Apartments for Sale in Bulgaria: Sofia, Black Sea and Mountain Resorts

1. Ask for the notary deed (нотариален акт) and verify it at the Registry Agency.
2. Confirm that the building has an occupancy permit (Act 16), especially for new builds.
3. Check maintenance fees and whether they are paid up.
4. Verify the area: Bulgaria distinguishes net, built-up and common parts, and prices are usually quoted on gross area.
5. In resorts, inspect off-season quality, heating and management.
6. Confirm the heating type; district heating (Toplofikatsia) debts can follow the flat.

Foreigners can buy apartments in their own name; the land restriction for non-EU citizens does not affect apartments in most cases. Typical costs include local transfer tax of around 2% to 3%, notary fees and registration, plus legal fees. Confirm with a lawyer and see the Bulgaria buying guide. For funding, see Bulgaria financing.

The two markets behave differently. City flats in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna are bought to live in or let long term, and their value follows local salaries and tenant demand. Resort apartments on the coast and in the ski towns are bought mostly for holidays, and many were built in a rush when foreign demand peaked. Some complexes are half empty, with unfinished amenities and unpaid maintenance fees. Visit in winter, talk to owners already living there, and ask the management company for the accounts before you commit. A cheap sticker price can hide annual fees that eat a large part of any rental income.