Experiences of Ukrainian Displaced Persons in Bulgaria
Two Ukrainians, Yuliana from Kherson and Yulia, shared their experiences of living in Bulgaria after they moved from Ukraine due to the full-scale invasion. Both women talked about financial expenses, living conditions, healthcare, and the attitude of locals towards Ukrainian displaced persons. They noted that after Bulgaria switched to the Euro, the cost of living significantly increased, particularly, Yuliana's utility bills doubled.
Yuliana, originally from Kherson, first moved to Odesa and in 2024 went to Bulgaria with her husband. Initially, she lived in Sunny Beach, and later settled in Varna. Yulia, who had previously lived in Portugal for three years, also moved to Bulgaria due to the rising cost of living in her previous country of residence.
Financial Expenses and Living Conditions
Prices and the cost of living in Bulgaria became a topic of discussion for both women. Yuliana estimates her monthly budget for two adults, a dog, and a car to be around €2000. According to her calculations:
- Housing rent - about €500
- Utilities - about €200
- Groceries - about €500
At the same time, Yulia pays about €900 a month for renting a two-room apartment with panoramic windows, and her grocery expenses amount to €600–700 monthly. Yulia's utility bills range from €120 in summer to about €200 in winter.
The attitude of locals towards Ukrainians has also become an important topic. Once at a gas station, a local man told Yuliana:
“You are guests here.”However, Yulia had unpleasant situations: once by a lake, a man unleashed his dog on her and demanded she leave the country. These incidents reflect the varying reactions of locals towards Ukrainian displaced persons.
Healthcare and Challenges
Regarding healthcare, Yulia faced problems after moving. Due to stress, she began experiencing panic attacks, and the prescribed therapy led to serious physical issues, including headaches, seizures, and insomnia. In one critical situation, when Yulia called an ambulance, the team did not respond and advised her to get to the hospital herself.
The article also mentions a blogger who runs a channel about moving to Poland. She spoke about the high cost of living in Warsaw, noting that rent and food expenses consume a large part of the salary. According to her observations, the quality of water in Warsaw has led to hair problems, and she also noted a lack of sunny days compared to Mykolaiv.
The experiences of Yuliana and Yulia reflect the difficulties faced by Ukrainian displaced persons in other countries, particularly in Bulgaria. High living costs, unpredictable attitudes from locals, and issues within the healthcare system are serious challenges for Ukrainians trying to adapt to new conditions. These stories emphasize the importance of support and understanding from society to ease the integration of displaced persons into new communities.
Others Ukrainians who left their homeland in search of better living conditions are also facing similar adaptation difficulties abroad. For example, one of the Ukrainian bloggers shared her thoughts on why she doesn’t plan to return to Europe from the USA, highlighting the differences in living conditions and attitudes towards Ukrainians in various countries. This indicates that the issues of adaptation and perception of Ukrainian displaced persons remain relevant in many countries.