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Opening a bank account in Bulgaria as a foreigner for property purchase

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Gala_G
Joined:
25.02.2020
Posts: 2089
Topic Starter
10.01.2025 08:39
I am currently in the process of buying a vacation apartment in Bulgaria and my real estate agent mentioned that I will need a local bank account to handle utility payments and the final transfer. However, I have heard mixed reports about how difficult it is for non-residents to open an account there lately due to strict AML regulations. Has anyone gone through this process recently as a foreigner? I would appreciate any advice on which banks are more expat-friendly or what specific documentation I should prepare in advance to avoid being turned away.
19 replies in this topic
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camilo
Joined:
10.07.2020
Posts: 1361
21.01.2025 00:49
It is definitely not as easy as it used to be. Most banks in Bulgaria now require a personal visit and a mountain of paperwork to prove the source of your funds.
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Chris_K
Joined:
18.09.2020
Posts: 2305
21.02.2025 21:28
In reply to a previous post
I opened an account with UBB last year. It took about three hours in the branch and I needed a signed declaration about my tax residency status.
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Bob_J
Joined:
06.01.2021
Posts: 1774
04.05.2025 11:00
Does anyone know if you can do this remotely? My agent says no, but I'm hoping there's a workaround.
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Oli_L
Joined:
24.12.2022
Posts: 1147
18.06.2025 03:16
In reply to a previous post
Forget about remote opening. Bulgarian banks are very strict with KYC compliance right now. You have to be there in person.
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demian_l
Joined:
09.05.2024
Posts: 2315
03.07.2025 12:31
I tried UniCredit and they turned me away immediately because I didn't have a permanent residence permit. It seems to depend heavily on the branch manager.
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wes_55
Joined:
08.11.2020
Posts: 1926
10.07.2025 02:39
In reply to a previous post
Exactly, it really depends on the individual branch. I had luck at a smaller branch of DSK Bank in a provincial town, whereas the Sofia offices were super bureaucratic.
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lone_wolf
Joined:
05.12.2023
Posts: 2230
17.07.2025 17:56
Make sure you have your passport and a utility bill from your home country for address verification. Sometimes they also ask for a reference letter from your home bank.
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Iva_R
Joined:
17.12.2023
Posts: 1236
09.08.2025 03:32
In reply to a previous post
Good tip. Also, don't forget that everything needs to be translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator if it's not in English.
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Yaro_K
Joined:
09.11.2022
Posts: 71
10.08.2025 19:20
Is it really necessary to have a local account for utility bills? Can't you just pay them online via an app or at the utility office?
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Bob_J
Joined:
11.05.2021
Posts: 2208
18.08.2025 07:02
In reply to a previous post
You can pay some at the EasyPay offices, but for the deed and the official transfer, the notary usually insists on a local bank transfer to avoid currency exchange issues.
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Zina_P
Joined:
27.03.2024
Posts: 2095
09.09.2025 11:28
I used a lawyer to help me with the process. They handled the bank appointment and it made things much smoother.
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KnowItAll
Joined:
06.05.2023
Posts: 1678
06.10.2025 10:46
In reply to a previous post
How much did the lawyer charge for that? Sounds like a good investment if it saves a headache.
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Alex_K
Joined:
05.12.2020
Posts: 405
20.10.2025 08:49
Have you considered Revolut? Some property sellers accept it, but check with your notary first because some are old-school and only want traditional bank transfers.
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MrNobody
Joined:
25.02.2025
Posts: 2331
07.11.2025 03:03
In reply to a previous post
Revolut is great for daily spending, but for a property purchase, you really need a Bulgarian IBAN. It simplifies the registration of the property with the local municipality.
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greg_b
Joined:
27.09.2025
Posts: 988
16.11.2025 21:47
Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions about your profession and your income. They are very paranoid about AML.
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Nico_N
Joined:
28.09.2024
Posts: 1617
13.01.2026 17:02
In reply to a previous post
I second that. Bring your last three months of bank statements from your home country just in case they ask for proof of income.
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Yana_P
Joined:
22.08.2020
Posts: 1665
05.02.2026 11:47
I'm currently looking at Postbank. Does anyone have experience with them?
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answer_bot
Joined:
26.04.2022
Posts: 657
08.02.2026 14:50
In reply to a previous post
Postbank was okay for me, but the fees for non-residents are quite high compared to the standard accounts.
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chris_1982
Joined:
20.02.2024
Posts: 796
26.02.2026 14:29
Good luck with your purchase! It's a bit of a bureaucratic nightmare, but totally worth it once you get the keys to your vacation home.

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