If you want to buy a property in Bulgaria, you need to follow a few steps, as presented below. You can rely on the support of our dedicated lawyers during the procedure.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Specific legislation applicable (YES/NO) | The Property Act |
|
Possibility of foreigners to acquire Bulgarian properties (YES/NO) |
Yes, foreign citizens can buy properties in Bulgaria. |
|
Types of properties that can be purchased in Bulgaria |
– residential units, – commercial spaces/buildings |
| Real estate due diligence required (YES/NO) | No, however, it is advised. |
| Documents to prepare for property acquisition |
– sale-purchase contract, – identification papers of the buyer and seller, – the title of the property, – a Land Register extract with the specifics of the property, – ownership certificate |
| Financing options availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, it is possible to acquire a property in Bulgaria through mortgage. |
| Special property acquisition programs for foreign citizens (YES/NO) |
No |
| Timeframe to acquire a property in Bulgaria (approx.) |
1 to 2 months |
| Fees to consider upon a property purchase |
– notary fee, – property registration fee, – legal fees, – real estate agent fee (if applicable) |
| Registration requirement (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Restrictions for foreigners (if any) |
Yes, foreigners cannot acquire government-owned land plots. |
| Residency requirements for foreign citizens buying real estate |
No, no residency requirements apply. |
| Possibility to appoint a local representative during the transaction (YES/NO) |
Yes, for this purpose you can use our legal services in Bulgaria. |
| Property tax rate in Bulgaria |
0.15% of the appraisal value of the property must be paid annually. |
| Support in buying a property in Bulgaria (YES/NO) | Yes, we offer support for purchasing a property in Bulgaria. |
| Possibility to purchase properties for companies (YES/NO) | Yes, companies can also acquire real estate in Bulgaria. |
|
Approval for foreigners to acquire real estate (if any) |
No, not for residential or commercial properties (historical buildings may require governmental approval) |
|
Property reservation requirement (YES/NO) |
No |
| Steps to buy a property in Bulgaria |
– property search with a real estate agency or not, – due diligence, – negotiation, – purchase, – Cadaster registration |
| Advance payment to secure property (if any) |
In certain cases, a 30% advance payment may be made, but it is not a rule. |
| Time frame to register the property after purchase |
No later than 2 months after the acquisition |
| Special VAT rate for real estate transactions (if any) |
– residential property sales are exempt from VAT, – commercial properties are subject to a 20% VAT rate |
| Legal representation required (YES/NO) |
No, however, it is advised. |
| Capital gains tax rate for the disposal of property |
10% |
| Possibility to rent the property after purchase (YES/NO) | Yes, the property can be rented. |
| Currency in which the transaction can be completed |
Leva or euro (prices are often calculated in euro) |
| Special requirements for foreign investors (if any) |
No |
| Requirement to maintain purchased property by foreigners (YES/NO) |
No, there is no requirement to keep a property after acquisition. |
| Possibility to buy land by foreigners (YES/NO) |
No, restrictions apply in this case. |
| Possibility to obtain residency by buying a Bulgarian property (YES/NO) | Yes, however, the buyer needs to live in Bulgaria in order to gain residency. |
Table of Contents
What are the steps to buy a property in Bulgaria?
If you want to buy a property in Bulgaria in 2026, you need to complete the following steps:
- research the market or use the services of a real estate agency;
- once you find the desired property, hire a lawyer for the real estate due diligence process (our Bulgarian lawyers have experience in this field);
- make an offer on the property, if everything is in order with it;
- sign the sale contract;
- complete the transaction by making the payment.
Can I buy real estate in Bulgaria if I am a foreigner? Are there any restrictions?
Yes, you can. With respect to the restrictions, the following details are important to note:
- as an EU citizen, you can buy both real estate and land;
- as a non-EU citizen, you can buy real estate, but not land.
IMPORTANT! As a non-EU citizen, you can acquire land provided that you register a company in Bulgaria (the ownership will be through the company).
Here is also an infographic on how to acquire real estate in Bulgaria:
What are the documents to buy a property in Bulgaria?
Just like any other acquisition, when you want to buy a house in Bulgaria, you need to draft various documents. Among them are:
- the sale agreement, which must be drafted in accordance with several laws;
- the Certificate of Tax Evaluation;
- the Title Deed, which is issued by the Land Register upon the registration of the new owner.
Then, depending on other specifics of the property and the buyer, other documents may also be required. For example, a Certificate of the Marital Status of the buyer if the real estate is bought together with one’s spouse.
When buying land in Bulgaria, a sketch of the land plot is also required. The Certificate of Encumbrances issued by the Land Register must also be on the list of documents when you decide to buy a property in Bulgaria.
Special attention must be paid by companies acquiring real estate in Bulgaria, as these need to register with the National Statistical Institute.
Do I need to come to Bulgaria to purchase a property?
No, if you are satisfied with the conditions of the acquisition, you can grant our Bulgarian lawyers a power of attorney to represent you during the transaction.
Are advance payments customary when buying a property in Bulgaria?
Yes, you will be required to make an advance payment (usually EUR 2,000) to retain the property.
How can I pay the remaining amount?
The payment is made to the bank account of the seller.
What is the currency I can use to purchase a property in Bulgaria?
Starting with 2026, you can make the payment directly in Euro. However, sellers also accept other international currencies, such as the US dollar or British pound.
Is it possible to secure a mortgage in Bulgaria as a foreigner?
In Bulgaria, real estate mortgages are also available to foreigners; however, the conditions and qualifications for approval differ according to the lender and the terms of the loan.
In order for a foreigner to be eligible for a property loan, there are a number of specific conditions and requirements that must be met. These include having a valid residence permit or having Bulgarian citizenship, providing the required documentation, such as proof of identity and income, and meeting the lending institutions’ requirements.
Our Bulgarian attorneys can help in inheritance matters if you are the owner of a property obtained this way. Here is also a video on this subject:
How long does it take to buy a property in Bulgaria?
The procedure takes about 2 months to complete.
What are the taxes associated with buying property in Bulgaria?
There are several costs associated with purchasing a house in Bulgaria, and they are expressed as a proportion of the selling price, as follows:
- 1% to 4% in property transfer taxes;
- 1% to 2.5% in notary fees;
- 0.5% in registration fees;
- 2.5% to 5% in real estate agent fees, provided that intermediary services were used.
It is also worth noting that the value added tax for real estate transactions in Bulgaria is levied at 20%.
Please contact our law firm in Sofia if you want to buy real estate.
Note: A buyer from Singapore, for example, would not be able to buy a house in Bulgaria, that has plots of land or gardens. It can only be bought by non-EU foreign investors if they have previously registered a company in Bulgaria. This restriction is about to be lifted.