Buying land in Bulgaria-current legislation
Registering a company in Bulgaria in order to purchase land in Bulgaria is not difficult and time-consuming process now but it is a bit uncomfortable because of the obligations it creates for company management, accountancy, taxes, etc. Many people, citizens of members-states of the EU are not aware of the current legislation and possibilities. It is good to know that you will have the right to purchase land in Bulgaria as an EU-citizen, a physical person if you meet the following requirements:
I. Regulated land, development land or so called "UPI-ureguliran pozemlen imot":
1. Before 01.01.2012 - if you are legally residing in Bulgaria for a set period of time and you are registered as a permanent resident:
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The permanent residence is an equivalent of the UK term Indefinite Leave to Remain/ILR/, which is granted after 5 years of continuous residence in Bulgaria/excluding temporary absence up to 6 months in an year, longer absence for military service, etc.
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Or You you are one of the following:
a. You were working continuously for an year as employee or a self-employed person, you have reached the age for pensioning or there is a reason for earlier pensioning and you have resided in Bulgaria continuously more than 3 years;
b. You are an employee or a self-employed person, who is disabled and you have resided in Bulgaria continuously more than 2 years;
c. You are an employee or a self-employed person, who is disabled and the disability has been caused by an accident at work or professional illness;
d. You are an employee or a self-employed person, who has been working and residing in Bulgaria continuously for 3 years and you are working in other member state but you keep your place of residence in Bulgaria and you are visiting Bulgaria at least one time per week.
For the purpose of applying the conditions a and b, the employment in another member-state is deemed employment in Bulgaria and includes the periods of unemployment occurred in another member state. These conditions do not apply if you are married to Bulgarian citizen or in a durable relationship with Bulgarian citizen.
2. After 01.01.2012 - you will acquire land without being permanent resident if the land is meant for second dwelling. Second dwelling - means a dwelling which is different from the main, principal dwelling, you own in any EUcountry, e.g. UK.
II. Agricultural land, forest and forest land:
1. before 01.01.2014 - if you are self-employed agricultural producer with the intention to reside permanently in Bulgaria and you are registered in the BULSTAT register in this capacity
2. after 01.01.2014 - in any other case.
Reference: Accession Treaty of Bulgaria and Romania/Appendix VI, Section 3 'Free movement of Capitals'/, Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria/Article 22/, Ownership Act/Article 29, 29a/, Act on Entry, Residence and Leaving Republic of Bulgaria of the EU Citizens and Members of Their Families/Article 16 and following/, Act on Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands/Article 3 and 3a/.
