Below is a rewritten and streamlined version with only one tier of bullet points, clearer phrasing, and consistent style, while preserving all substantive content.
(Consolidated version reflecting amendments up to State Gazette No. 18 of 4 March 2022)
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGICAL NOTE
In Bulgarian property law, as in continental (civil-law) legal systems generally, the term „вещ“ (vesht) is a foundational legal concept with a meaning that is significantly broader and more precise than the English terms “property”, “asset”, or “object” as used in common parlance.
The Bulgarian term „вещ“ denotes anything capable of being the object of real (in rem) rights (вещни права), irrespective of whether it is movable or immovable, tangible or, in certain cases, legally assimilated to tangibility. It is a unitary legal category encompassing:
This concept is rooted in Roman law, particularly the notion of res (plural res), which refers to “things” as objects of legal relations (res in commercio), as opposed to res extra commercium (objects and things that cannot be privately owned, sold, or traded due to their nature, public purpose, or religious status). Modern civil-law systems (Bulgarian, German, French, Italian, etc.) preserve this systematic distinction between “things” and “rights”, treating ownership and other real rights as legal powers exercised over a thing, rather than over “property” in the abstract.
By contrast, common-law legal English tends to use the word “property” in a broader and often ambiguous sense, referring interchangeably to:
This conceptual overlap makes “property” an imprecise translation for „вещ“, particularly in provisions where Bulgarian law clearly distinguishes between:
For this reason, and in line with established comparative-law and doctrinal translation practice, the closest functional equivalent in legal English for „вещ“ is the term “thing”, as used in authoritative translations of civil-law legislation and scholarship (e.g. “thing in rem”, “rights in a thing”, “immovable thing”, “movable thing”).
Accordingly, in this English translation of the Bulgarian Property Act (Law on Ownership):
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
This Act governs ownership, the other real rights (rights in rem), and their acquisition, loss and protection.
Para. 2.
This Act also governs possession and registration.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
Ownership belongs to the State, the municipalities, cooperatives and other legal persons, and to citizens.
(am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 2.
All types of ownership enjoy equal opportunities for development and protection.
STATE AND MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 77 of 1991; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
Ownership of the State and of the municipalities shall be public and private.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
The legal regime of the objects of State and municipal ownership shall be determined by separate laws.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 91 of 1988)
(rep. SG No. 91 of 1988)
(rep. SG No. 91 of 1988)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(new, SG No. 87 of 1974; suppl. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(new, SG No. 87 of 1974; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(new, SG No. 87 of 1974; suppl. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(new, SG No. 87 of 1974; am. SG No. 91 of 1988; suppl. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(am. SG No. 33 of 1996; am. SG No. 32 of 2005)
Para. 1.
Contracts by which acquisition and disposal of immovable property constituting private State or municipal property are effected shall be concluded in written form.
Para. 2.
Such contracts shall be registered by order of the Registration Judge at the location of the property.
Para. 3.
Notarial form shall not be required.
(suppl. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
The right of ownership over State and municipal immovable property may also be established by a document issued on the basis of the registers kept for such property.
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
(title am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
All things may be owned by natural persons and legal persons, except those which, pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, are exclusive State property or which by virtue of law constitute public State or municipal property.
Para. 2.
By law, ownership by natural or legal persons of immovable property and things connected with activities subject to a State monopoly may be prohibited.
(am. SG No. 26 of 1973; am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996; am. SG No. 24 of 2007)
Para. 1.
Foreigners or foreign legal persons may acquire ownership of land under the conditions of an international treaty ratified pursuant to Art. 22, Para. 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, promulgated and entered into force, and foreigners may also acquire such ownership by inheritance by law.
Para. 2.
Citizens of Member States of the European Union or of States parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area may acquire ownership of land subject to compliance with the requirements established by law, in accordance with the conditions of the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union.
Para. 3.
Legal persons from Member States of the European Union or from States parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area may acquire ownership of land under the procedure of Para. 2.
Para. 4.
Foreigners and foreign legal persons may acquire ownership of buildings and limited real rights (limited rights in rem) over immovable property in the country, unless otherwise provided by law.
Para. 5.
