Bulgaria real estate: Mandatory closing costs for property buyers

Purchasing real estate in Bulgaria involves several mandatory closing costs that typically range between 3 and 5 percent of the purchase price. These costs vary depending on the property value and the specific municipality.

The primary expenses include:

• Notary fees: Required for a valid transfer of ownership, these fees are tiered based on the official notary fee schedule. For mid-range apartments, fees generally fall between 0.3 and 0.8 percent of the purchase price. • VAT on notary fees: A 20 percent value-added tax is applied specifically to the notary fee itself, not the property purchase price. • Land registry fees: An entry fee of 0.1 percent of the purchase price is required to register the new owner in the Imoten Registar, often with a minimum amount of approximately 5 to 10 euros. • Municipal acquisition tax: An additional local tax imposed by the municipality.