How to Buy A Property in Bulgaria

There are some main steps you have to go through when buying a property in Bulgaria. Choosing a property is the most important step in the buying procedure.
Whether you are looking for a permanent home or for a place to spend your holidays, will that be an investment with the intention of renting it out or future resale - the property should serve your purpose.

We can help you in choosing the most appropriate property for your future plans offering you a variety of options, so that you can compare their advantages and disadvantages and make the best decision for you and your family. Once you have decided which property suits you most, we pass on to the next step in the buying process.
If the property of your choice is land or house with land, we proceed with setting-up a company: According to the Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria foreigners may acquire ownership over land according to the conditions set in the Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union or by virtue of an international treaty which has been ratified, which has been promulgated, and which has entered into force for the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as through legal succession.

Regarding the citizens of the European Union the Accession treaty provides for Bulgaria may maintain for five years from the date of the accession the restrictions laid down in its legislation on the acquisition of ownership over land for secondary residences existing at the time of the signature of the Treaty of Accession (ANNEX VI from the Act of the Accession, s. 3 Free Movement of Capital, promulgated in L 157/278 of the Official Journal of the European Union). This means that until 2012 citizens of European Union member country will not be able to own land in Bulgaria for second residence. For the agricultural land the period is even longer – 2014.

Regarding non citizens of members of the European Union the legislation provides for they can own land only if an international treaty is adopted, promulgated and in force. Such treaties do not exist yet.

All above mentioned restrictions are not applicable if a foreigner would like to acquire an ownership over a building (or part of it) without the land it was built on.

There are some legal fees for the company registration, payable only once, amounting to  € 550. Another expense that expects you in future is the annual fee of the accountant for bookkeeping services, amounting to € 150.

If the property of your choice is an apartment without any land - you can buy it without establishing a company.
Taking the property off the market by paying deposit is the next important step in the buying procedure. We conclude a preliminary contract and you pay 10-15 % of the property price as a deposit.

Once we obtain the deposit from you, we thoroughly carry out the necessary checks on the property documentation like ownership, absence of debts and mortgages, availability of necessary licenses and permissions.

Important note: Sellers in Bulgaria have the right to advertise their properties with different agencies. It happens sometimes the property of your choice becomes object of interest of another client at the same time, who wants to buy it as well. In such situation sellers may gazump the price…The first to pay the deposit wins. We strive to prevent such situations by duly negotiating with the seller.To not let the property to be sold to someone else we recommend our clients to be prepared to pay the deposit as soon as possible.

Usually the period between signing the preliminary contract (when you pay the deposit) and property transaction (when you pay the remainder of the price), is about one month. We are aware that you may not have the time needed for the whole procedure. In case you are not able to stay or come back for the property transaction, we can finalize the purchase on your behalf. This is part of our service and is not additionally charged.

In order to pay the remaining balance of the property price we will help you open a personal bank account, where you can transfer the rest due. Bank transfers take 4-5 days before money reach the account, so the deadline of the purchase deal should be taken into consideration.

After all formalities related to the sale and the purchase of the property are performed, there comes the final stage of the purchase transaction - signing the Title Deed and transferring the ownership attested by a Notary Public. At this date you pay the rest of the property price to the seller, our commission, Notary and state fees. The Title Deed will be issued few days after it is duly sealed and signed and officially entered in the register of the court.
 
Congratulations! You are now owner of a property in Bulgaria!
 
There is one thing left: once the purchase was completed the new owner should declare the new bought property in the tax office. For the clients who have left a power of attorney for finalizing the deal, we accomplish this on their behalf; that service is not additionally charged.