Buying property in Bulgaria by power of attorney: requirements and checks

A Bulgarian property can be purchased through an attorney-in-fact, but the authority must match the particular transaction and its required form. A general sentence allowing someone to act “before all institutions” is not enough planning for a notarial purchase. The property, price, payment, declarations, mortgage and any right to delegate authority require separate consideration.

The document assists an absent buyer; it does not transfer the commercial risk away from that buyer. The legal and financial consequences remain with the person represented.

Sources were checked on 19 August 2026. Do not use a universal template without a Bulgarian lawyer's review and advance confirmation from the transaction notary and lender.

Required form

Bulgarian contract law links the form of the authority to the form of the transaction. For a contract completed in notarial form, Article 37 permits written authority with simultaneous notarial certification of signature and content. (Bulgarian Obligations and Contracts Act, Article 37)

Send a draft to the notary before signing. Correcting it on completion day is particularly difficult when the principal is abroad.

How specific should it be?

Authority that is too general creates uncertainty; authority that is too narrow can block a minor technical adjustment. A sound document identifies the transaction and defines whether the representative may sign the preliminary and final contracts, accept a price and payment method, sign declarations, receive possession and documents, create a mortgage or delegate authority.

Do not automatically permit receipt of sale proceeds or unrestricted access to funds. The powers should follow the required process.

Signing abroad

Execution may be possible before a Bulgarian consular officer where the service, citizenship of the participants and local law allow. A document certified by a foreign notary may require an apostille or legalisation depending on the country, treaty arrangements and document type. Translation requirements must also be confirmed for use in Bulgaria. (Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

An apostille does not approve the substance of the authority. The Bulgarian transaction notary still examines whether the form and scope are sufficient.

Checks before completion

Agree an independent confirmation channel for the final price, bank account and completion date. Do not accept changed payment instructions by email alone. The principal may revoke the authority, and its scope towards third parties follows the principal's statement, so currentness and wording should be checked immediately before completion. (Obligations and Contracts Act, Articles 38 and 39)

Where finance is involved, agree the wording with the lender as well. Approval for the purchase deed does not automatically cover the credit agreement or mortgage instrument.

A safe remote process separates roles. The lawyer performs independent due diligence; the representative carries out defined acts; the bank transfers funds under confirmed instructions. Avoid allowing one person, without necessity, to select the asset, verify their own work, sign and receive money.

Frequently asked questions

Must the document identify the exact apartment?

The safest wording identifies the transaction and property sufficiently. The correct formulation depends on the stage and available identifiers and should be agreed with the lawyer and notary.

Can the representative pay the price?

Specific payment authority can be included, but bank instructions and source-of-funds checks remain separate. Do not grant broader rights than necessary.

Does the authority expire?

It may contain an end date and can be revoked. Its currentness and scope should be verified before completion even where no fixed term is written.

Will the same form cover a mortgage?

Do not assume so. The lender and mortgage instrument may require additional express authority.

Sources

The authority should reflect the particular transaction rather than being prepared in isolation. Align it with the draft preliminary contract and check that its property description matches the cadastral scheme.

View Pirotska and contact the team to coordinate a remote property purchase.