A Bulgarian property listing tells you the price, the floor area and the view. It does not tell you whether the seller can actually sell, whether a bank holds a mortgage, whether a co-owner has a claim, or whether the top floor was ever legalised. Those questions are answered by a legal review, and they are far cheaper to answer before you pay a deposit than after.
We act for buyers and sellers on homes, offices, plots and investment property, and we have particular experience with clients buying from abroad.
Before you commit
We start with a full check of the property and the seller:
- Ownership history in the Property Register and the seller’s title documents
- Mortgages, attachments, easements, pending claims and other entries
- Co-ownership, marital property and the consent of all owners
- Status under the detailed development plan, building permits and occupancy certificate
- Restitution claims and other historic risks
- Unpaid local taxes and utility debts attached to the property
You receive a written report with a plain-language conclusion on whether to proceed, and what to fix or negotiate first.
Contracts and closing
We draft or review the preliminary contract — the document that fixes price, deposit, timetable and the consequences if either side backs out — and accompany the deal to the notary for the final deed and registration. For larger transactions we can arrange escrow-style payment through a notary or bank account.
Foreign buyers
Citizens of EU and EEA countries can buy any type of property on the same terms as Bulgarians. Other nationals can buy buildings and individual units — apartments, offices, shops — directly, but not land; for a house with a plot, the usual solution is to buy through a Bulgarian company. Our guide for foreign buyers explains the options, and buying above a certain value can also open a route to residence in Bulgaria.
When things go wrong
We also act in disputes over property: claims to recover possession, partition between co-owners, enforcement of preliminary contracts and defects in construction. See property rights for that side of our work.
Questions clients ask
Is a preliminary contract binding if the seller changes their mind?
Yes. If the seller refuses to sign the final deed, the buyer can ask the court to declare the preliminary contract final, which has the same effect as a notarial deed. The contract must contain the essential terms of the sale for this to work — one of the reasons we review it before you sign. See our guide on enforcing a preliminary contract.
What costs does a buyer pay on top of the price?
Typically the local transfer tax (set by each municipality at up to 3% of the higher of the price and the tax valuation), notary fees, the registration fee and legal fees. Who pays what can be agreed in the contract.
Can you handle the purchase while I am abroad?
Yes. With a notarised power of attorney we can sign the contracts, complete the deed and register the property on your behalf, keeping you informed at every stage.
