A detailed guide to selling real estate in Bulgaria for foreign owners.
Bulgaria is traditionally considered one of the most attractive destinations for real estate investment among foreign buyers. Mild climate, picturesque nature, affordable prices and loyal legislation — these are just some of the factors that form a steady interest in the local housing market. At the same time, for many owners sooner or later comes the moment when they need to put their property for sale. In this article we will look in detail at all the key aspects of successful realization of an apartment or house by foreigners on the Bulgarian market.
Advantages of selling for foreigners
Bulgarian legislation creates the most favorable conditions for non-residents wishing to sell their property. Unlike many other European countries, there are practically no restrictions or discriminatory barriers for foreign owners. Here are the main advantages of selling real estate for foreigners in Bulgaria:
1. Full legal legitimacy of transactions.
2. Transparency and clarity of the procedure at all stages.
3. absence of unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
4. Simplified procedure for execution of documents.
5. Guaranteed protection of the rights of non-resident owners.
6. Possibility to delegate a significant part of the processes to representatives.
Thus, the state creates the most comfortable legal regime for foreigners, allowing them to fully realize the rights of real estate ownership.
Preparation of documents
A successful sale is impossible without careful preliminary preparation of a full set of documents. It is necessary to check in advance the availability and relevance of the following papers:
- A passport or other valid identity document of the seller. The presence of a visa or permission to stay in Bulgaria is not required.
- Permanent address of registration at the place of residence.
- Tax identification number assigned by the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency. It can be obtained online quickly and free of charge.
- A notarized extract from the cadastre or a municipal property deed confirming the ownership of a particular object.
- Extract from the Land Registry that there are no arrests.
Stages of the sale process
After successful preparation of the documentary package, the process of selling an apartment or a house in Bulgaria for a foreign owner can be divided into the following key stages:
- Searching for a potential buyer.
At this stage it is recommended to use the services of professional real estate agencies, which have up-to-date databases and effective marketing tools. Experienced specialists will be able to competently present the object, attract maximum attention of buyers and ensure quick results. - Agreeing the cost and terms of the transaction.
After identifying interested buyers, it is necessary to enter into negotiations to agree on the final price and all the nuances of the transaction. Here it is important to be flexible, objective and cool-headed, based on up-to-date market data. - legal check of the “cleanliness” of the object.
At the same time it is necessary to initiate a legal examination of the history of the real estate object for the absence of any encumbrances, arrests or other restrictions. This is a guarantee of a safe and legitimate transaction. - Preparation of a preliminary agreement.
After agreeing on all the conditions, lawyers prepare a preliminary contract of sale, which fixes the agreements reached. The document is signed by both parties. - Notarization.
The next important step is to visit a notary to certify the main contract of sale of real estate. The notary guarantees the legality of the transaction and the protection of the interests of both parties. - State registration.
The final stage is the entry of information about the new owner in the state registers — cadastre and land registry of the region. After that the process of selling an apartment or a house is considered to be fully completed.
It is important to note that at all stages the foreign owner can be present in person or issue a notarized power of attorney to his representative. This is especially relevant for those who do not have the opportunity to be in Bulgaria.
Install our app and get all the tools you need to search for real estate abroad in your smartphone! The mobile application will allow you to quickly access your personal account, manage your favorite properties and track your requests, directly exchange messages with sellers and buyers.
Market trends
According to the forecasts of leading analysts, in 2025-2028 the Bulgarian residential real estate market will remain attractive for both local and foreign buyers. Stable demand will be supported by a number of favorable factors:
— Comparatively low housing prices by European standards
— Developed tourist infrastructure in major cities and resort areas
— Mild climate, especially on the Black Sea coast
— Excellent transport accessibility
— Security and stable economic situation in the country
— Simplified regime for real estate ownership by citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other countries
Compact apartments of up to 70-80 square meters in large cities and seaside resorts will be most popular with buyers. Particular demand is expected in such regions as:
- Burgas.
Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria and one of the main resort centers on the Black Sea coast. Many residential complexes of different price categories are concentrated here. The proximity to the sea, developed infrastructure and transport accessibility make real estate in Burgas very attractive for buyers. - Varna.
Varna is another famous Bulgarian resort located on the Black Sea coast. The city attracts tourists with its picturesque nature, abundance of historical sights and developed beaches. Apartments in new buildings and secondary housing in Varna are in stable demand. - Nessebar.
Nessebar is a small ancient town on the Black Sea coast with rich cultural and historical heritage and excellent beaches. Real estate here is highly valued due to its unique atmosphere and proximity to the capital Sofia. - Sozopol.
Sozopol is another picturesque seaside resort town known for its sandy beaches and diverse architecture. Compact apartments and townhouses in new residential complexes attract many buyers.
