JuilaOui
French expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
25
About me
French
Registration: 10 June 2026
My expat journey
Bulgaria
France
Activity
Never thought selling an apartment would be cumbersome by Daiime
I just need to went a little frustration here. Here's my story: Got married with a prenuptial agreement. Inherited money. Bought an apartment in Sofia (Lozenets) in 2015 for 85 000 € 90 square metres, two bedrooms, two balconies, bathroom ...
@Daiime Everything is always damn complicated in Bulgaria even when it shouldn't be. Everything is a big headache too. So much bureaucracy. Sad, but I think your real estate agent 'screwed' you with the purchase price. Lozenets is one of the best ... Read More
Real estate investment in Bulgaria by Boris-Gleb
My partner and I are now living part time in Varna for almost 3 years. We are looking for regular income on top of our pension. It could be wise if anyone had experienced local market. Purpose is to buy one or two flats and rent it. One of the main ...
@Boris-Gleb Be careful. Don't trust anyone. Realtors just want to sell you something, anything... They don't really care about your needs in general. If you really want to buy, think long and hard. I was looking in Sófia but nothing is really ... Read More
Most common payment methods in Bulgaria by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Moving to Bulgaria, even simple things like paying for groceries or a coffee can feel different. In order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats better prepare for their daily transactions, we invite you to share your ...
@Cheryl I like to pay cash 90% of the time. Read More
Any advice welcome on buying second hand car? by jeanmandredeix
Over the next few weeks we will be looking to purchase a second hand car. We will use a dealers as they help you with registration etc? I know the mileage is often clocked and we are just hoping to find a reliable runaround.Any tips on what to look ...
@jeanmandredeix Nothing works on the first attempt in Bulgaria, usually. I had to return 4 times to the Migration department and I was rejected by 4 banks that used the 'compliance excuse and the supposedly origin of funds that were not even ... Read More
My real estate agent only shows me new buildings by JuilaOui
promoted by his agency, does it mean he is getting a 3% commission from me and another percentage from the builder ?
@gwynj Yes indeed. I didn't think it would be that difficult to find a finished apartment in a fairly recent building. In fact, it's quite impossible to find anything finished and in a building under 20 years old in the center of Sofia so my ... Read More
Bulgarian properties by maureendevine
Hi,Finally found my property (I hope).🫢It's with Bulgarian properties.com. it's apparently been trading 20 years but I can only find 5 reviews of the company which aren't complimentary. Anyone had any dealings with them especially south east ...
@JimJ Yes in other words just keep in mind all your requirements and don't let yourself convinced into buying something that you will later regret. For instance, if you tell the agent that you want something fairly close to a metro station, don't ... Read More
Bulgarian properties by maureendevine
Hi,Finally found my property (I hope).🫢It's with Bulgarian properties.com. it's apparently been trading 20 years but I can only find 5 reviews of the company which aren't complimentary. Anyone had any dealings with them especially south east ...
@maureendevine Basically the agents at 'Bulgarian Properties' are mostly 'transactional agents'. They just want to close the deal and sell you something, that may or may not match your requirements. It's sad but true. Also now, there are tons of new ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Bulgaria by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Bulgaria can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, or ...
@Cheryl For new comers, I would definitely advise them to make sure your landlord is in town to go with you and register your address at the Migration department, otherwise you will have a hell of a time trying to register within 90 days (it was my ... Read More
My real estate agent only shows me new buildings
promoted by his agency, does it mean he is getting a 3% commission from me and another percentage from the builder ? Read More
(Dis)Organised Crime in Bulgaria.... by JimJ
A gang of Master Counterfeiters has just been busted in Bulgaria: apparently their fake banknotes are of "very good quality" but their education is clearly of a somewhat lesser standard*. They managed to call Aleko Konstantinov (whose portrait is ...
@biscamelot****. Read More
What to get first, residency or bank account? by Alex_123
Hello everyone, I'm a bit confused as to how I can get my residency and bank account. Sometimes, I hear I need the residency to get the bank account, other times I hear I need the bank account to get the residency.How should I do it when I decide to ...
@Alex_123 From my experience you won't be able to get a bank account in Bulgaria unless you get that residence certificate first. Personally I have been waiting for 3 weeks now and not a single bank has approved me after answering hundreds of ... Read More
What to get first, residency or bank account? by Alex_123
Hello everyone, I'm a bit confused as to how I can get my residency and bank account. Sometimes, I hear I need the residency to get the bank account, other times I hear I need the bank account to get the residency.How should I do it when I decide to ...
@Vasilev Not that easy from my experience. The Migration employee in Sofia specifically asked me for bank statements for the proof of funds. A debit or credit card won't really prove anything. You could only have 100€ on your account in that ... Read More
How to get a certificate of official tax residency in Bulgaria ? by Saxio
Does anyone has specifics about this ? What are the requirements ?
@Saxio Excellent question. I am still struggling to get one. Your landlord has to go with you to the Migration department or has to have a notarized declaration that he/she will authorize you to live at her property. Without this document, you won't ... Read More
Does my rental contract have to be notarized by JuilaOui
In order to get the Residence Permit (Certificate) in Sofia, Bulgaria ? I am an EU citizen but my landlord lives overseas.Thanks for your feedback.Julia
@JimJ Thank you for your reply. Read More
Does my rental contract have to be notarized by JuilaOui
In order to get the Residence Permit (Certificate) in Sofia, Bulgaria ? I am an EU citizen but my landlord lives overseas.Thanks for your feedback.Julia
@JimJ Even if I have already signed a one year lease ?The companies want to see some 'Bulgarian documents 'that I don't have except that one year lease without any notarized declaration from the owner. She may do it but since she is abroad, it can ... Read More