data & information in given portals.
• Aspirants are then required to submit scanned copies of all relevant documents like marksheets, school leaving certificate, birth-certificates, passport, Identity document, bank statement, etc.  
• Having submitted the application form, an aspirant need only wait for 2-3 weeks before getting an official response from the university.
• Shortlisted candidates receive official offer letter from the University via email.
• The candidate is then expected to pay the tuition fee as per university guidelines.
• Having received the official call letter/offer letter from the university, an aspirant can now start with his/her visa process.
• Aspirants can now plan his/her packing and preparation and book tickets for Bulgaria.

MBBS Syllabus in Bulgaria

The syllabus for MBBS in Bulgaria has been discussed previously in brief. Let us recapitulate on the various key points:

• The MBBS course in Bulgaria is for the duration of 6 years
• During these 6 years the students learn the basic and advance subjects relating to their respective disciplines
• Included in 6 years of MBBS is one complete year of internship
• The students can carry on with the internship in Bulgaria itself
• Or Indian students can intern with medical institutes in India during their summer vacations
• The first 3 years in the course curriculum is based on theoretical knowledge of very basic subjects
• The next 3 years requires the students to focus on application of the theoretical knowledge
• After graduation, the students receive a degree of graduation from the University
• Receiving the degree enables the students to practice medicine in Bulgaria or other countries abroad
• The students can also think of pursuing higher education in the field of Medicine after graduation

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Intake & Admission

To study MBBS in Bulgaria, an aspirant need to be aware of important dates and deadlines.

• For most medical universities in Bulgaria, the official online application process is made accessible/available in the official university websites from the month of April (tentative). The exact dates can vary from one university to another.
• The link for application form/portal is available on the official website of the university.
• The application portal typically closes by September (sometimes even August).
• Each year, Bulgarian medical universities enrol nearly about 4000-5000 international students.
• Seats in the Bulgarian medical universities is made available on a ‘first come, first serve basis’.
• The semester/session starts from the month of September/October.
• In dental and veterinary programs in Bulgarian medical universities, there are two intakes in a year. However, for their MBBS program, there is only intake in a year.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Structure of MBBS Program in Bulgaria

Here is a structure of the MBBS program in Bulgaria:

• 1^st year, 2^nd year & 3^rd yearè Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology. Microbiology, Pharmacology, Bio-Chemistry, etc
• 4^th year, 5^th year, 6^th yearè Oncology, ENT, General Surgery, Psychology, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, etc.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Advantages of MBBS in Bulgaria for Indian Students

Bulgaria is fast evolving as the next hub of higher education. Today, it is attracting a lot of international students for its superior quality of higher education in almost all fields. But that is not all. Bulgaria is also evolving has the new MBBS hub of Eastern and Central Europe. Let us look at the major factors and advantages for Indian students and medical aspirants to study MBBS in Bulgaria.

