Most people know Bulgaria as a small tourist country on the Black Sea coast. However, this is not one professional destination this country is famous for. There are many local experts in software development, application building, web design, and other IT fields. Some reputable magazines even often include Bulgaria in the rankings of the most powerful IT countries from Eastern Europe.
Bulgaria has more than 100 thousand highly qualified specialists. There are dozens of large IT companies in Bulgaria. Many local companies and global giants turn to development specialists like N-iX. What are the most promising cities in Bulgaria when it comes to IT? We would like to dedicate this article to the topic of the biggest IT hubs in this country.
1. Sofia
Bulgaria’s most notable IT center is Sofia, the capital city. The city has a thriving technology ecosystem that helps draw in many local and international companies. In terms of digital sector development, the population of Sofia is over 1.2 million people, which is of considerable importance for the country. As a result of rapid urbanization and a highly educated workforce, the city is a perfect place for IT businesses and GIT businesses, from startups to big multinational companies. Furthermore, Sofia provides advanced infrastructure and access to the best talent, which are critical for tech companies looking to be innovative and expand.
In the last decade, Sofia has been leading the Balkan region for digital transformation and software development. Sofia boasts several IT parks and coworking spaces, as well as a very active startup scene. Therefore, this is a key player in Bulgaria’s digital economy. Sofia also has a significant number of conferences and tech events and a strong IT network, so this is a good city for performing IT jobs.
2. Plovdiv
The next city we want to include in our selection is Plovdiv. Besides being a beautiful city with a great history, it will be one of the biggest IT hubs in the country in 2025. Why is it so? The city has a population of more than 300 thousand people, so technology and labor demand are skyrocketing here. That’s why some of the Bulgarian IT companies are concentrated in this city.
You may ask how Plovdiv provides such numerous IT professionals. Quite simply — Plovdiv has 9 higher education institutions that graduate several thousand specialists every year. Many foreigners from the nearest foreign countries also come to this city to start a career in web development. They are attracted by affordable prices, a pleasant climate, and the positive attitude of the state to the new labor force.
3. Varna
Varna is a rising new technology and innovation center on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. In addition, the city has also seen IT companies grow exponentially and has a focus on industries such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. Varna is a particularly attractive place for IT entrepreneurs due to its vibrant tech community and increasing number of tech professionals. The presence of top universities and a youthful, educated workforce fosters the city’s rise in the tech sector. With its high quality of life and coastal lifestyle, Varna is also a good place for local and foreign talent.
The strategic city of Varna, together with the city’s commitment to innovation, is the perfect place for businesses to expand their technological abilities. There is a growing need for advanced technologies like machine learning, and it’s growing the city’s IT community rapidly. With the further growth of Varna, it can become one of the leading IT hubs in Bulgaria and present many opportunities for tech business cooperation.
4. Burgas
Another emerging IT hub is Burgas, which is situated on Bulgaria’s southern coast. The city’s strong IT presence is attributed to the increasing infrastructure and active support for tech-driven companies. It is a good place in which to locate an IT company, given that the local government highly supports innovation and digital transformation. Why is Burgas on the tech industry radar?
- A growing number of startups and tech companies.
- Increasing collaboration between universities and businesses.
- Attractive cost of living and work-life balance for employees.
Burgas provides the necessary competitive advantages for businesses: software development, mobile applications, and cybersecurity. As the city expands, it’s developing as a way for local and overseas companies to provide an outstanding competence and business development environment.
5. Veliko Tarnovo
The last city we want to tell you about is Veliko Tarnovo. Due to its historic architecture, this city will become one of the major players in its IT landscape in 2025. Located inside the country, the city is known for its beautiful medieval architecture and is now beginning to be recognized for its budding tech culture.
In addition, the town’s tech development is also facilitated by Veliko Tarnovo’s educational institutions. Here, universities have specific specialized programs in software engineering and IT. With its rich cultural heritage and forward-thinking attitude to technology, the city is distinguished as a leading IT hub that is destined for further growth. The digital climate in Veliko Tarnovo is quickly developing, and the city has the potential to become a source of significant power and bulk within the nation’s expanding IT business.
Wrapping up
Despite the small area and population of Bulgaria, it ranks high in the list of the best countries in Eastern Europe in terms of IT destinations. As you already know, several major cities represent IT hubs — Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and other cities that are covered above leading IT firms in Bulgaria. Companies like N-iX help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses through development, engineering, and other processes.
Why should you target these cities? They have a high concentration of professionals and companies and a high demand for IT services. That’s why these are great cities to start your career in IT or get qualified help to develop the right digital products. Experts predict that the IT market will continue to grow in Bulgaria, including the most prominent hubs.
