大象传媒

Sarfraz Manzoor meets the British retirees who are moving to rural villages in Bulgaria and can have a good life on their UK pensions.

They can buy a house for as little as the cost of a 'second hand car', as younger Bulgarians abandon their homes for the city lights or opportunities in the cities or other countries like Britain.

Despite the fact that life is hard for Bulgarians, they welcome the Brits, recognising the benefits they bring to village life and the local economy. Retired Brits also benefit from the reciprocal health care and, when Sally Rickard had breast cancer, all her treatment was free and there were no waiting lists.

By contrast, Bulgarians often have to pay for medication and towards treatment. Such is the plight
of some of their Bulgarian neighbours that a group of Brits have set up a charity to help them.

None want to go back to UK and are worried that, if Britain left the EU, they wouldn't be able to afford to continue living in Bulgaria.

Producer: Sara Parker
A Juniper production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.