Quick answer: what bilingual schools are there in Sofia? Sofia offers Bulgarian-English bilingual private schools that follow the national curriculum with intensive English at roughly EUR 4,000 to 9,000 a year, historic bilingual institutions such as the American College of Sofia, and English-medium international schools offering IB and Cambridge programmes at EUR 10,000 to 22,000. Since Bulgaria adopted the euro in January 2026, all fees are quoted in euros.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Bilingual schools in Sofia have a longer history than most people expect. English-language education in the Bulgarian capital dates back to the 19th century, and today the city offers a genuine spectrum: Bulgarian private schools with heavy English immersion, long-established bilingual colleges that teach the Bulgarian diploma largely in English, and fully international schools serving the diplomatic, EU and technology communities. Sofia's fast-growing software sector and its role as a regional hub have swelled the international population, and with it the demand for schools that produce truly bilingual graduates. This guide sets out the options for 2026, where they are, what they cost and how to choose.
Why bilingual matters in Sofia
Sofia is compact and its international families cluster in the southern districts at the foot of Vitosha mountain: Lozenets, Boyana, Dragalevtsi and Simeonovo, plus the newer developments around Mladost and Business Park Sofia. Most bilingual and international schools sit in this southern arc or just beyond the ring road at Pancharevo, so commutes are short by European standards, though the ring road at rush hour is slow. Families usually choose the school first and then the neighbourhood, since everything is within a 20 to 30 minute drive.
The biggest practical change for 2026 is currency. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev at the fixed rate of 1.95583, so every school in Sofia now publishes fees in euros. That removes the exchange-rate guesswork that used to complicate budgeting for families paid in euros, and it makes direct comparison with schools in Bucharest, Athens or Vienna straightforward. The school year runs from 15 September to the end of June, with a two-week Christmas break and a spring break around Easter.
Bilingual and international curricula available in Sofia
- Bulgarian curriculum with intensive English: licensed private schools teaching the national programme, with English from age five and several subjects delivered in English, leading to the Bulgarian diploma and often Cambridge English qualifications.
- Bilingual Bulgarian-American secondary: the historic model of the American College of Sofia, where the Bulgarian diploma is taught predominantly in English alongside Advanced Placement courses.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): the full continuum at the largest international school, taught in English with Bulgarian as an additional language.
- British curriculum: EYFS through IGCSEs and A Levels at British schools in the southern suburbs.
Bilingual and international schools in Sofia
American College of Sofia
Founded in 1860 and re-established after 1992 on its Mladost campus, the American College of Sofia is a selective bilingual secondary school that teaches the Bulgarian diploma predominantly in English and offers Advanced Placement courses. Entry is by competitive examination after Grade 7 and the school is highly regarded by Bulgarian families. International students are admitted, but the programme assumes strong academic ability and a willingness to learn Bulgarian. Fees are moderate for the quality on offer.
Anglo-American School of Sofia
AAS, on a purpose-built campus in Pancharevo beyond the southern ring road, is the largest international school in Bulgaria and offers the full IB continuum in English from age three to Grade 12. Bulgarian is taught as an additional language, and the school serves the diplomatic and multinational community as well as Bulgarian families seeking an English-medium IB route. Fees are the highest in the city and the school runs buses across the southern districts.
British School of Sofia
The British School of Sofia teaches the English National Curriculum from early years through IGCSEs and A Levels, with Bulgarian language lessons for all students. It is smaller than AAS and attracts a mix of British, European and Bulgarian families who want a UK-recognised pathway. Its southern location suits families in Lozenets, Boyana and Dragalevtsi.
St George International School and Pre-School
St George is a licensed Bulgarian private school with a strongly bilingual model, combining the national curriculum with Cambridge International programmes so that students can sit both Bulgarian state exams and IGCSEs. It runs from pre-school through secondary and is one of the most popular choices for Bulgarian professional families and for expatriates who plan to stay long term.
Bilingual school fees in Sofia: what to expect in 2026
Indicative annual tuition for 2026-27 in euros:
- Bulgarian private schools with intensive English: roughly EUR 4,000 to 9,000.
- Bilingual Bulgarian-Cambridge schools: roughly EUR 7,000 to 12,000.
- American College of Sofia: roughly EUR 8,000 to 11,000.
- British School of Sofia: roughly EUR 10,000 to 16,000 depending on year group.
- Anglo-American School of Sofia: roughly EUR 15,000 to 22,000 depending on grade.
Extras to budget for: a registration fee of EUR 100 to 500, a one-off enrolment or capital fee of EUR 1,000 to 4,000 at the international schools, lunches at EUR 800 to 1,500 a year, buses at EUR 1,200 to 2,500 depending on route, uniforms at EUR 150 to 400 where required, and IGCSE, A Level or IB examination fees of EUR 400 to 900 in the final years. Educational services are exempt from Bulgarian VAT, so tuition invoices carry no tax.
The hard fact for 2026 is the euro changeover itself. Schools converted their fee schedules from leva to euros at the fixed rate of 1.95583 on 1 January 2026, and Bulgarian consumer protection rules required dual pricing through the transition to prevent rounding-up. Families comparing a 2025 fee list in leva with a 2026 list in euros should divide the old figure by 1.95583 before judging whether a school has raised its prices.
Practical tips for choosing a bilingual school in Sofia
Decide whether you want a Bulgarian diploma or an international one. The bilingual Bulgarian schools and the American College lead to the Bulgarian diploma, which is fully recognised across the EU for university entry, and cost far less than the international schools. Families staying three years or fewer, or heading next to a non-EU country, usually prefer the IB or A Level route.
Ask about Cyrillic and Bulgarian literacy for young children. Bilingual primary schools teach reading and writing in Bulgarian first, and a child arriving at seven or eight with no Bulgarian will need support. Most schools provide it, but ask how many hours and at what cost.
Check the bus route to Pancharevo and Boyana campuses. The southern schools are only a few kilometres from Lozenets, but the ring road and Simeonovsko Shose are congested at school run times. Ask for current pick-up times from your neighbourhood before signing a lease.
Compare Sofia schools side by side
Use the ranking of the best international schools in Sofia on International School Advisor to compare curricula, locations, reviews and published fees before you book your visits.
More guides to schools in Sofia
- How to choose an international school in Sofia
- International school fees in Sofia: 2026 cost guide
- Ranking of international schools in Sofia
Frequently asked questions about bilingual schools in Sofia
What is the difference between a bilingual and an international school in Sofia?
A bilingual school in Sofia follows the Bulgarian national curriculum under a Ministry of Education licence and teaches a large share of the week in English, leading to the Bulgarian diploma and often Cambridge qualifications. An international school teaches entirely in English following the IB or British curriculum, with Bulgarian as a subject, and costs roughly twice as much.
How much do bilingual schools in Sofia cost in 2026?
Bulgarian private schools with intensive English charge roughly EUR 4,000 to 9,000 a year, bilingual Bulgarian-Cambridge schools EUR 7,000 to 12,000, and the American College of Sofia EUR 8,000 to 11,000. English-medium international schools charge EUR 10,000 to 22,000. All fees are now set in euros following Bulgaria's adoption of the currency on 1 January 2026.
Can a child with no Bulgarian join a bilingual school in Sofia?
Yes at pre-school and the first years of primary, where schools expect mixed language backgrounds and children pick up Bulgarian quickly. From around age eight, bilingual schools following the national curriculum assume Bulgarian literacy, and entry to the American College of Sofia after Grade 7 requires a competitive exam. Older children without Bulgarian are better placed at the international schools.