A foreign State or an intergovernmental organisation may acquire ownership of land, buildings and limited real rights over immovable property in the country on the basis of an international treaty, a law or an act of the Council of Ministers.
Para. 6.
A foreign State may not acquire ownership of immovable property in the country by inheritance.
(new, SG No. 24 of 2007)
Para. 1.
The persons under Art. 29, Para. 2 who do not permanently reside in the Republic of Bulgaria may acquire land for a secondary residential property after the expiry of the period determined under the conditions of the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union.
CO-OWNERSHIP
(Para. 1 am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
The right of ownership may belong jointly to two or more persons—the State, municipalities, and other legal or natural persons.
Para. 2.
The shares of the co-owners shall be deemed equal until proven otherwise.
Para. 3.
Each co-owner shall participate in the benefits and burdens of the common thing in proportion to their share.
Para. 1.
Each co-owner may use the common thing according to its purpose and in a manner that does not prevent the other co-owners from using it according to their rights.
Para. 2.
Where the common thing is used personally only by some of the co-owners, they shall owe compensation to the others for the benefit of which they have been deprived, from the date of written demand.
Para. 1.
The common thing shall be used and managed in accordance with the decision of the co-owners holding more than one half of the common thing.
Para. 2.
If a majority cannot be formed or if the decision of the majority is harmful to the common thing, the district court, upon request of any of the co-owners, shall decide the matter, take the necessary measures and, if necessary, appoint a manager of the common thing.
Para. 1.
A co-owner may sell their share of an immovable property to a third person only after presenting to the notary written evidence that they have offered the other co-owners to purchase that share under the same conditions and after declaring in writing before the notary that none of them has accepted the offer.
Para. 2.
If the declaration under Para. 1 is untrue, or if the third person purchases the share under conditions fictitiously agreed to the detriment of the other co-owners, the interested co-owner may redeem that share under the conditions actually agreed. The action must be brought within two months from the sale.
Para. 3.
If the co-owner does not pay the amount due as a result of the redemption within one month from the entry into force of the judgment, that judgment shall be deemed void by operation of law.
Para. 1.
Each co-owner may, notwithstanding an agreement to the contrary, request partition of the common thing, unless the law provides otherwise or this is incompatible with the nature and purpose of the thing.
Para. 2.
The provisions on partition of inheritance shall apply mutatis mutandis to the partition of co-owned property.
Para. 3.
An action for partition shall not be barred by limitation.
(Para. 1 am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
Voluntary partition of movable property with a value exceeding BGN 50, as well as of immovable property, must be effected in writing with notarised signatures.
Para. 2.
Where incapacitated or absent persons participate in the partition, prior authorisation of the district court shall be required.
(Para. 3 rep. SG No. 31 of 1990)
(am. SG No. 12 of 1958; SG No. 87 of 1974; SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
Co-ownership of the State or of a municipality may be terminated, in addition to partition, also by sale of the share of the State or the municipality, by granting the co-owners another equivalent immovable property, or by redemption of their share under conditions and according to a procedure determined by the Council of Ministers.
CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP
(Floor Ownership / Co-ownership in a Building)
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
Floors or parts of floors, together with the premises appurtenant to them in the attic or the basement, may belong to separate owners—the State, the municipalities, and other legal or natural persons.
Para. 1.
In buildings in which floors or parts of floors belong to different owners, common to all owners shall be the land on which the building is constructed, the courtyard, the foundations, the external walls, the internal partition walls between the separate parts, the internal load-bearing walls, the columns, the girders, the slabs, the joist floors, the staircases, the landings, the roofs, the walls between the attic and basement premises of the separate owners, the chimneys, the external entrance doors of the building and the doors to common attic and basement premises, the main lines of all types of installations and their central equipment, the lifts, the downpipes, the caretaker’s dwelling, and everything else which by its nature or purpose serves for common use.
Para. 2.
It may be agreed that parts of the building which serve only some of the separately owned floors or parts of floors shall be common only to the persons whose premises they serve.
Para. 3.
The common parts may not be partitioned.
Para. 1.
The co-owners may divide the common building by floors or by parts of floors.
