Commercial Real Estate in Bulgaria for Businesses

At some point many businesses need a real place: an office for the team, a shop, a warehouse, or a hotel or apartments as an investment. Finding property in Bulgaria is not hard. Finding the right one at a fair price, with clean documents and a contract that protects you, is another thing, especially when you don’t speak the language and don’t know the local market. Listings are often out of date, prices are negotiable in ways that are not obvious, and the most important information is in the documents, not in the photos.

What is included

A first conversation to define what you really need: location, size, budget, timing
Search for suitable properties through agencies, owners and our own network
Viewings, in person with you or by video if you are abroad
Honest feedback on each option, also on what is wrong with it
Checking the ownership, documents and any burdens on the property
Help with negotiation of the price and the terms
Coordination with lawyers, the notary, banks and agencies
After the deal: utilities, address registration and the practical start
You have one contact for the whole process, and we tell you our fee before we start.

Renting or buying

Renting is the usual start for most companies. It keeps money in the business and gives flexibility while you grow. The important part is the lease agreement: how long, how the rent can change, who pays for repairs, how you can leave, and what happens if the owner sells. Longer leases also need extra steps to protect you if the property changes owner.
Buying makes sense when you plan to stay long, when the property is part of the business, like a hotel or a shop, or as an investment. Here everything depends on the checks before you sign and the structure of the purchase.

Can foreigners buy property in Bulgaria?

Yes, with one important point. Citizens of EU countries can buy property in Bulgaria much like Bulgarians. Citizens of non-EU countries can buy buildings and apartments, but generally cannot own land directly. A common and legal solution is to buy through a Bulgarian company, which can own land. For businesses this is often the natural way anyway, because the property is used in the business. Buying through a company also has tax effects, for example on VAT, costs and later sale, so we look at this together with tax and legal advisers before you buy.

What we check before you sign

Who really owns the property, and if the seller can sell it
Mortgages, liens, court cases or other burdens
Building permits and documents showing the building is legally finished
If the property can be used for your purpose, for example as a shop, office or hotel
Unpaid bills, building fees or local taxes
The real condition of the property, not only the photos
In Bulgaria a property purchase is finalized with a notary deed, and the notary also does checks. But the notary checks if the deal is legal, not if it’s a good deal for you. That part is our job.

Why work with us

I don’t only advise on real estate. I have bought, developed and managed property myself in Bulgaria, Spain and Greece, including short-term rentals and a hotel. I know what it means to deal with sellers, builders, permits and repairs, and what property costs to run after you buy it. So when we look at a property with you, you get the view of someone who has been on the owner’s side.

Hospitality and investment property

If you are looking at hotels, guesthouses or apartments for short-term rental, there is more to look at: the licenses and category, the real occupancy and income, the operating costs, and how much management it needs. We can help you look at the numbers critically, and if needed combine the purchase with our business acquisition service.

Let’s talk

Tell us what kind of property you are looking for, where, for which purpose, and if you want to rent or buy. We will come back with how we can help and what the next steps are.