Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast remains one of the country’s centres of residential construction. According to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), building permits were issued for nearly 3,000 apartments in the Burgas and Varna regions during the second quarter of 2026. Some projects have already moved from the planning stage to construction.

Across Bulgaria, municipalities issued permits for 2,216 residential buildings containing 11,499 apartments between April and June. The number of apartments increased by 14% compared with Q2 2025, but fell by 15.2% compared with Q1 2026. Annual growth therefore continues, although construction activity has been uneven during the year.

Burgas region: more apartments than Varna

In the Burgas region, permits were issued for 161 residential buildings containing 1,660 apartments. In terms of the number of planned homes, the region ranked third in the country after Sofia and Plovdiv. Construction also began on 105 buildings containing 1,388 apartments during the second quarter.

The Varna region received permits for 202 residential buildings containing 1,316 apartments. Compared with the previous quarter, the number of apartments covered by permits increased by 9.7%. Construction began on 150 buildings containing 791 apartments.

It is important to note that these statistics cover the entire regions, not just the cities. The figures therefore should not be interpreted as the number of new apartments located specifically in Burgas, Varna or individual resort areas.

What does this mean for property buyers?

The data shows that developers continue to build up the pipeline of new housing along the Black Sea coast. For buyers, this potentially means a wider choice of properties at different stages of completion, with a variety of layouts and price points. However, an increase in building permits does not, in itself, guarantee lower prices. Property values also depend on location, project quality, demand and development timelines.

Anyone considering an off-plan apartment should check not only the price per square metre, but also the building documentation, the developer’s track record, the payment schedule and the terms of property handover. Particular attention should be paid to local infrastructure, parking and maintenance costs, especially when purchasing a home for year-round living.

A building permit does not mean that an apartment is ready for occupancy. Years may pass between the permit being issued, construction beginning and the building being officially commissioned. Buyers should therefore compare projects based on their actual stage of completion and legal status, rather than relying solely on the advertised completion date.