Para. 2.
In the same manner, the common building may also be divided by judicial procedure if the separate floors or parts of floors can be used independently without substantial alterations and without inconveniences greater than the ordinary ones.
Para. 1.
The shares of the individual owners in the common parts shall be proportional to the ratio between the values of the separate premises owned by them, calculated at the time of the establishment of the condominium ownership.
Para. 2.
Subsequent alterations to the separate premises shall not affect the amount of the shares.
Para. 3.
In the event of an upward extension of a building under condominium ownership, the owners of the newly constructed floors or parts of floors shall acquire, against payment, ownership also over all common parts of the building, including the land.
Para. 4.
The shares of all co-owners in the common parts shall be determined according to the ratio between the values of the separate premises at the time of completion of the construction.
Para. 5.
Where the owner of a floor or part of a floor transfers a separate part of their property to another person, the share of the acquirer and of the transferor in the common parts of the building shall be determined by the ratio between the values of the transferred and the retained part at the time of the transfer.
Para. 6.
The same rule shall apply in the case of partition.
Para. 1.
Each owner, in proportion to their share in the common parts, shall be obliged to participate in the expenses necessary for their maintenance or restoration, as well as in useful expenses for the performance of which a decision has been taken by the general meeting.
(am. SG No. 6 of 2009, effective as of 01.05.2009; rep. SG No. 57 of 2011)
(am. SG No. 6 of 2009, effective as of 01.05.2009; rep. SG No. 57 of 2011)
(rep. SG No. 57 of 2011)
(suppl. SG No. 6 of 2009, effective as of 01.05.2009)
Para. 1.
The owner of a floor or of a part of a floor shall be removed from the building by decision of the general meeting for a period of up to three years:
Para. 2.
The general meeting may take a decision for removal only after the owner has been warned in writing by the manager that they will be removed from the property, and if, after such warning, the violation has not been discontinued.
(am. SG No. 59 of 2007, effective as of 01.03.2008; am. SG No. 6 of 2009, effective as of 01.05.2009)
Para. 1.
The owner may request the district court to annul the decision of the general meeting for removal, according to the procedure established by a separate law.
Para. 2.
On the basis of the final decision of the general meeting under Art. 45, the manager or the chairperson of the management board may request the issuance of an order for payment under Art. 410, Para. 1 of the Civil Procedure Code.
(rep. SG No. 57 of 2011)
(rep. SG No. 55 of 1978)
(am. SG No. 33 of 1996; am. SG No. 90 of 1999; rep. SG No. 6 of 2009, effective as of 01.05.2009)
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
Para. 1.
The owner of an immovable property may not carry out such actions in their property by which obstacles are created to the use of the neighbouring property greater than the ordinary ones.
Para. 1.
Where, for the performance of works in one immovable property, it is necessary to enter another property, the owner of that property shall be obliged to grant access for this purpose.
(am. SG No. 54 of 1974; am. SG No. 36 of 1979; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
It shall not be permitted to plant trees near the neighbouring property at a distance of less than 3 metres for tall trees, 1.5 metres for medium-sized trees, and 1 metre for low trees.
Para. 2.
The neighbour may request permission from the mayor of the municipality, district or mayoralty for the branches of trees which extend over their property and the roots which pass into their property to be cut.
Para. 3.
Under the same procedure, the neighbour may request the relocation of trees which have been planted at distances closer than those specified above.
Para. 1.
Restrictions on ownership with regard to urban planning and health purposes shall be regulated by separate laws.
Para. 1.
By a decision of the Council of Ministers, obligations may be imposed in connection with the possession or management of property.
REAL RIGHTS OVER ANOTHER’S PROPERTY
Para. 1.
Real rights over another’s property, insofar as they are provided for by law, may be acquired or established by a legal transaction, by prescription, or by other means determined by law.
RIGHT OF USE
Para. 1.
The right of use includes the right to use the thing in accordance with its purpose and the right to receive yields from it, without substantially altering it.
Para. 2.
The user may not alienate their right.
Para. 1.
The user shall be obliged to pay the expenses related to the use, including taxes and other charges, to maintain the thing in the condition in which it was received, and to return it to the owner after termination of the right of use.
