There are questions that sound almost rhetorical, but in fact say a lot about the reality we live in. Are we richer than the Italians? Judging by the prices in restaurants – it may seem so. If we look at incomes – the picture changes dramatically.
A walk along Sofia's "Vitoshka", and not only that, let's just take a walk in the center of Sofia, can easily create the feeling that we have caught up, if not overtaken, Western Europe. Pizza in Rome costs between 10 and 14 euros - on "Vitoshka" the prices are already between 10 and 16 euros. Spaghetti in Italy costs around 8-12 euros, and in the center of Sofia - 10-11. Coffee? 2 euros in Rome, 2 euros here too. Desserts - you know, cake, are cheaper in Bulgaria, but the difference is minimal. And when it comes to wine in a restaurant - the prices are practically equal, on a bottle basis, because they start on average from 30-35 euros. Here we may even have a slightly better price. A glass of wine in Rome is 8 euros, so if four people drink a glass, there will still be a little left in the bottle. In the sense that the bottle is rented a little more than 4 glasses, because things are simply calculated. Of course, we are talking about mass wine. Prices start at 30-35 euros, so with a more expensive bottle the bill for a glass does not come out.
At first glance - equality. In reality - deep inequality.
Because behind these similar prices lie completely different incomes. The average salary in Italy is significantly higher than that in Bulgaria, and the purchasing power - incomparable. This means that for an Italian, pizza is an everyday thing, and for many Bulgarians - increasingly a small luxury. Coffee on the go in Rome is part of the culture, while in Sofia it is starting to become an expense that is considered a second thought.
The paradox is clear - no, we are not richer than the Italians. But at times we pay like them. And this is exactly where the problem lies - not in the prices themselves, but in the discrepancy between them and income.
Minimum Wage
As of early 2026, the average wage in Italy remains one of the lowest among major economies in Western Europe, with young professionals under 34 often earning around or below €27,000 gross per year (approximately €2,250 gross per month). The average gross wage in Italy is expected to remain around €29,000 - €31,000 per year (or approximately €2,400 - €2,600 per month), depending on sector, region and experience. The net wage after taxes is significantly lower, often below €1,500 - €1,700 per month for many employees. By the beginning of 2026, the average gross salary in Bulgaria continues to grow, reaching levels of around 2,741 BGN as of December 2025. The minimum wage in Bulgaria from 1 January 2026 is 1,212 - 1,213 BGN (around 620 euros). In Italy, there is no single statutory national minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set through national collective labour agreements (CCNL) for each individual sector, which guarantee specific levels of pay. In Italy, discussions continue on introducing a statutory minimum wage (e.g. from €9 per hour), but sectoral agreements are currently leading.
So, when the standard of living does not catch up with prices, the result is not European equality, but a Bulgarian illusion of it.
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(ed. – first-person story and photos)