SERVICES
We offer a full compliment of legal and auxiliary services to all our
clients, to help complete the purchase as proficiently as possible and give the
opportunity to enjoy the many wonders and attractions Bulgaria has to
offer.
.:TOPIC INDEX:.
[ Accompanied viewing ] [
Company Set Up ]
[ Services of Lawyer ] [ Notary
Services ]
[ Translations ] [ Accountancy ] [ New
Build ]
[ Renovations ] [ Lettings ] [
Property Management ]
[ Car Hire ] [ Airport
Collection ] [ Accommodation ]
[ Mortgages ] [ Insurances
& Health Care ]
[ Visa applications & Residency
Permits ]
[ Customs Clearance ] [ Vehicle Purchase &
Registration ]
[ Shopping Trips & Furniture Packages ]
[ Local Information ]
[ Tool Hire ]
»Accompanied Viewing
We will tailor your viewing based on
the information you have given us, combining it with our extensive local
knowledge and database, to help you find the most appropriate properties.
Depending on location to one another, you should be able to see around 5-6
properties in one day. If you buy a property from us the viewing fee will be
waived, otherwise we charge 55 EUR per day.
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»Company Set Up
According to the Bulgarian
Constitution, foreign individuals can buy buildings but not land. There are
several entities which will allow the purchase of land, but the most common
option is the Limited Liability Company - OOD, or EOOD if it is owned by an
individual. Every enterprise has to be entered in the commercial register with
the court decision at the company's main office. An entry also has to be posted
in the 'State Gazette'. We will register the company name, prepare Bulgarian and
translated Articles of Association for signing, sign the documents in front of
the Notary, deposit your 5,000 BGN for the company's capital, submit the
application to form the company with proof of your capital from the bank, await
court decision (around 10 days) and announce in the State Gazette, register with
the National Statistical Institute to receive the Bulstat card, register with
the National Insurance Institute (NOI), register with the local tax authority.
Any capital must be reported – i.e. acquisition of property by the company.
There are substantial fines if the process is not adhered to. We will carry out
all these necessary procedures to ensure your company is legal at all times. The
costs involved in setting a company up are included in the cost of the property,
however, if you simply wish to create a company on its own, the fee will be 600
EUR.
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»Services of a Lawyer
Our carefully selected lawyer is on
hand to deal with all the aspects of company set up, property purchase and
beyond. She has an enviable reputation and is highly regarded in the region.
Should you need any other legal service, she will be happy to discuss your
requirements.
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»Notary Services
We have the use of several notaries, all
within very close proximity to our offices who are available for all aspects of
property purchase and other legal acts. The following link details their ethics
code. http://lex.bg/f/ethicscode_notaries_eng.html
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»Translations
As a foreigner to Bulgaria any
document presented for signing in front of a notary must be translated into your
native language. This is to ensure you fully understand and are aware of what
you are signing. We use the services of independent registered translators for
documents which need to be translated from Bulgarian into another language.
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»Accountancy
Company law states that a
company tax return must be submitted every year. If your company is non-trading
then a nil return must be submitted or a fine will be levied. We can retain an
independent Accountant on your behalf to deal with these requirements. Other
services for trading companies are also available.
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»New Build
Architectural services and
planning applications can be submitted by our independent agent, who will treat
each project with individuality and flair. We can also manage and build the
whole project on a small commission basis.
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»Renovations
Our British managed building
team can offer remedial works to full renovations. All jobs are quoted with no
obligation to our clients. Works are finished to very high standards and we
offer a guarantee with all our work.
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»Lettings
We will advertise, free of charge,
any property you wish to promote for letting, either on a long term or short
term basis.
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»Property Management
Including seasonal
property care, winter drain downs, preparation for arrivals, regular cleaning
and garden maintenance, quote and arrange remedial works as necessary.
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»Car Hire
We have the use of several reliable and
competitive car hire companies. They can offer a full range of vehicles at very
competitive rates and can arrange delivery of your vehicle at your point of
arrival, if required. Please ask for a quotation. www.drenikov.com
(offices in Sliven, Sofia, Rousse and Pazardzik)
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»Airport Collection
Our vehicles will allow
you to be brought to your chosen destination in the utmost comfort. Prices
depend on collection and delivery points, but are cheaper than obtaining a taxi
from your arrival point.