Para. 2.
Upon delivery of the property, an inventory shall be drawn up.
Para. 3.
In the absence of an inventory, it shall be presumed, until proven otherwise, that the property was delivered in good condition.
Para. 4.
The user shall not be liable for wear and tear resulting from ordinary use.
Para. 5.
The user shall be obliged to insure the thing for the benefit of the owner and to pay the insurance premiums, unless otherwise provided or agreed.
Para. 1.
The user shall be obliged to notify the owner of any encroachment upon the ownership.
Para. 1.
The right of use shall be extinguished upon the death of the user, if it has not been established for a shorter period.
Para. 2.
The right of use established in favour of a legal person shall be extinguished upon its termination, if a shorter period has not been established.
Para. 3.
The right of use shall also be extinguished by the destruction of the thing, as well as if it is not exercised for a period of five years.
Para. 1.
Lease contracts for agricultural land concluded by the user shall remain in force until the end of the current agricultural year, if the right of use is terminated before that.
Para. 1.
The owner may request the court to terminate the right of use if the user, despite having been warned, continues to use the thing in a manner that threatens it with destruction or significant damage, if they breach their essential obligations, or if they substantially alter the thing.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
With regard to the right of use over State or municipal property, the provisions of this Section shall apply, unless otherwise provided by law or in the act establishing that right.
OWNERSHIP OF A BUILDING
Para. 1.
The owner may grant another person the right to construct a building on their land, whereby that person becomes the owner of the building.
Para. 2.
Likewise, the owner of the land may transfer ownership of an already existing building separately from the land.
Para. 3.
Ownership of a building, separate from the land beneath it, may also be created through voluntary partition.
Para. 1.
The owner of the building may use the land only insofar as this is necessary for the use of the building according to its purpose, unless otherwise provided in the act by which the right was granted.
Para. 1.
Where ownership of the building has been established for a fixed term, upon expiry of that term ownership of the building shall pass gratuitously to the owner of the land.
Para. 1.
The owner of the building may sell it to a third person with corresponding application of the provisions of Art. 33.
Para. 2. (new, SG No. 33 of 1996)
The right to build shall not be extinguished if the building or part thereof perishes, unless otherwise provided in the act of establishment.
Para. 3. (new, SG No. 33 of 1996)
The subject matter of the right to build may also be construction beneath the surface of the land.
Para. 4. (new, SG No. 33 of 1996)
The right of upward extension and the right of lateral extension shall be established for the purpose of extending an existing building upwards or sideways respectively.
Para. 1.
The right to construct a building on another’s land (Art. 63, Para. 1) shall be extinguished in favour of the owner of the land by prescription if it is not exercised for a period of five years.
(Para. 2 new, SG No. 87 of 1974; am. SG No. 91 of 1988; am. SG No. 31 of 1990; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
POSSESSION
Para. 1.
Possession is the exercise of factual power over a thing which the possessor holds, personally or through another, as their own.
Para. 2.
Detention is the exercise of factual power over a thing which the person does not hold as their own.
Para. 1.
It shall be presumed that the possessor holds the thing as their own until it is proven that they hold it for another.
Para. 1.
The possessor shall be in good faith when they possess the thing on a legal ground capable of making them the owner, without knowing that their transferor is not the owner or that the form prescribed by law was defective.
Para. 2.
It shall be sufficient that good faith existed at the time of the emergence of the legal ground.
Para. 3.
Good faith shall be presumed until proven otherwise.
Para. 4.
Where possession has been transferred on the basis of a preliminary contract concluded with the owner of the property, the possessor shall have the rights under Art. 71 and 72.
Para. 1.
The good-faith possessor may use the thing and receive the yields which it has produced until the claim for its restitution is brought.
Para. 1.
The good-faith possessor may claim, for the improvements made, the amount by which the value of the thing has increased as a result of those improvements.
Para. 2.
That increase shall be determined as of the date of the court decision.
Para. 3.
They may claim reimbursement of the necessary expenses incurred for preserving the thing.
Para. 4.
Until payment of the improvements and expenses, they shall have the right to retain the thing.
Para. 1.
