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Updated May 202612 min read

Renting an apartment in Bulgaria

Where to look, what landlords actually want, deposits, and the leases people sign without reading.

Ask BulgarIA about this

Finding a flat in Bulgaria is mostly straightforward, with two or three traps that catch foreigners every single time. This guide walks you through where to look, what landlords expect, and the deposit rules nobody explains until it's too late.

Looking for a flat-share instead of your own place? Browse or post on our community roommates board — it's cheaper, often faster, and a great way to meet people your first year. For the short, honest list of where to browse listings (with what to watch out for), see our rental-portal directory.

And before you sign anything, budget for the one-time first-month costs (deposit, furniture, registrations) — see our first-month costs guide.

Where to look

Most listings live on a handful of local sites and Facebook groups rather than international portals. Prices below are May 2026 medians for an unfurnished 60–80m² flat in a "good but not central" neighbourhood.

City1-bed2-bed3-bed
Sofia€560€770€1,070
Plovdiv€380€510€720
Varna€435€590€820
The foreigner premium is real. Some landlords quote a higher price when they hear a non-Bulgarian accent. Have a Bulgarian-speaking friend make the first call where you can — it can save 10–15%.

What landlords actually want

Bring these to a viewing and you'll be taken seriously:

  • A first month's rent plus a one-month deposit, in cash or by bank transfer
  • Your passport and, ideally, your ЕГН or ЛНЧ
  • A short, friendly explanation of what you do and how long you plan to stay
  • A willingness to sign a written lease (some landlords will suggest skipping it — don't)

The deposit gotcha

Deposits are not held in a protected account here. The landlord simply keeps the cash. Photograph every wall, appliance and existing scratch on move-in day and email the photos to the landlord the same day — that timestamped email is your only real protection when you move out.

Step by step

  1. Shortlist 5–6 flats and book viewings back-to-back on the same day.
  2. At the viewing, test the heating, the hot water, and the mobile signal in every room.
  3. Agree the price and get the lease in writing — verbal deals are unenforceable in practice.
  4. Register your address with the НАП if your residency type requires it.
  5. Move in, document everything, and send the dated photos.

Take your time on step 3. A clear written lease is the single thing that protects you if anything goes wrong later.

Sources

Ask BulgarIANew