Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know
Ivan Kunev

Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know

Ivan Kunev · 03.10.2025 · 3 min read

Selling an apartment or a house by the sea: preparation, documentation, and protecting your interests.

Contents
  1. Key Documents Required for Sale!
  2. Do You Need to Come in Person?
  3. How Long Does the Sale Take?
  4. Why Russian Owners Should Trust Us?
  5. Want to Know Your Property’s Value Today?
Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know

Selling a property in Bulgaria often seems complicated for Russian owners. Many of them live in Russia or abroad, while the property itself is located by the sea — in Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sozopol, or Burgas. How to collect all the documents? Is it necessary to come in person? How long does the sale take?

In this article, we explain step by step what documents are required to sell real estate in Bulgaria, how to prepare properly, and how HomeOption agency will guide you through the entire process quickly, safely, and without unnecessary stress.

Key Documents Required for Sale!

Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know

To complete the deal, the notary will require the seller to provide the following:

  • Notarial Deed (bulg. Нотариален акт) – the main document confirming ownership rights.
  • Certificate of no debts – regarding utility bills and maintenance fees (if in a complex).
  • Cadastral Sketch/Extract – includes property identifier, boundaries, and area; needed for precise identification.
  • Certificate of Encumbrances – proving the property is free of mortgages or court restrictions.
  • Act 16 – occupancy permit for new buildings.
  • Tax Valuation – issued by the municipality, required for notarial transfer.
  • Marriage Certificate / Spouse’s Consent – if the property is jointly owned.
  • Valid ID document – seller’s international passport; if sold by proxy – the attorney’s passport and original power of attorney.

Important: In Bulgaria, documents are issued only in Bulgarian. If you are in Russia or abroad, we organize the preparation and certified translation of all documents remotely.

Do You Need to Come in Person?

Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know

Good news – selling real estate in Bulgaria can be done without your personal presence.
A power of attorney is signed at a notary in your country of residence, then translated and legalized in Bulgaria. Our lawyers and notaries fully assist with this process.

On the day of the deal, the following are required: original power of attorney, passport details of both the principal and the proxy.
This way, you can sell your apartment while staying in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or any other city – and receive the funds directly to your bank account.

How Long Does the Sale Take?

Documents for Selling Real Estate in Bulgaria – What Russians Need to Know

With proper preparation, the notary appointment itself takes only 1–2 hours. The key is to gather the documents in advance and work with a reliable agency that prepares buyers and safeguards your interests.

Typical timeline:

  • Document preparation – 2 to 6 weeks
  • Buyer search – 1 to 3 months (depending on property type)
  • Final signing with a notary – on the agreed date

Why Russian Owners Should Trust Us?

We are a real estate agency based in Nessebar, working for many years specifically with Russian property owners.

  • We speak Russian, English, and Bulgarian.
  • We know the South Black Sea market inside and out.
  • We handle all bureaucracy: documents, translations, notary, taxes.
  • We attract real buyers from Bulgaria and across Europe.
  • We guarantee transparent transactions and fast bank transfers.

Note: The list above is only a basic scheme. In practice, each deal is unique, depending on the property’s condition, location, legal status, and the seller’s circumstances.
Our strength lies in experience, professional contacts, tools, and expertise — ensuring a simple and smooth process for all parties.

With us, you can sell your property in Bulgaria easily, even while living thousands of kilometers away.

Want to Know Your Property’s Value Today?

If you’d like to receive a personalized consultation about selling your property, contact us — we’ll answer all your questions and propose the best solution for your situation.

Contact us for a free property valuation – we’ll provide an honest market price, realistic timelines, and a clear sales strategy.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are needed to sell a property in Bulgaria?

Mainly the notary deed of ownership, a cadastral sketch, a tax valuation certificate and a certificate of no outstanding debts (utilities and maintenance fee, if the property is in a complex). The notary may ask for additional documents depending on the case.

Can I sell my property without coming to Bulgaria?

Yes. A power of attorney is signed before a notary in your country of residence, then translated and legalised in Bulgaria. The deal is signed by your representative.

How long does the sale take?

Preparing the documents usually takes 2 to 6 weeks and finding a buyer 1 to 3 months, depending on the property. The signing at the notary itself takes 1–2 hours.

How do you help owners who live abroad?

We speak Russian, English and Bulgarian, take care of the documents, translations, the notary and taxes, and look for buyers from Bulgaria and Europe.

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