The bad-faith possessor shall owe the owner the yields received and those which could have been received, as well as compensation for the benefits of which the owner has been deprived, with deduction of the expenses incurred for that purpose.
Para. 2.
They may also claim reimbursement of the necessary expenses incurred for preserving the thing.
Para. 1.
The bad-faith possessor may claim for the improvements made only the lesser of the amount of the expenses incurred and the amount by which the value of the property has increased as a result of those improvements.
Para. 2.
Where the owner knew that improvements were being made to their property and did not object, the rights of the possessor shall be governed in accordance with Art. 72.
Para. 1.
Possession of an immovable property or of a real right over such property, including a servitude (easement), which has continued uninterruptedly for more than six months, may be protected against any disturbance.
Para. 2.
The claim may be brought within a six-month period.
Para. 1.
The possessor or detainer from whom a movable or immovable thing has been taken by force or secretly may, within six months, request its return from the person who took it.
Para. 2.
This shall not exclude the right of the person who took the thing to bring the claim under the preceding Article.
ACQUISITION AND LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP
Para. 1.
The right of ownership shall be acquired by legal transaction, by prescription, or by other means determined by law.
ACQUISITION OF A MOVABLE THING BY GOOD-FAITH POSSESSION
(Para. 1 am. SG No. 100 of 1997)
Para. 1.
A person who acquires, for consideration, possession of a movable thing or of a bearer security on a legal ground, even from a non-owner, but without knowing this, shall acquire ownership, except where the transfer of ownership of the movable thing requires a notarial deed or notarisation of signatures.
Para. 2.
This rule shall also apply to the acquisition of other real rights over a movable thing.
(Para. 2 am. SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 3.
The owner of a stolen or lost thing may claim it from the good-faith possessor within a three-year period from the theft or loss.
Para. 4.
This rule shall not apply where the possessor acquired the thing from a State or municipal enterprise.
ACQUISITION OF OWNERSHIP BY PRESCRIPTION
Para. 1.
Ownership of an immovable property by prescription shall be acquired through uninterrupted possession for a period of ten years.
Para. 2.
Where possession is in good faith, ownership shall be acquired through uninterrupted possession for a period of five years.
Para. 1.
A movable thing shall be acquired by prescription through uninterrupted possession for a period of five years.
Para. 2.
A person who acquires possession of a movable thing through a criminal offence may not acquire ownership even by prescription.
Para. 1.
Prescription shall be interrupted if possession is lost for a period exceeding six months.
Para. 1.
The possessor may add to their possession the possession of their predecessor in title.
Para. 1.
A person who proves possession at different times shall be presumed to have possessed during the intervening period as well, unless the contrary is proven.
Para. 1.
With regard to acquisitive prescription, in addition to the above rules, Arts. 113, 115, 116, 117 and 120 of the Obligations and Contracts Act shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Para. 1.
The provisions on acquisition of ownership of an immovable property by prescription shall apply to the acquisition by prescription of other real rights over such property as well.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; suppl. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
A thing which is public State or municipal property may not be acquired by prescription.
FOUND THINGS
Para. 1.
A person who finds a movable thing shall be obliged to hand it over to the owner or to the person who has lost it, after set-off or payment of the remuneration and expenses.
(am. SG No. 36 of 1979; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
Where the owner and the person who lost the thing are unknown, the finder shall be obliged to hand it over immediately to the respective Municipal Property Office.
Para. 2.
If the owner or the person who lost the thing claims it within one year from the finding, the thing shall be returned upon payment of remuneration amounting to 10 per cent of the value of the thing and the expenses for its transportation and safekeeping.
Para. 3.
The remuneration may be reduced by the court in view of the financial condition of the person who lost the thing or where the full amount of the remuneration is excessively high.
(am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
If the owner or the person who lost the thing is not found or does not appear within one year, the thing shall become property of the municipality.
Para. 2.
In this case, the provision of Art. 78, Para. 3 shall not apply.
Para. 3.
Things subject to rapid spoilage or the safekeeping of which requires substantial expenses shall be sold, and the proceeds shall be handled in accordance with the preceding paragraph.
