Home / Blog / Buying property in Bulgaria as a foreigner: rules and steps (2026)
Burgas and the southern Black Sea coast attract buyers from all over Europe and beyond — for the sea, prices that are lower than in Western Europe, and a relaxed pace of life. Since 1 January 2026 Bulgaria has been in the euro area, which makes buying even easier for buyers from euro countries. In this article we explain the rules for foreigners and how the purchase works in practice.
The rules depend on the buyer's citizenship.
Citizens of the EU and the European Economic Area buy on the same terms as Bulgarian citizens — apartments, houses and also land, including building plots.
Citizens of non-EU countries — for example the United Kingdom after Brexit, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel or the USA — can freely buy:
The restriction for them concerns the ownership of land. So when buying an apartment in a residential building, a non-EU citizen acquires the home itself, not a share of the land under the building. This does not stop them using the home, renting it out, selling it or leaving it in a will.
If a non-EU buyer wants to acquire land — for example a house with a garden — this is usually done through a company registered in Bulgaria (an EOOD) which they own. The company has its own accounting and tax obligations, so consult a lawyer and an accountant before choosing this option.
Documents issued abroad must be legalised or apostilled and translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator.
The steps are the same as for Bulgarian buyers:
If you do not speak Bulgarian, a sworn translator must be present at the signing of the notary deed; they translate the deed orally and sign it together with the parties. The notary deed is drawn up in Bulgarian.
Yes. The viewing can be done by video, the documents sent by email, and the transaction signed by your representative under a notarised power of attorney. Many of our clients from abroad come only once — to see the home or to collect the keys.
Payments under the transaction are made by bank transfer — to the account of the developer or the seller. When transferring from abroad, keep the bank documents showing the origin of the funds: banks and notaries are required to check them under the anti-money-laundering law. Since in 2026 Bulgaria pays in euros, there is no currency exchange when paying from a euro-area country.
Some Bulgarian banks also grant mortgages to foreigners, but the conditions are stricter — they usually require income that can be proven and a larger down payment. Most buyers from abroad finance the purchase from their own funds or with a loan from a bank in their own country.
Our team speaks Bulgarian, English, Russian and German, and our website is also available in Turkish. We help with the viewing (on site or by video), with the building's documents, with arranging a notary and a translator, and after the purchase with renting out and looking after the home. Write to us at sales@unihome.bg or call +359 888 415 465.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a lawyer about your specific case.