Cost of Residential Property in Bulgaria
Buying
| New flat in Sofia, average asking price | €2,070 per m², excl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Finishing, on top of the price | About €500 per m² |
| Flats under construction for sale in Sofia | 7,630 |
Source: BTA: 7,630 apartments under construction for sale in Sofia (Colliers); Vesti.bg: The real price of a new home in Sofia1,5
Source: BTA: Home prices up 15.5% a year in Q2 2026 (NSI)2
Renting
Two-bedroom flats in Sofia were listed at about €905 a month in October 2026, or €9.21 per m². Agreed rents are often a little lower; new buildings in central districts such as Lozenets and Oborishte cost more.3
Costs of buying and owning
| Transfer tax | 0.1% to 3%, set by each municipality |
|---|---|
| Registration in the Property Register | 0.1% |
| VAT | 20% on new buildings from a VAT-registered developer |
| Annual property tax | 0.01% to 0.45% of the tax value, plus a waste fee |
Source: RSM Bulgaria: Real estate tax factsheet 2026; Deloitte: International Tax, Bulgaria Highlights 20266,7
Anyone can buy a flat or building. Land can be bought by citizens and companies of the EU and EEA; others usually buy through a Bulgarian company.8
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a new flat in Sofia cost in Bulgaria?
A new flat in Sofia has an average asking price of €2,070 per m², excluding VAT. Finishing adds about €500 per m².
How much is rent for a two-bedroom flat in Sofia, Bulgaria?
A two-bedroom flat in Sofia costs about €905 a month to rent, or €9.21 per m², as of October 2026. Agreed rents are often a little lower, while new buildings in central districts such as Lozenets and Oborishte cost more.
How much have home prices risen in Bulgaria?
Home prices in Bulgaria rose by 15.5% in the year to mid-2026. In Q2 2026, prices rose from the previous quarter by 2.4% in Sofia, 5.8% in Plovdiv, 2.9% in Stara Zagora and 2.8% in Varna.
What taxes and fees apply when buying residential property in Bulgaria?
Buying residential property in Bulgaria incurs transfer tax of 0.1% to 3%, set by each municipality, and a Property Register fee of 0.1%. New buildings bought from a VAT-registered developer are subject to 20% VAT. Annual property tax is 0.01% to 0.45% of the tax value, plus a waste fee.
Can foreigners buy residential property and land in Bulgaria?
Anyone can buy a flat or building in Bulgaria. Land can be bought by citizens and companies of the EU and EEA; buyers from elsewhere usually buy through a Bulgarian company.
Sources
- BTA: 7,630 apartments under construction for sale in Sofia (Colliers)
- BTA: Home prices up 15.5% a year in Q2 2026 (NSI)
- imot.bg: Two-bedroom flats to rent in Sofia, average of current listings
- Bulgarian Properties: Sofia housing market in Q1 2026 (BNB mortgage data)
- Vesti.bg: The real price of a new home in Sofia (in Bulgarian)
- RSM Bulgaria: Real estate tax factsheet 2026 (PDF)
- Deloitte: International Tax, Bulgaria Highlights 2026 (PDF)
- European Land Registry Association: Bulgaria, limitations to foreigners
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