(am. SG No. 36 of 1979; rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
Things buried in the ground, built into walls, or hidden in another manner, the owner of which cannot be discovered, shall become property of the State.
Para. 2.
The person who has found them shall be entitled to remuneration amounting to 25 per cent of their value.
ACCESSIONS
Para. 1.
The owner of the land shall also be the owner of the buildings and plantings on it, unless otherwise established.
Para. 1.
The yield from a thing, such as fruits, increase of livestock, rent and other such yields, shall belong to its owner.
PROCESSING AND ATTACHMENT
Para. 1.
A person who has made a new thing from materials belonging to another shall become the owner of the thing if the value of the work exceeds the value of the material and if the person did not know that the material belonged to another.
Para. 2.
Otherwise, the owner of the material shall become the owner of the thing, but shall have the right to renounce it.
Para. 1.
Where a thing is made from materials belonging to different owners, the owner of the thing shall be the person to whom the principal material belongs.
Para. 2.
If none of the materials can be regarded as principal, co-ownership of the thing shall arise.
Para. 1.
In the cases under the preceding two Articles, the person who becomes the owner of the new thing shall owe compensation for the value of the material or for the work, as well as for other damages, if any.
Para. 1.
Where another’s thing is attached as a part to a principal thing in such a manner that it cannot be separated without substantial damage to the principal thing, the owner of that thing shall acquire ownership also of the attached part, subject to the obligation to compensate its owner.
Para. 1.
An appurtenance shall follow the principal thing, unless otherwise provided or agreed.
LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP
Para. 1.
The right of ownership shall be lost if another acquires it or if the owner renounces it.
(former text of Art. 100; suppl. SG No. 34 of 2000, effective as of 01.01.2001)
Para. 1.
Renunciation of the right of ownership over an immovable property shall have effect only if made in written form with a notarised signature and if entered in the Property Register.
(new, SG No. 34 of 2000, effective as of 01.01.2001)
Para. 2.
The declaration of renunciation of the right of ownership under Para. 1 may be withdrawn until the entry of the renunciation in the Property Register.
EXPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY FOR STATE AND PUBLIC NEEDS
(am. SG No. 12 of 1958; am. SG No. 91 of 1988; am. SG No. 38 of 1989; am. SG No. 31 of 1990; am. SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
For particularly important needs of the State and the municipalities, which cannot be satisfied in another manner, property may be expropriated under conditions and according to a procedure established by law, following prior and equivalent compensation.
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
(rep. SG No. 38 of 1989)
(rep. SG No. 33 of 1996)
PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP
Para. 1.
The owner may claim their thing from any person who possesses or detains it without having grounds for this.
Para. 1.
The owner may request termination of any unjustified action which hinders them from exercising their right.
(Para. 2 repealed – SG No. 33 of 1996)
(new – SG No. 33 of 1996)
Para. 1.
The owner of an immovable property may request determination of the boundaries between their property and the neighbouring properties.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Para. 1.
Immovable things are: land, plants, buildings and other constructions, and in general everything which by its nature or by human action is permanently attached to the land or to a building.
Para. 2.
All other things, including energy, are movable things.
Para. 1.
The provisions concerning immovable things shall also apply to real rights over immovable properties, unless the law provides otherwise.
Para. 2.
With regard to all other rights, the provisions relating to movable things shall apply.
Para. 3.
The provisions in Chapters V–XI shall apply to all types of ownership under Art. 2, insofar as no other provision has been made.
REGISTRATION
Para. 1.
The following shall be registered:
Para. 1.
The acts under the preceding Article, until their registration, may not be set up against third persons who have earlier acquired from the same owner and registered real rights over the immovable property.
Para. 1.
The following shall be registered:
Para. 2.
Where registration of the statement of claim is provided for by an explicit provision of law, it shall produce vis-à-vis third persons the effect specified in that provision.
Para. 3.
In the absence of such a provision, registration shall serve only to give publicity to the judicial dispute concerning immovable property.
Para. 4.
Real rights acquired and attachments imposed after the registration may not be set up against the claimant.
Para. 5.
