Powers of attorney for use in Bulgaria
A power of attorney is how you get things done in Bulgaria from a distance, but its form decides whether it works at all. Not all powers of attorney are equal: for some acts certification of the signature is enough, while for transactions requiring notarial form the signature and the content must be certified at the same time.
Official documents and institutions · Last reviewed: 2026-08-23
The rule
Under the Obligations and Contracts Act, where a contract must be concluded in notarial form, the authorisation may be given in writing with notarial certification of the signature and of the content, performed simultaneously. Because disposal of real property in Bulgaria is done by notarial deed, a power of attorney to buy, sell, mortgage or dispose of an inherited share needs more than a certified signature.
For other acts — banking, sale of a vehicle, administrative filings — certification of the signature is usually enough, but the receiving institution may have its own requirements. Ask before drafting.
| Act | Form required | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Disposal of real property | Signature and content certified simultaneously | Notarial deed |
| Disposal of an inherited share | Signature and content certified | Where property is involved |
| Sale of a vehicle | Notarial certification | Check the registration authority's requirements |
| Banking | Certified signature, often the bank's own form | Ask the bank |
| Administrative filings | Usually a certified signature | Depends on the service |
Where it can be executed
Before a Bulgarian notary; before a Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission abroad, which performs notarial certifications within the limits of the law; or before a foreign notary, after which the document goes through apostille and translation. In settlements without a notary or district court, designated municipal officials may certify signature and content in the cases the law provides.
Retrieved on 23 August 2026
What the text should contain
- Identification of principal and attorney, including the identification number used in Bulgaria.
- An exhaustive list of powers; a blanket "any and all acts" clause is risky and often refused.
- Identification of the property by deed and cadastral data.
- A term of validity and whether sub-delegation is allowed.
- Any price or condition limits you want to impose.
Revocation
The principal may revoke, but revocation takes effect against third parties once they know of it. So it is made in writing with notarial certification, delivered to the attorney, notified to the institutions where the document was used, and the original is recovered.
This is not legal or financial advice
Frequently asked questions
Is a certified signature enough for a property transaction?
No. For transactions in notarial form the law requires the signature and the content to be certified simultaneously.
Can it be executed abroad?
Yes, before a Bulgarian consular mission, or before a foreign notary with subsequent apostille and translation.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Закон за задълженията и договорите — Министерство на правосъдието — https://justice.government.bg/home/normdoc/2121934337 · 2026-08-23
- Закон за нотариусите и нотариалната дейност — Министерство на правосъдието — https://justice.government.bg/home/normdoc/2133897733 · 2026-08-23
- Министерство на външните работи — нотариални заверки в задграничните представителства — https://www.mfa.bg/bg/5646 · 2026-08-23
- Административен регистър — нотариално удостоверяване на подпис и съдържание на пълномощно по чл. 37 ЗЗД — https://iisda.government.bg/adm_services/services/service/2094 · 2026-08-23
- Единен портал за електронни административни услуги (egov.bg) — https://egov.bg/ · 2026-08-23
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Notaries in Bulgaria: what they do and when you need one
What a Bulgarian notary does, which transactions must pass through one, why property transfer depends on it, and how it works without Bulgarian.
Apostille in Bulgaria: which authority certifies what
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Certified translation in Bulgaria: what gets accepted
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Transferring title in Bulgaria: deed and registration
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Buying property in Bulgaria: process and checks
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