You can no longer build a house of more than 100 sq. m. on your own without signing a contract with a construction company. What should you pay attention to?
One of the unexpected consequences of the lockdown in Bulgaria is the increased interest in individual house building. This year many people have started thinking about a house of their own within the city or beyond its limits – necessarily with a plot of land where you can walk without restrictions even at the height of an epidemic.
Some have found a ready-made house for themselves, while others have taken a different path and decided to build a home that will fully meet the owners’ needs. This option is better than buying at least because you can be sure of the quality of the materials, control the progress of the work from the very start and arrange the house to your own taste. The idea of building a house is especially popular among those who have some experience of construction and renovation work.
It is well known that foreigners from third countries in Bulgaria cannot buy land in their own name, but this legal requirement is easy to get around – it is enough to set up a Bulgarian legal entity and register the plot to it. However, this is not the only difficulty awaiting future homeowners. For example, not everyone knows that amendments to the Spatial Planning Act (ЗУТ) have been in force since 2019, according to which only construction companies entered in a special register («Централния професионален регистър») of the builders’ association in Bulgaria may erect houses of more than 100 sq. m.
Previously the minimum threshold was ten times higher, but Bulgarian builders had long been insisting that it be lowered. This measure is intended to reduce the number of builders working illegally and not paying taxes.
The amendments concern not only construction “from scratch” but also reconstruction. For example, you can no longer increase the height of low houses on your own. Certain restrictions also apply to water boreholes – you cannot simply dig one and use it, special registration with the Environment and Water Inspectorate (инспекция по околната среда и водите) is required.
The builders’ association of Bulgaria insisted that all companies working in this field be entered in the register. This will ensure not only the payment of taxes but also high construction quality, yet clients wishing to save money are not enthusiastic about such changes. Those who began construction without knowing about the amendments to the law have found themselves in a difficult and, at first glance, hopeless situation.
Thus, when building a house in Bulgaria you may encounter a variety of difficulties that may seem insurmountable. However, professionals know – there is always a way out! We will accompany you along the entire path from developing the project to obtaining Act 16 – the final result of construction. Contact Bulgarian Expert and we will help you with projects, approvals at every stage, inspections during construction and putting the property into operation.
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