According to analysts, prices for residential real estate in these regions are expected to increase within 5-8% compared to last year. But even taking into account rotsenki square meter will remain very competitive for foreign buyers.
Taxes and fees on sale
When selling real estate in Bulgaria to foreign citizens should take into account the applicable taxes and fees. The current taxation system provides for a progressive scale depending on the following factors:
- The period of ownership of the property.
If the apartment or house has been owned for less than 3 years, a capital gains tax of 10% of the transaction amount is levied. If the property has been owned for 3 to 5 years, the rate is reduced to 7%, and no tax is levied if the property has been owned for more than 5 years. - Cadastral value.
The higher of two values is taken to determine the tax base — either the actual value of the transaction or the last determined cadastral valuation of the property. - Taxpayer status.
Foreign citizens pay tax only on income earned on the territory of Bulgaria. Other rules apply for residents.
In addition to taxes, the transaction will require the payment of fees to notaries and state fees for the registration of new property rights. Their total amount is usually 2-3% of the sale amount.
Enlisting professional help
In order to ensure the fastest, safest and most profitable sale of an apartment or house in Bulgaria, it is highly recommended for a foreign owner to engage professional intermediaries. This will significantly save time, effort and money.
- Real estate agencies.
Experienced real estate agencies will act as guides at all stages of the process — from the advertising campaign and search for buyers to the conclusion of the transaction. Thanks to their extensive database of contacts and local knowledge, they will quickly find suitable options. - Law offices.
Legal support is a prerequisite for a legitimate and safe sale of real estate. Professional Bulgarian lawyers will thoroughly check all documentation, conduct Due Diligence, draw up competent contracts and protect you from risks. - Notaries.
The services of notaries are also inevitable, as they are the only persons authorized to certify real estate Given the complexities of the tax legislation and the different status of the sellers, it is wise to take the help of specialized tax consultants. They will help optimize payments and avoid penalties. - Centralized online platforms.
For maximum convenience of foreign owners, there are specialized digital platforms for the sale of foreign real estate, such as Centrarium.com. Here you can get expert advice, select reliable partners and fully control the process remotely.
Involving professionals will certainly require additional expenses. But in the end, it is a justified investment that will help maximize the benefits of the sale, reduce risks and save a tremendous amount of time and effort.
Real Estate Agencies in Bulgaria
Conclusion
Selling an apartment or a house in Bulgaria for a foreign citizen is a realizable task, provided a competent approach is taken. Preliminary preparation of a full package of documents, careful study of current market trends, consideration of tax peculiarities and involvement of professional intermediaries at all key stages are the key to the success of the transaction. Bulgaria still retains its attractiveness for investors due to affordable prices, developed infrastructure and loyal legislation in relation to foreign buyers. High season is expected in such popular regions as Burgas, Varna, Nessebar and Sozopol, where moderate but stable price growth is forecast.
If you are planning to sell your property in Bulgaria, we recommend that you start preparing in advance, be patient and soberly assess all the nuances of the upcoming transaction. Be sure to take the help of professionals — realtors, lawyers, tax consultants, who will take care of most of the routine work. Do not neglect current market reviews and analytics to correctly determine the price and identify the interests of potential buyers. With a competent approach and compliance with all the formalities of the process of real estate realization will go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Remember that in Bulgaria there are clear rules of the game, which fully take into account the interests of foreign owners. Be vigilant and attentive to details, and the success of the transaction for the sale of your apartment or house will be guaranteed to you!
Key points:
✔ Bulgaria is an attractive destination for foreigners to own and sell real estate
✔ Loyal legislation and absence of discriminatory barriers
✔ High demand is expected in the resort areas of Burgas, Varna, Nessebar and Sozopol
✔ Careful preparation of documents — the key to a successful transaction
✔ Involvement of professional intermediaries saves time and minimizes risks
✔ It is important to take into account the progressive taxation scale when selling the property
We hope that you find this detailed guide as useful and informative as possible. In case of additional questions, we invite you to seek individual advice from the experts on the online platform of foreign real estate Centrarium.com. We wish you a successful and profitable sale!
Real Estate in Bulgaria
73 
2 
1 
1 
2 
On January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania will become full members of the Schengen area, joining the EU visa-free area after years of negotiations. This decision opens a new chapter in the European integration process for these countries.
Learn how to sell real estate without complications, even without being in the country! You will learn all the nuances of successful sale of an apartment or house in Bulgaria by foreign citizens. We will cover legal aspects, stages of the transaction, taxation and current market trends.
Planning to invest in Bulgarian real estate? In this article we take a detailed look at all the associated costs, taxes, fees and additional expenses. Find out how much you will realistically need to invest in buying and maintaining a home in this country.
