Information
Buying and selling in Bulgaria
Everything important at a glance – for buyers and for owners who want to sell.
Buying property
Buying an apartment in Bulgaria is easier than many people think – once you know the process. Here are the most important steps and costs. We guide you through every step, and our support is free of commission for buyers.
The process in 7 steps
- 1
Advice & viewings
We discuss what you are looking for and show you suitable properties on site.
- 2
Reservation
Once you have found your apartment, it is reserved for you – depending on the property, with a reservation payment.
- 3
Checks
Before the purchase, ownership, encumbrances and any outstanding maintenance fees are checked. For the legal checks we work with reliable lawyers.
- 4
Preliminary contract
Price, dates and deposit are set out in a preliminary contract.
- 5
Notary appointment
The purchase is signed before a notary. If you don't speak Bulgarian, a sworn translator interprets. With a notarised power of attorney you can also buy without being present.
- 6
Registration
The notarial deed is entered in the property register – usually within a few days.
- 7
Handover & afterwards
Handover of the keys. The municipality receives the purchase data from the notary; whether an additional property tax declaration is needed (e.g. for new builds), we clarify with you. If you wish, we take care of letting, management or renovation.
From the preliminary contract to registration usually takes 4 to 8 weeks.
What you need
- Passport; EU citizens may also use their ID card
- Bulgarian tax/personal number for foreigners (LNCh or a service number from the tax office) – we clarify the details with the notary
- A bank account for the transfer: in Bulgaria, payments of €5,113 (BGN 10,000) or more must be made by bank transfer
- To buy without being present: a notarised power of attorney with apostille and certified translation
Purchase costs
| Municipal transfer tax | 0.1 to 3% depending on the municipality – Pomorie (Aheloy) and Nessebar (Ravda): 3% each |
|---|---|
| Notary | statutory scale, e.g. approx. €470 + VAT for €100,000, plus small additional fees |
| Registration in the property register | 0.1% of the value |
| Sworn translator at the notary | approx. €100–300 |
| Lawyer (recommended) | depending on the work involved |
| Commission for buyers | none |
In Pomorie (Aheloy) and Nessebar (Ravda), with their 3% municipal tax, expect around 3.5 to 4% of the purchase price in total, correspondingly less in municipalities with a lower rate – plus translator and, if needed, a lawyer.
Open the purchase cost calculator Go to the yield calculator
Running costs
- Annual property tax and waste fee to the municipality, based on the property's tax valuation
- Maintenance fee of the complex for pool, gardens, video surveillance and upkeep – it varies by complex, and we state it for every property
Good to know
- Since 1 January 2026, the euro has been Bulgaria's currency.
- EU and EEA citizens may buy apartments, houses and land (special rules apply to agricultural land).
- Citizens of other countries (e.g. Britons) may buy apartments; land only through a Bulgarian company.
- Buying property does not in itself give a right of residence.
- Rental income is taxable in Bulgaria.
Act 14, 15 and 16 – what do they mean?
The shell of the building is complete; it is not yet habitable.
The interior work is complete; official acceptance is still pending.
Final inspection completed; the occupancy permit is then issued – only then is the building officially habitable.
As of November 2026. All information without guarantee; it does not replace legal or tax advice. Fees and tax rates are set by the state and municipalities and may change.
View suitable propertiesSelling property
Would you like to sell your apartment or house in the Burgas region? We take care of everything – from the valuation to the notary appointment. Even if you don't live in Bulgaria. And if you would rather let it, we can take care of that too.
What we do for you
Free valuation
We look at your property and tell you what price is realistic.
Photos & brochure
High-quality photos and a property brochure in German and English.
Website & portals
We publish your property on agaperealestate.eu and on property portals.
Viewings
We show your property to interested buyers – even when you are not there.
Support up to the notary
Documents, preliminary contract and notary appointment – we are at your side.
How the sale works
- 1
Contact
Write to us or give us a call – ideally with a few details and photos.
- 2
Viewing & price
We look at the property and give you a free valuation.
- 3
Photos & brochure
We take photos and prepare the brochure in German and English.
- 4
Marketing
Your property appears on our website and on portals; we carry out the viewings.
- 5
Sale
Preliminary contract, notary appointment and handover – we support you until the end.
Guides
What is it like to live on the coast around Burgas, and what do you need to know when buying? Local guides and answers, first hand.
Bulgaria buying guide as PDF
Process, documents, costs with example calculation and the key questions on 5 pages – free with your newsletter sign-up.