If you are a foreign citizen and wish to purchase real estate in Bulgaria, you will need to prepare the following documents and follow the necessary legal procedures:
1. Documents from the Buyer (Foreign Citizen or Company):
-
Passport – for identification during the notarization of the transaction.
-
Registration with BULSTAT (for foreign legal entities) – if the transaction is conducted through a company, it must be registered in Bulgaria.
-
Power of Attorney (if you are not present personally) – if the purchase is being made through a representative, a notarized and translated power of attorney is required.
-
Additional Declarations (if the transaction is conducted through a representative):
-
Declaration under Article 25, Paragraph 8 of the Notaries and Notarial Activity Act – confirms that the buyer acts voluntarily and knowingly.
-
Declaration under Article 264, Paragraph 1 of the Tax and Social Security Procedure Code (TSSPC) – confirms that the buyer does not have unpaid tax liabilities.
-
Declaration under Article 6, Paragraph 5 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) – declares the origin of the funds used for the purchase of the property.
Important:
-
All documents must be notarized and, if the buyer is outside Bulgaria, the documents must be apostilled and translated into Bulgarian by a licensed translator.
-
Declarations are usually signed before a notary on the day of the transaction.
2. Documents from the Seller:
-
Notarial Deed – proves that the seller is the owner of the property.
-
Property Sketch (for houses and plots) – issued by the Agency for Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre.
-
Cadastral Scheme (for apartments) – a document showing the exact area and boundaries of the property.
-
Certificate of Encumbrances – issued by the Registration Agency and confirms that there are no mortgages or other encumbrances on the property.
-
Tax Assessment Certificate – proves that all local taxes and fees have been paid.
-
Certificate of Marital Status of the Seller – required when selling by an individual to determine if consent from the spouse is necessary.
-
Act 16 (for new buildings) – confirms that the building is operational.
3. Notarization of the Transaction:
-
The buyer and seller sign a preliminary contract (optional).
-
The transaction is notarized before a notary in the area of the property.
-
The buyer transfers the amount to the seller's bank account or makes a cash payment (if the amount is less than 10,000 BGN).
-
The notary registers the transaction with the Registration Agency.
-
The buyer receives a new notarial deed and officially becomes the owner of the property.
4. Additional Steps After the Purchase:
-
Transfer of utility accounts for electricity, water, internet, and other services.
-
Registration at the municipality for payment of the annual property tax and garbage collection fee.
If you have any questions or need professional assistance with the purchase, feel free to contact us!
