Impossible to open a bank account?

[Post deleted]

[Post deleted]

@berryd - Absolutely! Almost all my Cyprus household expenses including property taxes are paid via Jccsmart. In Bulgaria, I have direct accounts with Plovdiv municipality (annual taxes for properties and vehicles) and Bulgarian social security (for my health system contributions), but everything else is paid via epay.

@janemulberry

It depends on which property you buy as to which estate agent you get.

- @berryd

@Chrisjo1 That should give everyone hope.

@Chrisjo1

I'm with co op bank and wasn't a problem  until I went in the update my new passport .  They wanted a letter from nation insurance UK .. ended up with my card cancelled and account suspended uugh! 

So be aware that even though they already have national insurance info from when you opened the account in the 1st place they will ask for it again so make sure you always have this with you ..

My account is now open again and a shiny new card 

Also just coz the bank account was suspended they still allowed me to put money in .

UBB bank yuk never again.  I went in with my Filipino wife and very rude and the way the woman looked at my wife .. very racist

Phil

I use Revolut for my bulgarian company bank account. Not quick, not slow.  certainly easier as all on line.

@Chrisjo1

how long did you wait for the security check?

All foreigners must now pay 150 for the security check in banks

My friend paid and is waiting three weeks at UBB and they did not answer her.

Did you wait three weeks or more?

@Anastasija_gust

For my personal account it was done in a few days with UBB, but you do have to check, they dont inform you.

    @Anastasija_gust
For my personal account it was done in a few days with UBB, but you do have to check, they dont inform you.
   

    -@grahamstark1

When? Before new security checks? This is new problem.

Our friends in the UK and soon to be new neighbours here in BG opened their business account in August and theirs took less than two weeks. Admittedly my personal account was two years ago and my business account was 5 months ago.

UBB phoned now and they are refused to open the account. UBB bank will not tell why.

She lost 150. UBB keeps the money for security check.

@Anastasija_gust. Have you tried someone of the smaller banks like Texim Bank and Tokuda Bank.   They may be less bureaucratic.  I heard a number of people being able to obtain accounts at these banks.   There's also iBank, TBI and try Post Bank.  Once you have your residency card, you can swap to a larger, more favourable bank.

Ian

Oh my! I see what people mean about fees! I checked DSK bank's fee schedule, as they're who my Bulgarian neighbour banks with and I think if I go in to our local branch with her, I'll have the best chance of opening an account with least hassle. But there are fees for every little thing! Anything I deposit there will be chewed up fast.

    Oh my! I see what people mean about fees! I checked DSK bank's fee schedule, as they're who my Bulgarian neighbour banks with and I think if I go in to our local branch with her, I'll have the best chance of opening an account with least hassle. But there are fees for every little thing! Anything I deposit there will be chewed up fast.
   

    -@janemulberry

You must pay 150 for security check

That wasn't listed on the very comprehensive DSK list of fees, Anastasija, which made it clear where fees were different for foreigners compared to what Bulgarians pay. Your friend was charged that by UBB, I think?

They are sure to have some sort of security check at DSK, too. As long as they open the account, I'm happy to pay a fee. But yes, if they just take my money for a security check and account opening and I never hear from them again, I'll be unhappy, too!

My only reason to choose this bank is that I know it's the one my neighbour uses, and I am pretty sure that in a small town branch where she knows everyone, it will be a big help if she vouches for me.

Hi..i bank with Unicredit Bulbank

My card was due to expire this year so took a walk to the bank..they lost on their system..all of my details..so couldnt renew.

I had to re.apply..and by the time the paperwork arrived back from Sofia to Pomorie..they said it would take a week to get a newcard..so had to leave it till next year as i was going back to blighty and couldnt collect it in time..

I had a question to ask..and that was about fees..they told me they charge 4 lev per month for services i have....i told them..not only do we have to not apply for a new card..its sent out 2 weeks before the old one expires..at no cost..plus our banking services are also free...they were a bit shocked..well done Barclays.

@wtruckyboy

I cant own the property ive brought until i get a bank account and i cant get one until i owe the property any ideas around this please?

I am buying a property in bulgarai but need to set up company to transfer everything but having issues starting a bank account. How do I do this please?

Malisia, I understand your frustration! Unless someone is proficient in Bulgarian and understands the system, it's not easy for a non-Bulgarian to do the company set up on their own. I imagine with the amount of paperwork needed, many Bulgarians would find it a challenge too (just as it is in the UK).

I paid a fee to the estate agent's admin person to help with the company set up. Considering the amount of work involved, her fee was very reasonable. Especially as even with her doing all the work and me just signing where I was told to, it took all day and required going to several different offices as well as twice to the bank! By the following day, my company was registered.

Alternatively there are Bulgarian "helpers" who will offer this service if the estate agent doesn't.

Hi thank you for your reply, ii have somone setting the company up for me but its the bank account im worried about. Ive heard its really hard to open these days. Do i need a bank account to own my property ive brought? Thank you

You do need a business bank account as part of the company set up. It has to have a small amount of money in it to show the company has "assets". I think mine only needed 100 BGN. As most business bank accounts have monthly fees, the person helping me suggested I closed mine as soon as the company registration was approved and it showed in the online company register (there are bank fees, both to set it up and to close it!. Hopefully whoever is setting up the company will also help set up the business bank account for you.

A personal bank account is a separate thing and not needed unless you intend to move to Bulgaria to live, as it's required to get residency.