In this edition of Expats
Evgeny
He has been already almost 9 years in Bulgarian and don’t regret it!
Name and nationality:
Evgeny Artyukov. Russian citizen.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do
I was born and lived in the north-western part of Russia. We constantly moved for family reasons, and I consider many cities my native in the north of Russia. I like very much St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk. I have been living independently since my early age and working since I was 18 years old.
I have not been employed, but doing my business since I was 23 years old. Once, my friends and I had a shop in St. Petersburg, we were selling CDs and DVDs. Then, I took interest in Internet development for a number of reasons and began to develop customized websites.
Then when I
Now I administer various websites, including those which help foreigners to purchase insurance policies in Bulgaria, as well as optimize all stages of work in a couple of organizations. My hobbies are organizational efficiency (I adore bureaucracy, in the proper sense of the word) and radio-controlled models; I like to disassemble and to repair them. My dream is to build a race track for competitions of radio-controlled cars and to gather RC maniacs here regularly.
Why and when did you come to Bulgaria?
The north of Russia is a permanent leaden sky 300 days a year, lack of vegetables and fruits at normal prices, strained atmosphere and frowning faces. Well, in general, Russia is a controversial place, from where I wanted to run away as early as in my youth, without choosing a road. We finally decided to cut and run when my wife was pregnant. At that moment we had an opportunity to move to Bulgaria and we began to prepare to leave our homeland without hesitation. We arrived in Bulgaria on April 18, 2010. My oldest daughter was 8 months old. I can say that my life has become calmer since then.
What do you like about your country of origin?
Everything works fast all around, all areas are customer oriented, as well as there are responsible and optimized business processes at all levels. Any domestic issues are resolved quickly. For example, if you decide to change your front door at lunchtime, you will get a new one in 4-5 hours. Almost everything works there in this way.
What are some differences between your country and Bulgaria?
People are much calmer in Bulgaria than in Russia. They are much friendly, kind and smiley. They always try to help in everything.
There is no violent crime in Bulgaria and this country is rightly considered one of the safest in the world. There are rare exceptions, but they rather confirm the rule.
There is no corruption in Bulgaria, compared with Russia, and also, it seems to me, there is no stratification of society on the basis of belonging to power.
It is rare to see drunk or drinking people on the streets in Bulgaria. At the same time, you can buy alcohol 24 hours a day; while it is sold up to 10 p.m. in Russia, but this does not prevent people from drinking.
The quality of food is better in Bulgaria than in Russia.
The nature and climate of Bulgaria are ideal for life. Russia is snowy and icy especially in its northern part.
Attitudes towards people are simply beautiful in the state and near-state organizations in Bulgaria, compared to Russia. Chiefs and heads are not “demigods” in Bulgaria and you can easily communicate with them. For example, they tolerate corrections in documents with a corrector in Bulgaria. This is unacceptable in Russia. Made a mistake in the form? Fill in a new one. A typo was found in a document, wait until a new one is filled in.
Commercial structures are slower in Bulgaria compared to Russia. They do not try to optimize processes. Once I spent 5 hours opening a company account in Bulgaria and signed about 60 (!) papers. This can be done on-line in Russia, and then a bank clerk will come to check your passport information and to get your signature. Opening an account for an individual also takes 20-40 times longer in Bulgaria than in Russia.
What do you like about Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is an excellent place in many aspects, I mean raising children, living peacefully without spending large resources and developing. I would say Bulgaria is the crossroads of worlds. On the one hand, everything is mentally good, partly a bit “as before”, but on the other hand it is part of the European Union, the largest association in terms of its capacity, which is able to cope with any problems in a systematic way and which has a legal superstructure over every local authority. Bulgaria constantly develops and introduces many good things into life. Not everything goes smoothly, but it is only a matter of time.
What was the most difficult bureaucratic procedure you have undergone so far in Bulgaria?
