•  How shall we start our property search?
Have a look at the properties on our website and when decide which properties you like, send us an email with any questions you might have about the properties using the “Send inquiry” button located under the description on every offer. For viewings you need to arrange a trip to Bulgaria and let us know. We will then set the necessary appointments. You can also ask us any other questions that you have, we’re here to help!

•  How do we see the properties that we are interested in?
If you tell us in advance when you will be coming to Bulgaria, we can arrange viewings to fit your schedule (even a tight one!). We don’t charge a viewing fee, but we charge € 0.30 per km. We can also arrange your accommodation and meet you at the airport.

•  What do we need to bring with us on our first visit?
Obviously you will need your passport, but also some Euros if you want to place a deposit immediately. (You can bring up to 10,000 Euros each into Bulgaria without declaring it if you have come from another EU country.). We would suggest you bring some sturdy shoes if you are looking at properties in the country, as some may be less accessible than others.

•  How do we reserve a property?
You will need to pay a deposit (normally about 10% of the price and a minimum of 1000 euros) which is non refundable. This ensures that the property is removed from the market and not sold to anyone else.

•  Can we pay by credit card or travelers’ cheques?
Travelers’ cheques are cashed only in the big towns and they charge high commissions on them. You can pay us using your credit or debit card for your property. Normal cheques take about 4 weeks to clear and they are not suitable for payments, especially for placing a deposit!

•  Is it possible to buy without coming to Bulgaria?
Yes, this is possible, but not always so straight forward. You will have to get documents signed and stamped in the UK. It is often easier and quicker to come to Bulgaria for a couple of days and sort everything out here. Plus, you will be able to see the property.

•  Will we get ownership documents for the property?
Yes, you will have title deeds in your name, or if you are buying through a company, your company name.

•  What if we want to have renovations carried out on our property?
No problem, we can recommend a complete range of professional tradesmen who will work to the budget that you set them. You just need to tell them your requirements and negotiate the different options with them.

•  What about our company tax returns?
Every year you have to submit your annual tax return, the same as in the UK. We have accountants that can do this for you. Our after sales package will include this service as one of the options available to you.

•  Do we need a visa?
At the moment EU citizens can stay in Bulgaria for 90 days in any 6 months. Any more than that and you can easily apply for a Residence Certificate once you are in Bulgaria. This is valid for up to five years. Non EU citizens should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in their home country, for up to date visa information.

•  What about the cost of living there?
Compared with UK prices, this is extremely cheap. A loaf of bread should be about 50 Euro Cents, a pint of lager about 1 Euro, a packet of cigarettes about 2 Euros. A litre of petrol is about 1 Euro.
It's not possible to compare living costs in Bulgaria and Western Europe.
A few examples: House insurance is around 100-200 € Euros per year for buildings and contents (depending on the type of house). For a 30,000 € Euros property, insurance against theft, flood and fire costs about 125 € Euros per year with a decent insurance company like Allianz. For heating, there are central heating systems in the big cities: monthly costs for a 2-bedroom apartment around 100 € Euros. In the towns and villages, people use charcoal and wood, which is a cheaper way to heat a house. For electricity, when used for cooking, lighting or heating water, one pays about 30 € Euros monthly. Local and national taxes for owning a property vary greatly depending on the location, but for the capital (and most expensive area) expect to pay around 150 Euros for a 2 bed apartment.

•  Driving a car in Bulgaria.
There are few annual fees that must be paid every year to drive a car in our country:
Third party insurance, 80 Euros per year. Road tax (depending on the engine power): around 80 Euros per year for a 2.0 litre engine and MOT, 20 Euros per year. Many cars in Bulgaria are equipped with LPG systems, which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than petrol. Bulgaria has the cheapest brand new cars in Europe. For example a brand new Renault Clio costs only 10 000 € EURO. Second hand vehicles of any type and brand are also widely available.

•  Can we use our credit and debit cards when we come?
In the bigger towns, you can use your cards, but still only in the larger shops. All the hotels will accept cards, and all the major petrol stations, but in general most other transactions are carried out in cash.
 
•  What about telephones?
It’s not worth bringing over a UK stationary phone for your new property as they will not work in Bulgaria. Mobiles will work, either with a Bulgarian SIM card or using your UK card if it is suitable.

•  If our property is only going to be occupied for about two months of the year, do we really need to get good security for the rest of the time?
Yes, we recommend you have special alarm system and private property protection which costs around 25 - 30 Euros per month. There are some very professional companies in Bulgaria providing such a service.

