Hiring a Nanny in Bulgaria on Holiday: Prices, Tips, Where to Look

You arrived in Bulgaria with kids and after two days of sandcastles and «mum-dad-let's-go-to-the-sea», you want one evening out as a couple — dinner at a real restaurant without tantrums, or an evening excursion. A nanny at your apartment solves it — but only if you find a good one. Here's where to look, what to pay, and what to ask.

Booking formats on the coast

Hourly (the default). She arrives at the agreed time, works 3–5 hours, leaves. €8–15/hour for a local Bulgarian, €12–20/hour for an English-speaking sitter. Minimum booking is 2–3 hours.

Full day (8–10 hours). If you're off on a Sozopol excursion or a wine tour. Flat rate of €60–100/day on average.

Overnight. Night-flight arrivals, or you and your partner want a romantic hotel night without the child. €80–150 per night (10–12 hours). Apartments only, where there's somewhere for the nanny to rest.

«On the road». The nanny joins you on an excursion or trip — not everyone agrees. Priced as a full day plus travel costs.

Where to look

1. Helply BG Telegram bot

Describe what you need: city, date, hours, child's age, language, special notes (cooking / no cooking, park walk / indoor play, allergies). Within 5–15 minutes you'll get 3–5 offers from nannies working in your city. Compare rating, reviews and experience — choose, pay the nanny directly.

2. Recommendations from your host

If you're staying via Airbnb, Booking or a local host, ask: «Do you have any trusted nannies?». Many coastal apartment owners have regular nannies they recommend to guests.

3. Facebook expat groups

A «who would you recommend?» post in a relevant expat group typically gets 10–15 replies in an hour. Read the replies carefully — sponsored recommendations do exist.

4. Hotel reception

Big hotels (Melia, Barceló, Riu) have kids' clubs, and reception can often connect you with an external nanny. Expensive (€25–35/hour) but with minimal risk.

❌ What to avoid: random people on the beach and «agents» around apartment complexes offering «very cheap and good nannies». The risk of an irresponsible sitter is high.

What to ask when choosing

1. Experience and child age range. «I worked 3 years with 2–4-year-olds» is more useful than «I love kids».
2. Documents. ID, health book, and for Bulgarian nannies — a childcare certificate if they have one.
3. Common language. If your child only speaks English and the nanny only speaks Bulgarian — that's stressful for both. Confirm up front.
4. First aid. Does she know what to do about fever, allergies, insect bites? Bonus if she has first-aid training.
5. A reference contact. Ask for the phone number of at least one previous family. Call them.
6. What's included in the price. Just sitting, or also walks, cooking, reading? Clarify in advance.

How the first meeting should go

1–2 hours before you leave: the nanny arrives while you're still at home. She meets the child. You show her:

• Where the food is and what the child can eat
• Allergies and any medications
• Where the toys, books and cartoons are
• How to use the TV, Wi-Fi password
• Where the first-aid kit is
• Contact: your phone number plus an emergency contact (reception, neighbour)

Leaving: the first time, try to be away no more than 2–3 hours. See how your child copes.

When you're back: ask the nanny and child separately how it went. If both are relaxed and the nanny shares details — all good. If the child is withdrawn and the nanny is fidgety — be careful.

Average prices by city (2026)

Coastal specifics

Peak summer (July–August): nannies get booked out 2–3 days ahead. Reserve in advance.

Hotel kids' clubs. If you're all-inclusive at a big hotel, there's usually a kids' club for ages 4–12, 10:00–17:00, free. For under-4 or evenings — you'll need a private nanny.

Beach + nanny. On the beach a child usually wants their parents anyway. Nannies are most useful in the evening (parents go to dinner) or when you're off on an adults-only excursion.

Cash vs card. Most independent nannies — cash only (euros or leva). Agencies sometimes take cards.

Booking via Helply BG

Open the bot → «Home & household» → pick your city → describe the job like this:

«Need an English-speaking nanny on 12 June, 19:00–23:00, at Sunset Beach apartments in Sunny Beach. Girl aged 4, nut allergy. Calm, likes Lego, would like the nanny to read her a book before bed.»

Within 5–15 minutes you'll get 3–5 offers. Each nanny shows rating, reviews, photo and experience. Choose — agree the details directly in Telegram.

Bottom line

Hiring a nanny on Bulgaria's southern coast is realistic in under an hour if you know where to look. €10–20/hour for an English-speaking sitter, more for overnight or weekends. The essentials: check documents, read reviews, and always do a short first meeting at home before leaving.

The fastest way to get offers from several vetted nannies — via the Helply BG Telegram bot. Free for clients.