The State or the municipality, for its claims against the transferor which became due prior to the date of transfer or establishment of the real right, may direct enforcement against the property, regardless of whose possession it is in.
Para. 6.
Real rights acquired by third persons after the registration may not be set up against the claimant.
Para. 7.
The statements of claim under the preceding items shall not be examined by the courts until they have been registered.
Para. 1.
Final court decisions rendered on the statements of claim under the preceding Article shall be noted upon submission of a copy of the decision.
Para. 2.
In the decision by which the claim is upheld, the court shall grant the claimant a six-month period to carry out such notation.
Para. 3.
After expiry of this period, the registration of the statement of claim shall lose its effect.
Para. 4.
The court shall not issue a copy of the decision under Art. 19, Para. 3 of the Obligations and Contracts Act until the claimant proves that the expenses for the transfer, as well as the taxes and other obligations of their transferor to the State, have been paid.
Para. 5.
If the statement of claim has not been registered, the decision rendered thereon shall have no effect vis-à-vis third persons, except from the date on which it is registered.
Para. 1.
The details regarding the manner of registration and the fees collected for registration shall be regulated in the Rules on Registration approved by the Council of Ministers.
TRANSITIONAL RULES
Para. 1.
This Act shall enter into force one month after its promulgation and shall repeal:
Para. 1.
Art. 84 of the Compulsory Military Service Act shall be amended as follows:
Para. 2.
“Upon transfer of motor vehicles, the seller and the buyer shall be obliged to notify in writing, within a ten-day period, the department ‘Control of Motor Transport at the Ministry of Internal Affairs’.”
Para. 1.
The right of ownership and the other real rights acquired prior to the entry into force of this Act shall be preserved.
Para. 1.
With regard to acquisitive prescription which began to run under the repealed Limitation Act, the provisions of the present Act shall apply if a longer period is required for completion of prescription under the repealed Act than that provided for in the present Act.
Para. 1.
References in various laws to the provisions of the laws repealed under § 1 shall be deemed references to the corresponding provisions by content of the present Act.
(new – SG No. 87 of 1974)
Para. 1.
Citizens who have been recognised a right to build on regulated State courtyard plots granted to them or occupied by them until 15 December 1951 and built up by 1 September 1956 shall be entitled, upon transfer or expropriation of the properties, to receive the full price for the right to build.
(new – SG No. 87 of 1974)
Para. 1.
The provision of Art. 67, Para. 2 shall also apply to pending cases where the property has not been built upon and continues to be possessed by the person to whom the right to build was granted or by their heirs, provided that it has not been withdrawn by the executive committee of the municipal people’s council prior to the entry into force of that provision.
TO THE ACT AMENDING THE PROPERTY ACT
(prom. – SG No. 31 of 1990)
Para. 1.
This Act shall also apply to expropriation proceedings which had not been completed prior to its entry into force.
TO THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION ACT
(prom. – SG No. 77 of 1991; am. and suppl. – SG No. 49 of 1995; am. – SG No. 26 of 2000)
Para. 1.
Upon entry into force of this Act, the following State properties shall pass into ownership of the municipalities:
Para. 1.
Implementation of this Act shall be entrusted to the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers.
TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE PROPERTY ACT
(prom. – SG No. 33 of 1996; effective as of 01.06.1996; am. – SG No. 54 of 2008)
(repealed – SG No. 54 of 2008)
Para. 1.
This Act shall enter into force on 1 June 1996.
TO THE ACT SUPPLEMENTING THE PROPERTY ACT
(prom. – SG No. 46 of 2006; effective as of 01.06.2006; am. – SG No. 105 of 2006; am. – SG No. 113 of 2007, effective as of 31.12.2007; am. – SG No. 105 of 2011, effective as of 31.12.2011; am. and suppl. – SG No. 107 of 2014, effective as of 31.12.2014; am. – SG No. 7 of 2018, effective as of 31.12.2017; suppl. – SG No. 18 of 2020; am. – SG No. 18 of 2022)
Para. 1.