•  What are the regulations for the import and export of currency by foreigners
Travellers entering or leaving the EU and carrying €10 000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies or easily convertible assets such as cheques drawn on a third party) have to make a declaration to the customs authorities.
This follows the entry into force of a new European Regulation aimed at fighting money laundering, and the financing of terrorism. Customs authorities are empowered under the Regulation to undertake controls on individuals, their baggage and their means of transport and detain cash that has not been declared.
Travellers must be aware that all Member States apply penalties in the event of failure to comply with the obligation to declare as laid down in the Regulations.

•  Do I need a visa for Bulgaria?
Holders of valid ordinary passports from the countries of the European Union and some other countries (USA, Australia, Japan, etc.) do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for up to 90 days within each period of six months. Such passport holders need a visa only if their stay in Bulgaria will exceed 30 days, if they need to enter the country a number of times for a longer period of time, or if they need a long-term visa.  Russian citizens need to apply for a visa in order to visit Bulgaria.                         
Read more about visa requirements for Russian citizens

•  Are there any restrictions on buying property by a foreign national in Bulgaria?
There are no restrictions on buying property without land in Bulgaria for a foreign national. You can buy as many apartments in Bulgaria as you can afford! However, if your intention is to purchase and own land (including building plot, house with garden, summer house, apartment with accruing shares of the land on which the apartment building is built), you will have to be permanently staying in the country..
What kind of tax do I owe for my property purchased in Bulgaria?
The amount of taxes and fees varies according to the location of the property.
There are two kinds of tax for the property owners to keep in mind:
- property tax, paid annually, based on 0.15% of the tax value of the property (calculated by the respective tax department and different from the market price)
- refuse fee,  paid annually, based on the property value, varying from 1.6 to 5 per 1000 according to property location and municipality.
 
•  How do I register my property in Bulgaria?
The notary will register the notarized deed at the registration office with the respective district court. This can be done by the parties too, but it is most common for the notary to do it. Registration usually takes from 1 to 3 days. According to the Bulgarian legislation every foreigner who does not possess a Bulgarian personal identity number or a foreigner's identity number and owns a real estate property in Bulgaria has to be entered into the BULSTAT Register at the Registry Agency, Ministry of Justice within 7 days of the purchase.
 
•  Which are the most popular beach and ski resorts and towns in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria offers excellent opportunities for investment in holiday property. If you prefer the sea, we recommend investing in Varna and Bourgas  - the sea capitals of Bulgaria, Sozopol and Nessebar - sea towns famous for the preserved authentic architecture, Sunny Beach and Golden Sands - the largest and the most popular beach resorts on the Black Sea coast. Not to be underestimated is Albena - the oldest sea resort located at the northern seaside where three new golf courses are under construction. Rich in high mountain ranges, Bulgaria has many ski resorts with first-class ski facilities and tracks. Bulgaria's No. 1 ski resort is  Bansko , located at the northern foot of Pirin Mountain. The other ski hotspots are Borovets in Rila and Pamporovo in Rhodope.

•  What documents are required from the seller at the sale of a real estate?
At the sale of property, the seller must have the following documents:
     1.Document for ownership (notary deed or another ownership certificate);
     2.Document for identity (identity card, passport);
     3.Tax assessment of the property (done by the taxation authorities);
     4.Plan of the property (if the object of the deal is a yard);
     5.Partition report (if the property has been divided);
     6.A certificate that the property hasn’t been declared municipal (only for deals with yards; this certificate is issued by department “Municipal ownership”);
     7.A certificate that the building has been constructed according to an approved architectural plan - (necessary only if there has been construction in the property, which has not been stated in the notary deed);
     8.A certificate for inheritors (required if the owner is dead);
     9.Power of attorney (required if the seller cannot be present during the organization and conclusion of the deal, and has authorized another person);
     10.Other documents according to the characteristics of the property, for example a death certificate, a birth certificate, a divorce certificate, a marriage certificate, etc

•  Why is a preliminary contract necessary?
The preliminary contract for sale of a real estate is an agreement between the seller and the buyer. It contains the basic elements of the final contract (information about the seller and the buyer, about the property, price, terms, etc.). The preliminary contract for sale of a real estate does not transfer the ownership right over the property. Through the preliminary contract the seller and the buyer only take responsibility to conclude a final contract in the future, with which to transfer the ownership right over the property.
The preliminary contract must be in written form. When it is signed, the Buyer pays to the Seller a deposit, usually 10% of the property price.
Check for legal burdens of the real estate.
Before the deal is concluded at the notary’s office, a check must be done at the registering service for legal burdens of the property. If the property has any burdens, after the sale they are transferred to the new owner, and he/she takes responsibility for them.