Seller's Guide (Part 5): Remote Selling – How to Sell Your Property Without Traveling

Do you live in London, Tel Aviv or just on the other side of Bulgaria? The thought of traveling to Bansko just for a signature in front of a notary can make the deal meaningless, especially if you are selling at a low price.

The good news is that Bulgarian law allows the property to be sold entirely remotely. In fact, over 50% of holiday property transactions in Bansko happen exactly like this – the seller is not physically present.

This article is your guide to safe distance selling.

Signing documents for a remote sale of property abroad, with a passport and phone on the table.

Illustration of the process of authorizing and remotely signing documents for the sale of a property, without the need to travel to Bulgaria.

1. The Role of the Proxy

To sell a property without being at the notary's office in Razlog, you must authorize someone to do it for you. This can be:

  • Your broker.
  • Lawyer (the most recommended option for security).
  • A trusted person (friend or relative).

What should the power of attorney contain? This is not a standard power of attorney. It should describe the property in full detail (as in the notarial deed) and explicitly authorize the person to “sell the property at a price and terms of their own choosing” (or at a price you set).

2. How to authenticate documents from abroad?

If you are outside Bulgaria, you have two options to make the power of attorney valid:

Option A: Bulgarian Consulate (The easiest way)

You visit the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate.

  • Advantage: The documents are directly in Bulgarian, the certification is cheap and recognized immediately.
  • Disadvantage: You need to make an appointment in advance (sometimes there are weeks of waiting).

Option B: Local notary + Apostille

If you can't get to a consulate, you go to a local notary in your country.

  1. You prepare the power of attorney and declarations (bilingual).
  2. You certify your signature before the local notary.
  3. Required: The document must be provided with Apostille (if the country is a party to the Hague Convention). Without an Apostille, the document is invalid in Bulgaria!
  4. You send the documents to Bulgaria, where they are translated by a sworn translator.

3. “The Two Declarations” – don't forget them!

The power of attorney alone is not enough. Along with it, you must sign and notarize two mandatory declarations:

  1. Declaration under Art. 264, para. 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure: That you have no outstanding debts to the state (taxes, social security contributions).
  2. Declaration under Art. 25, para. 8 of the Law on the Protection of Personal Data: About marital status and citizenship.

Important: These declarations are valid only until the end of the current calendar year!

4. How to get your money safely?

The biggest fear in distance selling is: “What if the proxy takes the money and disappears?”

Protect yourself by the transaction account:

  1. The notarial deed explicitly records your personal bank account (IBAN).
  2. The buyer arranges the money directly to your account, and not to the account of the proxy/broker.
  3. Escrow account: For maximum security, the money can be deposited into a special account of the notary. He transfers it to you only after the transaction is registered and you are no longer the owner. This eliminates the risk for both parties.

5. Transfer of possession (the Keys)

Once you receive the money, you must hand over the property.

  • If the property is managed by a company or complex, send an email to the front desk that you are granting access to the new owner.
  • If you have the keys abroad, you can send them by courier (DHL/FedEx) directly to the buyer or their representative.

Conclusion of the Handbook Selling a property in Bansko requires preparation, a realistic valuation, and precise documentation. Whether you are on site or thousands of kilometers away, following these steps ensures that the transaction will be successful, legal, and profitable for you.

Good luck!