We have never had problems with bureaucratic procedures in Bulgaria, probably because we grew up in an aggressive bureaucratic environment and are ready for any adventures in this field. Everything is pretty clear and understandable in Bulgaria, much lends itself to algorithmization. There is no problem if officials know well what to do. But there can be when a process is not standard for an official and one has not dealt with it before. Also, there may be problems due to the ignorance of language, but this is a technical problem that is solved with the help of an interpreter.
Mention one important experience you’ve had in Bulgaria:
Perhaps, I have only global thoughts, there were no specific cases.
Moving to any country is difficult both technically and psychologically. It is important not to give up. You are done for if this happens. Continue to whip the cream against everything. It is also important to understand that you are the bridge allowing your children to start living in the European Union. Only they will feel themselves right at home. But you will never. But perhaps you will be spoken well and they will raise glasses and toast you in a couple of generations. You shouldn’t figure on more. It is with this feeling that I continue to move forward.
What languages do you speak other than your mother tongue?
I speak Bulgarian, English, but at the primary level. At the same time, I begin to pay more and more attention to English.
What countries have you been to?
Turkey, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine.
How is your business going?
Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not a businessman and I do not hire anyone at the moment. I am rather a self-employed person. In Bulgaria, business is more likely a matter of medium and large organizations, and God grant them strength and patience! In general, the tax system is rather configured for a high-margin business in Bulgaria, and I know well how small entrepreneurs survive, hiring staff – they are under constant oppression of payments and deductions. In particular, VAT must be paid on achieving a turnover of 25,000 euros during a calendar year. This is very inconvenient, because such a turnover and a profit of 10-15% force people to either close or to register other legal entities and thus to enter into much commitments for reporting and administrative issues. Therefore, I think that it is pointless to start business in Bulgaria without having a large income plan, which will cover more than everything.
What advice would you give to other people who would like to come to live in Bulgaria?
Learn the language; you cannot integrate into the environment without it at all.
Constantly learn new things. Try. Repeat later, if you are depressed.
Beware of taxi drivers from small firms; they will put their hands in your pocket at the first opportunity. Always call a taxi by phone; this is almost a guarantee against criminals.
Charged property can be sold in Bulgaria. Be attentive and hire non-involved lawyers. Also,
Do not burn bridges, perhaps you are not adapted for emigration in general, but this should be put to the test. A permanent salary is ideal in your base country, where everything is already arranged and your business is perspective. A distant job is the second option where you feel good; know the market and your prospects. Savings for 5-10-20 years will be a good alternative. I consider other ways an extreme move, not many people can face them, and I do not advice even to try but for an adventurer. It is useless to say anything to adventurers, because they travel despite everything and break through to Bulgaria and remain here, violating all the laws of the universe.
Tranquillity permeates the Bulgarian society that people who have come from outside begin to understand this only after they lived a couple of years here. They don’t scream for small matters, they don’t rush, they don’t hurry here. Any conflict will most likely occur so that those around will not even hear. Conflicts themselves are very rare. It’s improper to raise voice, if it is not a matter of life and death. However, you will most likely drown in the calm of your opponent, and you will be no more interested in the conflict, because it will be energetically more expensive to resolve it than to forget. For example, Bulgarian mobile operators like to use this. At first you will be told about non-existing properties of a tariff, and after a contract is concluded and it turns out that everything is wrong, they will let you in an endless bureaucratic circle, where you will expend energy in writing statements and complaining. As a result, you will receive a refusal to cancel the terms of the contract. (Hello, Vivacom!)
Life flows slowly in Bulgaria. Very slowly. It will be difficult to start doing business or organizing something quickly here in the first instance. Something like this “Come on. In a fast-track manner, adventure for 20 minutes” does not work here. Moreover, it’s improper to rush and “exercise” a responsible person with frequent calls, except for normal business practices in a particular field of activity.
Thank you Evgeny to share your experience and impressions with all of us!