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»Accommodation
Offering the best of hotels
and apartments in the region for all budgets. Mountain lodges to central
apartments. We will book the rooms for you and payment can be made locally. We
do not charge for this service.
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»Mortgages
We are able to offer information
on several mortgage companies to foreigners wishing to invest in property in
Bulgaria. Each lender has their own rate and will be based on individuals
circumstances and requirements. Mortgages for foreigners will not be allowed on
purchases made through a company, just individuals, which means land may not be
mortgaged.
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»Insurances & Health Care
Lev-Ins
Insurance Company (one of the largest in Bulgaria) deal in all aspects of
insurances, from people and pets to property. As registered brokers we can
obtain preferential rates and no obligation quotes for any purpose.
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»Visa Applications & Residency Permits
Foreign citizens need a valid international passport and a visa to enter the country. Visas are issued by the Bulgarian Consular Services with the Bulgarian Embassies abroad. Bulgaria has signed visa-free agreements with a number of countries, mainly from Central and Western Europe.
Parliament approved new regulations according to which the citizens of countries in America and British citizens would be able to enter Bulgaria without visas.
Starting September 1, 2006, the new regulations would apply for citizens of the UK, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, US, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras.
The only requirement would be for the travellers to present a valid passport. A visa-free stay in Bulgaria would be valid for a 90 day period applicable for six months after the first entry to the country.
New regulations were accepted as part of Bulgaria's engagement to synchronise visa regime regulations with the EU standards.
According to the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria, British citizens can visit for up to 90 days in any six month period without a visa. Any longer period of stay requires either a C or D type visa. Other foreigners may have different criteria for visiting Bulgaria. They should check with the Bulgarian Embassy for current information.
The following generalisations can be made, but each case must be assessed individually:
Short-Stay Visa (type “C”)
A short-stay visa is issued to an alien for a single or multiple entry into Bulgaria and a cumulative duration of the stay not exceeding 90 days within any six-month period, reckoned from the date of first entry.
A multiple entry short-stay visa may be with a period of validity not exceeding 12 months, save in so far as otherwise provided in an international treaty in force for the Republic of Bulgaria or in an act of the Council of Ministers.
Note: The duration of a short stay may not exceed 90 days, reckoned from the date of entry into Bulgaria. This duration may be extended by the aliens administrative control services for humanitarian reasons.
The purpose of travel may be:
- Private visit, for which the applicant must present:
- A standard invitation to an alien's private visit to the Republic of Bulgaria (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Business trip, for which the applicant must present:
- A standard invitation to an alien's business trip to the Republic of Bulgaria (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Business trip, for which the applicant must present:
- A standard invitation to an alien's business trip to the Republic of Bulgaria (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Cultural exchange, for which the applicant must present:
- An invitation letter from the Ministry of Culture or a mayor of the relevant municipality (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Sports, for which the applicant must present:
- An invitation letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports or from a relevant sports club (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Cultural exchange, for which the applicant must present:
- An invitation letter from the Ministry of Culture or a mayor of the relevant municipality (mandatorily presented in the original!)
- Medical treatment, for which the applicant must present:
- A certificate issued by the medical-treatment facility according to the established procedure, stating a plan for treatment and recovery.
- Tourism
For Non-pre-arranged (individual) tours, the applicant must present:
- a foreign-travel document (passport) issued in good and due form and a photocopy of the pages of the foreign-travel document containing the personal data and the valid visas or residence permits held;
- an application completed in a standard form and 1 colour photograph (passport size; glued to the application form);
- a reservation from a Bulgarian collective tourist accommodation establishment (hotel);
- a reservation or a two-way airline ticket (a reservation may be presented upon submission of the visa application, and the ticket itself must be presented upon the issuing of the visa itself), or proof of possession of financial means to cover the costs of the applicant's return.
For pre-arranged (individual) tours, the applicant must present:
- a tourist voucher issued by the sending tour operator
- a list of the tourists in the group.
Solely accredited tour operators may submit documents of package tourists.
