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Property searches in another country can be confusing, particularly when listings and documents use local technical terms. If you plan to buy a house or apartment in Bulgaria, this short glossary will help you read advertisements and ask more precise questions.
The English explanations are simplified. For a contract, cadastral record or construction document, ask a Bulgarian lawyer or qualified specialist to confirm the term in its exact context.
Apartment (апартамент)
A residential unit; in Bulgarian listings, the room count and layout should be checked rather than inferred from the word alone.
Boxoniera (боксониера)
A compact one-room flat, usually with a kitchenette or cooking area.
Garsoniera (гарсониера)
A small one-room flat with its own bathroom; layouts and listing usage vary.
Maisonette (мезонет)
An apartment arranged over two internal levels.
Townhouse
A house attached to one or more neighbouring homes, normally with a separate entrance and its own defined property rights.
Act 14 (Акт 14)
A construction-stage document associated with completion of the structural shell. It is not permission to occupy the building.
Act 15 (Акт 15)
A document signed by the participants in the construction process recording completion, conformity with the approved project and any outstanding defects before commissioning.
Act 16 (Акт 16)
A common market term for the final commissioning or use-permission stage. The precise document and issuing authority depend on the building category.
Grub stroezh (груб строеж, structural shell)
The stage at which the main load-bearing structure, floors and enclosing elements are substantially complete. It should not be assumed that services, finishes or occupation approval are in place.
Danachna otsenka (данъчна оценка, tax valuation)
A value issued by the municipality for tax and transaction purposes. It is not a market valuation.
Zastroena plosht (застроена площ, built-up area)
An area measure defined under Bulgarian rules and property documents. Its calculation can include wall thicknesses and covered elements; ask which area is being quoted.
Obshta zastroena plosht (обща застроена площ)
A total built-up-area measure. In sales materials it may be combined with a share of common areas, so verify the cadastral and contractual figures.
Razganata zastroena plosht (разгъната застроена площ, gross floor area)
The sum of the floor areas across the building's levels under the applicable calculation rules, potentially including underground levels.
Obshti chasti (общи части, common areas)
Parts of a building held or used in common, such as stairs, corridors, lift shafts and other shared elements. Each unit may carry an ideal share.
Pozemlen imot (поземлен имот, land plot)
A legally defined land parcel. The term alone does not establish whether it is agricultural, regulated or suitable for construction.
Ureguliran pozemlen imot (UPI) (урегулиран поземлен имот, regulated plot)
A plot regulated for development under an approved plan. This does not by itself replace every permit or prove that a specific project may be built.
Podroben ustroystven plan (PUP)
A detailed development plan that regulates matters such as plot boundaries, access, building parameters and local infrastructure for a defined area.
