How to get a BULSTAT card remotely after buying a property?

bulgariarealestatelegal
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Elena_90
Joined:
13.03.2021
Posts: 964
Topic Starter
08.02.2025 02:06
Hey everyone, I recently closed on a small apartment in Bulgaria, but I had to fly back home right after the notary signed the deeds. My lawyer mentioned I need a BULSTAT card to register with the local tax office and utilities, but I'm not sure how to do this from abroad. Can I give someone power of attorney at the embassy to pick it up for me, or is there a way to apply online? If anyone has gone through this process remotely recently, I'd really appreciate some guidance on the steps.
13 replies in this topic
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Selector
Joined:
05.09.2021
Posts: 1954
27.03.2025 04:06
Congrats on the apartment purchase! Yes, you can definitely use a power of attorney (POA) to get your BULSTAT sorted.
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radek_c
Joined:
25.04.2020
Posts: 418
19.04.2025 17:30
In reply to a previous post
What the first user said. Just make sure the POA is drafted correctly, ideally bilingual if you are doing it at an embassy outside Bulgaria.
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simon_v
Joined:
03.10.2024
Posts: 28
28.04.2025 19:58
Can't you just wait until your next trip? Is it super urgent to get it right now?
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Marius_C
Joined:
23.05.2021
Posts: 1640
18.06.2025 02:13
In reply to a previous post
@User3 Municipal taxes have a 2-month deadline from the date of the title deed, so waiting too long might incur a fine.
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KnowItAll
Joined:
26.03.2020
Posts: 1772
16.08.2025 18:00
Going through the Bulgarian embassy in your home country is usually the safest route for the POA.
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uncle_joe
Joined:
02.10.2022
Posts: 2423
30.09.2025 18:02
Does anyone know if online applications are accepted now? Or is physical presence (or POA) still mandatory?
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Vic_S
Joined:
01.03.2023
Posts: 901
17.10.2025 01:27
In reply to a previous post
@User6 As far as I know, the Registry Agency still doesn't accept purely online submissions for BULSTAT without an electronic signature (KAI), which foreigners usually don't have.
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Milos_S
Joined:
02.04.2022
Posts: 1472
26.11.2025 16:08
Your Bulgarian lawyer should actually be able to handle this if you mail them a proper POA.
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Kate_J
Joined:
10.02.2023
Posts: 1218
07.12.2025 03:03
In reply to a previous post
I did this last year. I signed the POA at the local Bulgarian embassy, DHL'd the original to my lawyer in Sofia, and had my BULSTAT card a week later.
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Mike_B
Joined:
07.05.2023
Posts: 1157
09.01.2026 13:58
In reply to a previous post
Just a heads up, make sure the POA explicitly mentions 'obtaining a BULSTAT number and card' and registering with the municipality and NAP (tax office).
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Yani_Z
Joined:
12.11.2025
Posts: 2108
06.03.2026 19:42
Bureaucracy in Bulgaria is always fun, isn't it? Hang in there, it gets easier once the utilities are in your name.
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Igor_Tech
Joined:
21.10.2022
Posts: 791
07.03.2026 14:57
In reply to a previous post
Thanks for all the great info everyone, really helpful thread.
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Alan_K
Joined:
03.06.2023
Posts: 470
04.04.2026 23:37
In reply to a previous post
Make sure your lawyer sends you a scanned copy of the card once they get it, just so you have the number for utility setup while the physical card is in transit.

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