The notary system in Bulgaria is very different from how the process works in the UK. The notary’s job in Bulgaria is to register the property documents at the local Land Registry office. Unlike the UK, where a notary usually only acts in one sector, Bulgarian notaries can work on anything from property to divorce and are therefore always busy.

When using a notary in Bulgaria you will pay a lot less than you would in the UK. However with this in mind you need to remember that the notary is not working for you, rather, they are there merely to check everything is in order, so don’t expect any favours from them.

It is however, the job of the notary in Bulgaria to make sure that you understand the documents and their meaning, as they will be written in Bulgarian script. You should have a translator work through the documents and they should then read the contract aloud to you, in English, in front of the notary.

Many investors not wishing to travel in person to Bulgaria choose to deal with real estate transactions from the UK by appointing an ‘attorney’. A legally binding document called a Power of Attorney is drawn up, notarised, legalised and sent out to Bulgaria to your Bulgarian lawyer or agent who will go in person to the notary’s office to act on your behalf.

Unlike in the UK, where property and land are owned as either freehold or leasehold, in Bulgaria there are not these concepts; it is often common for buyers to purchase a ‘share’ in the common parts, e.g. the garden. In Bulgaria it is necessary to set up a limited company in order to buy any form of land, including a back garden! The notary will be able to help you to do this and it is a perfectly legal loophole which allows foreign investors to purchase land.

Start your hunt for a home in Bulgaria here…
If you’re searching for a Bulgarian property, a good place to start is the Bulgaria Buying Guide’s property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.bulgariabuyingguide.com/content/bulgaria-properties