A multiple entry short-stay visa may be issued to an alien who:
- maintains continuous business contacts with Bulgarian natural persons or for-profit legal entities or with representative offices of non-resident legal entities, registered in the Republic of Bulgaria, upon presentation of documentary proof of the existence of such contacts;
- has invested more than EUR 50,000 in the Republic of Bulgaria, as shown by a certificate issued by the InvestBulgaria Agency;
- is an authorized representative of any persons referred to in Items 1 and 2;
- satisfies the conditions referred to in Items 2, 4, 6 and 11 of Article 24 (1) of the Aliens in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and is in a position to certify this, while keeping his or her habitual residence abroad;
- has contributed substantially to the promotion of bilateral relations with the Republic of Bulgaria;
- is a family member or an antecessor or descendant up to the second degree of a Bulgarian citizen, while keeping his or her habitual residence abroad;
- is in possession of a multiple entry short-stay visa issued by any of the following States: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, provided that the period of validity of this visa is equal to or exceeds 12 months.
Upon submission of an application for the issuing of a short-stay visa, the applicant must present:
- a foreign-travel document issued in good and due form;
- a photocopy of the pages of the foreign-travel document containing the personal data and the valid visas or residence permits held;
- an application completed in a standard form and 1 colour photograph (passport size (3.5 by 4.5 cm), glued to the application form);
- documents supporting the visa application, and copies of these documents;
- proof of possession of sufficient financial means to cover the subsistence costs, to the minimum amount of EUR 50 for each day of the stay as requested by the visa application or the equivalent of this amount in another freely convertible currency, but not less than a total of EUR 500 or the equivalent of this amount in another freely convertible currency, or a document of pre-paid tourist services
- proof of possession of sufficient financial means to cover the accommodation costs, to the minimum amount of EUR 50 for each day of the stay as requested by the visa application or the equivalent of this amount in another freely convertible currency, or a document of pre-paid overnight stay in a collective tourist accommodation establishment, or standard invitation from a Bulgarian natural person certifying that accommodation will be provided;
- proof of possession of sufficient financial means to cover the costs of leaving Bulgaria or a ticket and, in the case of crossing the border by land, sea or river by means of transport operated by the applicant, financial means to the minimum amount of EUR 300 or the equivalent of this amount in another freely convertible currency.
D type visa - essential for anyone who wants to reside in Bulgaria on a long term basis. This visa is for 90 days, single entry only, and is issued for the sole purpose of allowing the holder to then apply WITHIN Bulgaria for permission to extend their stay in the country for up to one year. Once you enter the country on a D visa, you should immediately apply for this permission, and your Lichna Karta. You may not leave Bulgaria until your residency has been granted and your passport is stamped.
We can help with your application by sending the relevant Notarised copies for your Visa, and for those wishing to stay permanently, help with the submission of the application in the relevant passport office here in Bulgaria.
Long-Term Visas (Type “D”)
A long-term stay in Bulgaria can be continuous with a one-year leave to remain
(D-type visas), and permanent with an indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence).
Applications for D-type visas can be submitted to Bulgaria's consular representations abroad. Applications for permanent residence can only be submitted in Bulgaria.To apply for D-type visas, foreign citizens need to submit several documents as stipulated by the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Information of these required documents can be found on the Bulgarian Embassy web site of the resident country.
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»Customs Clearance
We will help with customs
clearance for your personal effects when moving permanently to Bulgaria.
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»Vehicle Purchase & Registration
To
bring a vehicle in to Bulgaria involves a lengthy process and the payment of
import duty and taxes, depending on your residential status. We can guide you
through the processes. To buy a car in Bulgaria also takes time and can be
daunting because of all the paperwork and different departments involved. Again,
we can guide you through this process. To register a car can usually be done in
a day, but can occasionally take longer.
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»Shopping Trips & Furniture Packages
If
you need help in locating certain items or need to furnish your entire property,
we can take you to the best and/or specialised local shops. We have a
manufacturer of furniture who can furnish your property with kitchen units,
living room, dining room and bedroom furniture, with reduced prices.
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»Local Information
We have a local
information pack for those visiting the area, detailing essential places of
interest and other important details, including emergency numbers. If you need
any advice or help, please do not hesitate to ask. We will offer you as much
unbiased information as possible and if there is something we do not immediately
know the answer to, we will find out. All our information is free.
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»Tool Hire
We offer a full range of
professional tools for hire which are not otherwise available in this
region.
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