About Melssa

Melssa is the practical handbook for moving to and living in Bulgaria. We write the guides we wish existed when friends from abroad kept asking the same questions: how do I actually get a residence permit, what will life really cost, which bank will open an account for me, and is the 10% tax as good as it sounds.

The site is run from Bulgaria. Every guide is checked against official sources — the Migration Directorate, the National Revenue Agency, the Bulgarian National Bank — and against what actually happens at the counter, which is not always the same thing. When rules change, guides get updated, and every article shows its last update date.

Why “Melssa”?

Melsa was the legendary Thracian founder of Mesambria — today's Nesebar, the UNESCO old town on the Black Sea coast. The name has meant “a place to settle” for about 3,000 years. We think that's a good omen for a site about settling in Bulgaria.

What you'll find here

• The complete moving guide — the big picture, step by step
• Visas & residency — every route, honestly assessed
• Money & tax — the 10% flat tax, banking, property
• City guides — where to live, with the downsides included
• Community Q&A — ask anything, every question gets an answer

Nothing on this site is legal, tax or immigration advice — it's well-researched general information. For decisions that matter, talk to a licensed Bulgarian professional.

Questions, corrections, ideas? Get in touch — corrections make the site better for everyone.