Buying a used vehicle in Bulgaria

@Jules999

Hi Jules,

In a nutshell, the procedure is the following:

1. You have to sign a sale -purchase agreement for the car with the seller (it is usually a straightforward one-page agreement). NB: Have in mind that the car may be possessed jointly by the owner and his/her wife/spouse. Then both of them should appear before the notary (except if one of the owners authorized the other one with a valid PoA), The signing shall be certified by a notary public (see p. 2) ;
2. You go to a notary public (in case the car is already registered in Bulgaria, which I guess is the case). It can be a notary in any area, not just the area of where the car is registered. You can ask the notary to prepare the sale -purchase agreement (see p.1 above). Make sure that the notary does not charge you additional fee for preparation of the sale - purchase agreement. They usually do not charge for that, but ask them just in case:) Some other documents should be presented by the seller in order the notary to certify the deal (e.g. registration certificates - small and big ones; insurance certificates, etc).
3. The expenses (notary fees) are paid by the buyer, if not agreed otherwise. But have in mind that it is common to be paid by the buyer.
4. After the notary, you should go in front of your local  ''KAT'' with the sale-purchase agreement as certified by the notary; the registration certificates of the old owner. The idea is that you issue new registration certificates (small & big talon) in the name of the new owner (I guess it is you). During this procedure you will be asked whether you want at your option to keep the old plates (if the car is bought from another area) or issue new plates which will indicate the area you are living in.
5. The tax registration in your name is made automatically, but just in case go after tow weeks in your local tax office (the municipality) to make sure everything is fine.

Also have in mind that according to BG legislation you are not allowed to make cash payments for one transaction exceeding 10 000 BGN (in case the sell price is above that sum).

I hope the above is of assistance.

Simon