Galery

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Yes. In any case when someone is hiring a European citizen – independently of whether the person is from Holland, Bulgaria or Romania, there must be an employment contract and the condition for it is to have the necessary documents, which allow residence or work.

Is it easier for Bulgarians to open a business here now?

Yes, now it is easier. Of course, bureaucracy always exists but previously a special document was required for permanent residence or work. It was very hard to get it and you had to show ?60 000 in your bank account as a guarantee – all this is now gone. Now, even if you have a Ltd. firm in Bulgaria, you can open a branch in Greece. But when you consider how many documents are required, then it’s a hassle. According to different statistics about European countries, Greece is the hardest one to start a business in. On the other hand, Bulgaria is the Balkan Hong Kong – you need little money and you can open a firm in a week.

According to you what kind of business do Bulgarians usually do in Greece?

They usually have small businesses, not even average. They open small food, cosmetics stores, some women open sewing stores. There are also transporting firms, which transport passengers and luggage. There are clubs, bars, etc.

Has the number of people starting businesses increased after the easier procedure came?

The desire to start a business has increase. But having in mind that the average age of Bulgarians and the potential here are mostly older women… The young people who live here have learned the language and have lived long enough in Greece to want to make something theirs, in order not to be cleaners or waiters all live.

What brought you to Greece and how did you manage to find a job in the right profession?

I’m married for a Greek and I managed to recognize my diploma. I passed all necessary exams in order to be able to practice as a lawyer.

How did you meet your husband?

He was studying in Bulgaria and when we made he was working on his dissertation. After I graduated from law school, on the fourth-fifth year, we got married. After that I came to Greece. But before that I had travelled a lot – we used to come here every summer and I realized that I like the atmosphere as a way of life, I also liked the climate. For me it was very important to have to live through a long and cold winter. I started learning Greek from Sofia, because I wanted to be ready. For the first one-two years I was among Greek speakers and I was talking in English because I didn’t understand anything.

Did integrate easily?

As a person I am always very open and I never had any problems with integration. I haven’t faced racism, on the contrary, I was greeted with a lot of love. I adapted very fast, especially when I learned the language, which a barrier but when solved, it opens many others.

What do you like in Greece?