Bulgarian real estate market sees rise in buyer negotiations and discounts

The Bulgarian real estate market is entering a more mature phase characterized by increased buyer negotiation and rising discount rates. Data from the third quarter of 2026 indicates that buyers are becoming more strategic, with a significant portion of transactions occurring below the initial asking price.

In Plovdiv, 60% of deals involve discounts, followed by Varna at 59% and Sofia at 55%. In Burgas, the discount rate stands at 45%. Despite these negotiations, property prices per square meter continue to rise. For example, two-bedroom apartments saw price increases of 23% in Plovdiv and 22% in Varna. In Burgas, two-bedroom prices rose by 8% and three-bedroom prices by 7% over the previous year.

The time required to complete a property purchase is also shifting. In Sofia, the average time has decreased to 53 days, while in Plovdiv, it has extended from 31 to 52 days. In Burgas, the search period has nearly doubled, increasing from 36 to 68 days. While discounts in Sofia can sometimes exceed 10,000 euros, the most common reduction remains around 5,000 euros.