Buying costs in Bulgaria: what you pay on top of the price
Pick a country, enter the price and see each tax and fee with its low and high amount. Every figure comes from our published buying guide for that country.
- Transfer tax — 2%–3%. Municipal tax. Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas charge 3%.
- VAT on new builds — New build: Varies, ask your lawyer. Our guide lists 20% VAT on new builds and says to verify it before purchase.
- Notary — 0.5%–1.5%. Progressive scale.
- Land registry — 0.1%. Property registration.
- Lawyer — 0.5%–1.5%. For new builds, your lawyer should verify the Act 16 commissioning certificate.
- Agent fee — 2.5%–3.6%. Buyer-side commission, if applicable.
- Translator / interpreter — Varies, ask your lawyer. A translator is required at the notary for non-Bulgarian speakers; our guide gives no fee.
Our guide's own total: 5 to 10% of purchase price
This is an estimate based on our guides, not legal or tax advice. Rates change and depend on the property; confirm every figure with a local lawyer before you buy.
Read the full Bulgaria buying guide · Homes for sale in Bulgaria
Questions
What are the total costs of buying property in Bulgaria?
5 to 10% of the purchase price including transfer tax, notary fees, registration, legal fees and any agent commission.
How high is the transfer tax?
The municipal transfer tax is 2 to 3%; Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas charge 3%.
Do I need a translator?
Yes. The final notary contract is executed at a notary, translator required for non-Bulgarian speakers.