• Offset the Paucity of Seats in India: Medical aspirants in India tend to face tonnes of challenges to secure a medical seat in an accredited government-sponsored medical college. This can be owed to two factors: 1) Paucity of seats in accredited government-run medical colleges. 2) high competition and traffic in entrance exams. Aspirants that are left out of the chain of govt-run medical colleges have to opt for private medical colleges in India that are just as expensive as pursuing MBBS in UK and USA. Study MBBS in Bulgaria offsets these issues by offering Indian students the opportunity to become a doctor at an affordable cost by enrolling in word-class MBBS program.
• Quality of MBBS program: Study MBBS in Bulgaria is lucrative for international students because they get the bang for the buck. Bulgarian medical universities boast of world-class state-of-the-art medical infrastructure that supports an EU-standard MBBS program. Indian students secure an MBBS degree which has international recognition and acceptance.
• Student-Professor Ratio: Bulgarian medical universities also boast of a favourable professor-student ratio. It is about 17: 1. Favourable student-teacher ratio promotes interactive learning and education, develops critical thinking in students, builds trust and intellectual proximity to each other, and enhances the level of learning outcome.
• Affordability: Evidently, one of the strongest pull-factors for Indian students to study MBBS in Bulgaria is the affordable cost of MBBS program, cost of living and accommodation in Bulgaria. This translates into lesser loan burden on students. It also increases educational accessibility to higher educational institution. The cost breakdown to study MBBS in Bulgaria (including the cost of living and in-campus hostel accommodation) is given above.
• Multi-cultural & multi-dimensional campuses: Proponents of higher education in Bulgaria point to the fantastic campus culture of Bulgarian universities. Each year, Bulgaria takes in 4000-5000 students in different medical programs. This creates an atmosphere of cross-cultural and cross-border fraternity, multi-culturalism, universalism, diversity-acceptance and trust. It fosters a sense of understanding of the world and its various multidimensional facets.
• Campus Atmosphere: The campus atmosphere in Bulgarian medical universities is very encouraging, open, accepting and welcoming of international students. International students are assisted at every step during their initial days to get adjusted to the environment and nitty-gritty of living in Bulgaria. Indian students quickly make friends around in the campus.
• International exposure: Study MBBS in Bulgaria brings to Indian students the prospect of international exposure through international medical conferences held in Bulgarian medical universities. Students get to sit in interactive sessions with the best medical minds from the best colleges and universities in Europe.
• Vacation destination: Apart from the fact that Bulgaria is emerging as a hub of higher education in medicine and medical sciences, it is also emerging has a wonderful tourist destination. It boasts of some of the most spectacular landscapes and scenic beautifies in the world that attracts thousands of tourists each year to Bulgaria.
• Opportunities After MBBS: Study MBBS in Bulgaria offers a world class MBBS program at an affordable rate. MBBS from top accredited medical universities in Bulgaria has received international/global recognition from international bodies such as WHO, FAIMER, UNESCO, etc. Students can opt for PG, medical practice or research in any country and institute of their choice.
• Practice in India: MBBS degree from top medical university of Bulgaria is accepted and recognized by NMC in India. Indian students who study MBBS in Bulgaria can choose to come back to India for licensed practice after clearing the NMC-screening test.

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: Challenges of MBBS in Bulgaria for Indian Students

While the prospect to study MBBS in Bulgaria brings immense success to Indian students, there are challenges too. Here is a list of some common issues, challenges and disadvantages that Indian MBBS students tend to face in Bulgaria:

• Culture: Bulgarians have a very different culture, environment and atmosphere than India. Naturally, Indian students take time to get acclimatized to the new culture and language. Difference in food habits and other societal aspects can cause cultural cause for Indian students, as well as other international students.
• Language: While the mode of instruction in MBBS program within the university is English (which helps in the learning and training process for Indian MBBS students), English is not the first language (or the second) in Bulgaria. The lingua franca is Bulgarian. You may also find people speaking Romanian and Turkish. International students are advised to learn the local language for effective and seamless social interactions.
• Food: Indians have a very different dietary pattern which co-relates to our culture and tradition. Vegetarianism is an aspect of the Indian diet (though not absolute). Finding pure vegetarian dishes or restaurants serving authentic Indian food can be challenging. Students may have to cook.
• Climate: The climate of Bulgaria, while pleasant in the Summers, can be difficult in the winters because of its temperate continental type climate.
• Home-sickness: International students (particularly outside Europe), often complain about home-sickness. It is only natural to get home-sick when a student is suddenly removed from his/her natural socio-cultural milieu and place in an entire alien socio-cultural milieu. It may take some time before they get fully adjusted.

MBBS Fees Structure and Course Duration

Study MBBS in Bulgaria: About Bulgaria

Nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Central Europe, Bulgaria boasts of a rich culture with beautiful people, landscape ad sceneries. It attracts a lot of tourists from around the globe each year. If you are planning to study MBBS in Bulgaria, here is what you need about the country before you book your flight tickets, and embark on a journey of a lifetime: