BUYING A PROPERTY IN BULGARIA - THE WHOLE PROCESS IN DETAILS:

The buying process of Bulgarian property usually takes between 1 and 2 months.
1. Viewing Fee:
We charge 20 eurocent per km refundable in case of eventual completion of a deal within 6 months. For more than five consecutive days of property viewing a volume discount will apply to the viewing fee.
2. Company Registration Fee: EUR 500 (₤ 345).
Foreign citizens cannot purchase land in Bulgaria. Instead, they are supposed to register a company that can possess the property. This is the most common legal method to enable foreign citizens to purchase land. The fee includes all court and notary taxes, lawyer taxes, translations, etc. The fee does not include BGN 5000(EUR 2500) foundation capital for company registration. It can be withdrawn from the bank in full as soon as registration is completed. No company registration fee is required for buying of an apartment!
3. Property Transfer under the Company's Name:
Additional small charges depending on the type of property such as notary fees, purchasing property tax, stamp duties, etc. (For example, for a rural house they are between EUR 300 end EUR 450.). The purchaser must pay them. Agency Commission: 3% of purchase price with minimum fee of EUR 500.
Total Fee:
3% of the purchase price plus ownership change tax (plus additional EUR 500 for company registration in case there is a land with the property). If a third party solicitor or attorney is used, the fee is 3% of the purchase price for the brokerage service. Please note that it is not necessary for the client to come to Bulgaria to purchase a property. We can set up a limited ownership company on behalf of the client and buy the property. We will need a copy of client's passport, full address, all your passport details and address notary sealed, a 10% property deposit, agency commission of 3%, foundation capital of BGN 5000 or EUR 2500 (deducted from the property price), EUR 500 for registration of limited ownership company, and property transfer taxes of about 3% of the purchasing price (incl. notary taxes, notary fees, municipal tax, and stamp duty).
Please note that these taxes vary with time and the client will be notified accordingly. Before the notary act we will need the rest of the purchase price.
Our company lawyer Stanislav Stanev with experience in Bulgarian Law and solid reputation will be happy to give you legal advice and assist if any difficulties arise.
Buying Process of Bulgarian Property - A Detailed Explanation:
1. Select a property. Initially you can use our website and eventually you can come to Bulgaria to see the property. We can arrange individual trips to the sites.
2. Sign an agency (brokerage, intermediation) contract. Please note that at present foreigners can own buildings but not land in Bulgaria. This law is under review and is expected to be abolished, but at present foreigners can only own land by registering a company in Bulgaria and only through it to acquire legal land ownership. Most often the company is set as a limited liability company (Ltd). We will register the company and include the registration in our basic agency contract. Foundation capital of BGN 5000 (approx. GBP 1800) is required for company registration. It should be deposited in your company's bank account, will not leave the bank account at all and could be withdrawn in full as soon as the registration is completed. The whole process of registration usually takes 4 weeks at most. As soon as you make your choice you need to sign an agency contract with us, put a deposit and authorize us to organize and finalize the deal. Our total fee in the contract is 3% of the purchase price plus all property transfer taxes (usually 3% of tax estimation price). Often tax estimation price is 2-3 times lower then the purchasing price, depending on the type of the property. If you are buying a property without land (or if you have registered a Bulgarian company already) you will have to pay 3% of the purchase price + the taxes for transferring the property. If you are buying a property with land - the additional 500 EUR are for the registration of the company (see the above note). Please note that commission may vary for some properties but this is always announced accordingly. The deposit (at least 10%, which is negotiable with the seller) is necessary to take the Bulgarian property out of the market for about 30 days (also negotiable with the seller). By the end of this period you should start the purchasing process and pay the rest of the price. The deposit is not refundable in any case of failed purchase because of the buyer's fault. The deposit and our agency fee must be paid together when we sign the contract. You can pay total price without deposit, as we will treat it like reservation deposit. All deposits and fees can be paid cash or into our bank account in pounds, euros or BG levs. We will negotiate the payment method with you to match your requirements. If you wish to use third party solicitor or attorney chosen by you to do the remaining job our commission in the agency contract is 3% from the purchase price for the brokerage service only.
Steps:
Step 1.
Agency contract with us (contract to support you through the whole process of buying a property in Bulgaria)
Costs: Taxes for transferring the property+500 euro for registration of LTD, plus 3% of the purchase price, or only 3% from the purchase price if you want to use other solicitor
Beginning of the process and Estimation time:
After you choose a property or properties
Step 2.
At least 10 % deposit to take the property out of the market
Costs: The deposit is subtracted from the final price
Step 3.
Company foundation capital, deposited in your company's bank account and can be withdrawn in full as soon as the registration is completed.
Costs: 5000 levs. (2500 EUR)
Beginning of the process and Estimation time:
During the process of the registration of the company and takes maximum 4 weeks
Step 4.
Completion of the deal and signing the title deed (notary act).
Costs:
The property price
Beginning of the process and Estimation time:
Maximum 1 week after the registration of the company or whatever is the deal with the owner
SUMMARY:
Тaxes for transferring the property + 500 euro for registering a LTD3% agency fee. The price of the property paid to the owner or oonly 3% of the purchase price if you wish to use other solicitor chosen by you
TIME: Maximum 5 weeks after you choose a property or properties or whatever is the deal with the owner
3. Signing of title deed (notary act) before a notary. At this moment the price of the property is paid to the owner. After the signing you will receive the ownership documents. The Buying Process of Bulgarian property is completed. You will become an owner of Bulgarian property.