Costs of buying property in Bulgaria: notary, tax and fees
What you pay on top of the price when buying an apartment or house in Bulgaria: local transfer tax, notary fee, registration and agency commission.
The notary fee follows the official tariff. Small extra fees for checks and copies (usually a few dozen euros) are not included.
Translation and a sworn interpreter at the notary, required if you don't speak Bulgarian, are not included either.
What you pay when buying property in Bulgaria
The biggest cost is the local transfer tax, 0.1% to 3% depending on the municipality, charged on the higher of the price and the tax valuation. The calculator knows the rates of Sofia, Balchik, Burgas, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Samokov, Stara Zagora, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo.
The notary fee follows a sliding tariff and never exceeds €3,067.75 plus VAT. Registering the deed costs 0.1% of the price, at least €5.11. If an agent is involved, expect a commission of 2 to 3%.
The buyer usually pays these costs, but the parties can agree otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
How much are the costs of buying property in Bulgaria?
For a €150,000 apartment in Sofia, about €5,335.49: transfer tax, notary fee with VAT and registration, without an agency. That is roughly 3.56% of the price.
Can foreigners buy property in Bulgaria?
EU citizens can buy apartments, houses and land. Citizens of non-EU countries can buy apartments and buildings, but not land directly; they often buy through a Bulgarian company.
What is the property transfer tax in Bulgaria?
Between 0.1% and 3%, set by each municipality. In Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas it is 3%.
How much is the notary fee?
It follows a sliding scale. For €150,000 the fee is €571.24 before VAT, and it never exceeds €3,067.75 before VAT.
Who pays the costs, the buyer or the seller?
Usually the buyer pays the transfer tax, the notary and the registration fee, but this can be agreed otherwise in the contract.