(am. – SG No. 105 of 2006; am. – SG No. 113 of 2007, effective as of 31.12.2007; am. – SG No. 109 of 2008, effective as of 31.12.2008; am. – SG No. 105 of 2011, effective as of 31.12.2011; former text of § 1, am. – SG No. 107 of 2014, effective as of 31.12.2014; am. – SG No. 7 of 2018, effective as of 31.12.2017; suppl. – SG No. 18 of 2020; Para. 1 and the entry into force of the amendment in SG No. 7 of 2018 declared unconstitutional by Constitutional Court Decision No. 3 of 2022 – SG No. 18 of 2022)
The limitation period for acquisition of properties which are private State or municipal property shall cease to run until 31 December 2022, inclusive, including for acquisition of agricultural land which is owned by, or in respect of which the right of ownership has been restored to, State or municipal schools, or other State and municipal institutions within the system of pre-school and school education.
Para. 2.
(new – SG No. 107 of 2014, effective as of 31.12.2014)
Within a period until 30 June 2015, the Council of Ministers shall submit to the National Assembly an action plan containing all necessary measures to be undertaken by the respective State and local authorities with a view to compliance with the period under Para. 1.
Para. 1.
This Act shall enter into force on 1 June 2006.
TO THE CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
(prom. – SG No. 59 of 2007; effective as of 01.03.2008)
The Code shall enter into force on 1 March 2008, with the exception of:
which shall enter into force three days after promulgation of the Code in the State Gazette.
(Prepared on behalf of Black Sea Law Counsel / BSLC)
This English-language translation of the Law on Ownership (Property Act) of the Republic of Bulgaria is unofficial and has been prepared exclusively for informational, educational, and reference purposes.
The translation is intended to assist foreign nationals, international professionals, academics, practitioners, and English-speaking residents in understanding the structure, terminology, and legal framework governing ownership, real rights, possession, and registration under Bulgarian law.
This document does not have legal force and does not replace the official Bulgarian-language text of the Law on Ownership as promulgated in the State Gazette of the Republic of Bulgaria.
In the event of any discrepancy, inconsistency, omission, or divergent interpretation between this translation and the official Bulgarian text, the Bulgarian-language version shall prevail.
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, terminological consistency, and a faithful 1:1 rendering of the statutory text, Black Sea Law Counsel (BSLC) expressly disclaims any and all liability for:
This translation is provided solely for orientation and reference purposes.
Persons relying on this document are strongly advised to:
Use of this translation is entirely at the reader’s own risk.
(Used throughout the English translation of the Law on Ownership)
Chapter … — chapter heading (rendered as a second-level heading – H2).
Article … — article of the law (rendered as a third-level heading – H3).
Paragraph … — paragraph of an article (corresponds to алинея).
Item … — numbered item within a paragraph (corresponds to точка).
Sub-item … — lettered sub-item (a), (b), (c), etc.
– / • — bullet-point list markers (used only where the original text contains items).
(New — SG No. …) — provision introduced by the specified issue of the State Gazette.
(Amended — SG No. …) — provision amended by the specified issue of the State Gazette.
(Supplemented — SG No. …) — provision supplemented by the cited issue.
(Repealed — SG No. …) — repealed provision, with Gazette reference.
(In force from …) — date on which the amendment entered into force.
(Former text) — indicates a previously applicable wording.
Immovable property / immovable thing — недвижима вещ.
Movable property / movable thing — движима вещ.
Real right — вещно право.
Right of ownership — право на собственост.
Right of use — право на ползване.
Right to build — право на строеж.
Possession — владение.
Detention — държане.
Acquisitive prescription — придобивна давност.
[→ Article XX] — internal cross-reference within the document.
[see Article XX, Paragraph X] — reference to another statutory provision.
“…” — quotation from another legal act, judicial practice, or official source.
Note — editorial or explanatory remark not forming part of the legal norm.
… — omission or shortening of text (used only in commentary, never in the statutory text itself).
⇨ — indicates a logical consequence or clarification (editorial use only).
‼ — highlights a particularly significant amendment or constitutional impact.
📌 Mandatory — visual marker used only in summaries or tables (not in the law text).
🕒 Time limit — highlights deadlines or limitation periods (editorial use).
🔒 Prohibited / ✅ Permitted — visual markers used only in explanatory materials.
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