Tutors in Bulgaria: 2026 Prices, English, Bulgarian, IELTS

If your child is in Bulgarian school and falling behind, prepping for matura or IELTS, or you've decided to learn Bulgarian after the move — you need a tutor. On the coast you'll find local teachers, native English speakers, and Russian/Ukrainian-speaking specialists across all subjects. Here are the 2026 prices, how to pick, and how many sessions actually deliver results.

Available subjects and directions

Languages:

• English (A1 to C2, including IELTS / TOEFL / Cambridge)
• Bulgarian for foreigners (from zero to confident speaking)
• German, French, Spanish, Italian (smaller selection)
• Russian, Ukrainian (for émigré kids keeping the language)

School subjects:

• Maths, physics, chemistry — in Bulgarian or Russian
• History, literature — in the school's language
• Matura prep (Bulgaria's school-leaving exam)
• Biology, science (Bulgarian «OЧВ»)

Extras:

• UK GCSE / A-level prep for kids planning to study in Britain
• School-readiness (4–6 yrs): reading, counting, fine motor
• Music, drawing, chess

2026 prices — per hour

Prices are for 60-minute individual lessons. Small groups (2–4 students) — 30–40% cheaper per student.

Online or in-person

Online (Zoom, Skype, Google Meet):

• + 20–30% cheaper
• + Access to top tutors in Sofia, Varna, anywhere
• + Lesson recording for review
• + No travel for the child
• − Worse for kids under 10 (focus drains on screen)
• − Worse for speaking languages
• − Needs good internet and a quiet room

In-person (at the tutor's or your home):

• + Better for younger kids
• + More effective for spoken languages
• + Tutor sees physical issues (handwriting, posture, behaviour)
• − More expensive
• − Tied to schedule and location
• − Home call-out — +€5–10 to the hourly rate

Hybrid: part in-person (contact, speaking), part online (grammar, homework). Good for teenagers.

Bulgarian school prep for foreign kids

The most common request from Russian/Ukrainian/British/German families. The programme:

1. Bulgarian as a second language. Basic vocabulary, grammar, reading. 2–3 sessions per week of 60 minutes. After 3–6 months — confident enough for class.
2. Curriculum adaptation. Maths, science, history — in Bulgarian. So the child doesn't fall behind while learning the language.
3. Homework support. Help with Bulgarian-language homework, hard-topic breakdowns.

Package cost: €18–28/hour. Course 3–6 months. For 6–10-year-olds — usually six months is enough; older (12+) — a year.

IELTS / TOEFL prep

Different goals for different students:

• IELTS 6.0 — most EU and UK universities
• IELTS 6.5 — top European, parts of UK
• IELTS 7.0+ — Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial
• TOEFL 100+ — US

How many sessions from each level:

Price: €25–45/hour with a local tutor, €35–60 with a native speaker. Standard pace — 2 sessions per week.

How to pick a tutor

1. Education and experience. For language — linguistics degree + 3+ years' experience. For school subjects — teaching degree + experience with your child's age.
2. Past student results. Ask specifics: «kid moved from C to A in 4 months», «raised IELTS from 5.5 to 6.5 in 3 months».
3. Certifications. English: CELTA / TEFL / DELTA. IELTS prep: must have personal experience taking the exam (at least 7.5+).
4. Trial lesson. A good tutor offers a first session at 30–50% off (or free) to demonstrate the approach and agree the plan.
5. Working plan. By session 3, the tutor should have a clear plan: topics, tests, milestone checks.

What should happen in a trial lesson

• Diagnostic of current level (test, conversation, problem-solving)
• Goal discussion (what to achieve, by when)
• Method and format explained
• 1–2 month plan with milestone checks
• Schedule, payment, cancellation terms agreed

After the trial you should feel «clear on what we'll do and how». If the tutor doesn't propose anything and waits for you to direct — bad sign.

What parents should check

Monthly:

• Test on covered material
• Tutor's notes: what works, what doesn't, what to focus on
• Plan adjustment if something isn't working

Every six months:

• Full programme assessment
• Compare against goals: where you should be vs where you are
• Decide: continue with this tutor or switch

Booking via Helply BG

Open the Helply bot → «Tutors & education» → city → describe the job:

«Need a Bulgarian tutor for a 10-year-old, moving to Burgas in August, need prep for 4th grade Bulgarian school. 2× per week, 60 min, in-person in Lazur or online. Budget up to €25/hour.»

Within 30–90 minutes you'll get 3–5 quotes. Each tutor shows: education, experience, programme, reviews, format (in-person/online), price.

Bottom line

A tutor in Bulgaria: €15–35/hour depending on subject and experience. Native English speakers, Bulgarian for foreigners, IELTS prep, Bulgarian-language schooling — all available. Focus on concrete results, a realistic plan, and regular progress checks. Don't pay for «process without outcomes».

Find a vetted tutor — via the Helply BG Telegram bot. Free for clients.