Bought real estate in Bulgaria, but did not get a BULSTAT number? You may face fines, blocked tax account and problems with the bank. In this text - what is BULSTAT, why is it needed, what is the risk without it. And most importantly: how to quickly get a number so as not to lose money.
What is Bulstat?
Bulstat is a state system for registering people and companies in Bulgaria. If you buy real estate, run a business or work as a freelancer, you need to register in this system.
After registration, you receive a personal number (EGN for individuals or EIK for companies) for paying taxes, concluding transactions, and working with government agencies.
With Bulstat - legal, comfortable life in Bulgaria. Without it - fines, prohibitions and bureaucracy. Only with a number you can save on taxes, get discounts in stores and get advantageous insurance.
Who needs to apply for Bulstat and when?
After purchasing a property in Bulgaria, you have 7 days to register Bulstat. This is mandatory for all foreign owners.
With this number you can legally pay taxes, connect electricity without unnecessary bureaucracy, and calmly sell real estate in the future.
5 Reasons Why You Risk Your Property Without Bulstat
Payment of property tax .
Its size depends on the cadastral value and is paid at the city hall.
Registration of public utilities .
Electricity, water, gas, internet can only be registered to the owner with a Bulstat number.
Conclusion of contracts .
Without this number you cannot open a bank account, get insurance or mobile communications.
Obtaining discount cards .
Many shops offer discounts to property owners, but require a Bulgarian identification number.
Official confirmation of ownership .
When selling real estate, renting it out or drawing up a will, the number is necessary for the legal transparency of the transaction.
Registration procedure in Bulstat
The standard state fee is about 30 leva (15 euros). Urgent processing in 1 working day - 90 leva (45 euros). Through a lawyer or realtor, the price can reach 200-300 euros, including filing and support services.
When registering in the system, key information about the owner is entered: personal identification code, full name, date of birth, address for official correspondence.
To get Bulstat in 3-5 days, follow these steps:Fill out the application form (the form is available online).
Prepare the necessary documents:
- A copy of the property owner's passport;
- A copy of the notarized purchase and sale agreement;
- Certificate with an individual foreigner number (EFN);
- Receipts for payment of state duty.
Pay a state fee of 30 euros.
Submit your documents to the Registration Agency and wait to receive your number – this usually takes 3–5 days.
We, BolgarskiyDom, will prepare a full package of documents for you, submit it on time and you will receive Bulstat quickly, without unnecessary complications and wasted nerves.
- In person at the State Registration Agency.
- Through an authorized representative (for example, a lawyer or realtor).
- Online (with digital signature).
Until 2016, BULSTAT plastic cards were issued, but now the procedure has been simplified and you can find out your number at any time online on the electronic portal bulstat.bg in the help section.
Late with Bulstat? How much will it cost you
If you do not register with Bulstat within 7 days after purchase, you will have to pay a fine:
- 50 leva - 25 euros (if overdue for up to 30 days).
- 100 leva - 50 euros (if longer than a month).
- 500 leva - 250 euros (for repeated violations).
Without Bulstat it is impossible to pay the property tax. For apartments in Sofia it is on average 0.15% of the cadastral value, and in small towns - about 0.10%. It must be paid once a year at the local city hall.
When you need to get a certificate of paid taxes before selling real estate, the tax office will not issue this document. Without it, the transaction will not take place.
Questions and Answers
Yes, Bulstat can be issued remotely. To do this, you need to issue a notarized power of attorney to a representative in Bulgaria who will submit documents on your behalf. For some countries, the power of attorney must be apostilled by the state, otherwise it will not have legal force. Contact us and we will tell you whether you need to make an apostille.
The application can be submitted through the Registration Agency or online if you have an electronic signature registered in Bulgaria. However, for remote registration, it is important to clarify the requirements for the documents in advance to avoid delays.
- Late submission of documents . Registration must be completed within 7 days of the transaction, otherwise fines may apply.
- Incomplete set of documents . No copy of passport, notarized sales contract or confirmation of payment of state duty.
- Errors in filling out the application . Incorrect personal data or discrepancies in information in the documents.
- Absence of an identification number (EGN) - required to obtain a number. Obtaining it requires a separate procedure.
- Attempt to register a number for a legal entity . Companies are issued a different identifier (EIC), they do not require a Bulstat card.
Yes, each owner is required to register in the Bulstat system. In the case of joint ownership (for example, if the property is purchased by several foreign citizens), each owner is assigned an individual number. They receive separate certificates. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to problems with tax authorities and utility services.
- In person at the Registration Agency - request an extract from the register.
- Through a lawyer - a notary or lawyer can make a request on your behalf.
- Online request : Some data may be available in electronic registers in Bulgaria. Access may require an electronic signature.
Bulgarian legislation is regularly updated, especially in the area of taxation and real estate registration. Possible:
- Tightening of controls – reduction of registration periods, increase of fines for late registration.
- Digitalization – expansion of online services, simplification of document submission through electronic portals.
- Tax changes - property tax rates may increase, especially in resort areas.
We take care of all stages of Bulstat registration:
- Consultation - we explain the nuances of registration and tell you what documents are needed.
- Preparation of documents - we collect and fill out all forms without errors.
- Submission and process control - we transfer documents to the Registration Agency, monitor deadlines.
- The finished result is that you receive a registration number without visiting government agencies.
| Bulstat is a mandatory element for business registration. We are ready to help you at every step of the registration. We are there to do everything quickly and without unnecessary hassle. We work quickly, legally competently and without stress for the client. |
| Leave a request today for a free consultation and fast processing! |
