Apartment Rental in Bulgaria

If you're looking for property in Bulgaria for a seasonal holiday or relocation, but aren't yet considering buying, renting will be an excellent solution! 

The Bulgarian property market is full of options for renting affordable and elite apartments and flats for various lengths of stay in the country. 

A foreigner can easily rent housing for a day, a week, a month or a year, having only a passport. 

Renting a flat in another country requires vigilance and knowledge of the market's legal nuances, especially if you want to rent a flat in Bulgaria for a long term. 

Bulgaria Avenue property agency offers the service of choosing flats and apartments you can select from: we offer seaside apartments with a magnificent window view or in the centre with windows onto the lively city. In them you'll feel comfortable, and everything necessary for life will be within walking distance. 

Flat Rental in Bulgaria – Formats and Terms

Foreigners come to Bulgaria for various purposes – holidays, business trips, relocation for permanent residence – but in any case they need somewhere to live. The rental property market here is divided into segments by contract length and residence term, which directly affects the contract's financial terms. 

Long-Term Rental 

Long-term flat rental in Bulgaria is the most cost-effective format and implies residence from 6 – 12 months. Choosing this rental type, both sides of the transaction get undoubted benefits: the tenant gets a fixed housing price (relevant in tourist season) and confidence that they won't need to look for housing again soon. The owner has a stable guaranteed income and minimal hassle in maintaining the property. 

A contract is concluded between the parties with an Act and inventory of property condition; the first month's payment and a deposit of 1–2 months' payments are paid. 

Monthly

Apartments in Bulgaria for a month can be rented by tourists, freelancers or foreigners considering the country for future relocation for permanent residence. Compared with the first option, it will cost 20–30% more, though the price includes part of the utility payments. 

Seasonal Rental

Seasonal rental is relevant for summer months and early autumn, when tourists come for holidays. During this period there's great demand for apartments and flats near the sea, so we recommend booking in advance. Housing can be rented daily, for several days or weeks.

How Much Does Flat Rental in Bulgaria Cost

Since Bulgaria is one of Europe's most affordable countries for property costs and living in general, you can rent apartments/flats here affordably. 

Segmented price range: 

• a budget option in small towns or 15 minutes' drive from the coast will cost on average €200–€300;

• middle class with good modern properties can be chosen for €350–€700 per month (Varna, Sofia, Burgas);

• premium options – first-line housing or elite apartments from €1,000 and up.  

The price is influenced by: the chosen region, proximity to the sea, season, housing type, and the availability of all necessary appliances and furniture. 

In addition to rental costs, you should remember additional expenses: 

• payment for electricity and water by meter;

• internet (up to €15 per month);

• maintenance fee if it's a residential complex with gated grounds, security, parking or pool (calculated per 1 m² of housing and ranges from €4 to €20 per month).

Where to Find the Best Options

Bulgaria has many apartment and flat options:

• for long-term residence and work, it's better to choose apartments in large cities with well-developed infrastructure (transport, educational institutions, hospitals, shops, etc.);   

• for holidays we recommend choosing resorts: Elenite, Sveti Vlas, Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Pomorie, Golden Sands, Saint Constantine – the sea is close here and there are all the amenities for quality pastime;

• flats in the countryside (10+ km from cities) can be rented relatively cheaply while getting peace and the desired level of comfort. 

Rent from the Owner or Through an Agency?

Coming to Bulgaria, foreigners look for the option of renting a flat from the owner, so as not to approach a property agency and save on service commission. 

What pitfalls can await you if you choose housing independently? 

• housing owners sometimes offer to conclude the transaction «verbally», without an official contract: as a result, you'll be left without address registration, which is a problem for non-residents; 

• no fixed price (the flat owner can raise the payment or evict you without warning at any time);

• due to language barriers, discussing important nuances will be practically impossible (how utilities work, subtleties of payment by bills);

• if a contract wasn't drawn up, returning the deposit on check-out will be difficult.  

Bulgaria Avenue agency offers a wide range of services for property rental,  comfortable relocation and adaptation in Bulgaria.
We guarantee clients:

• checking the housing owner's documents, recording the condition of finishes, appliances and furniture in the handover act;

• protection of the paid deposit;

• full notary support;

• throughout the rental contract term, the client can contact us if problems arise with the landlord.

What Should You Pay Attention To?

When choosing housing for rental, we recommend considering the following:

• what condition the furniture is in and how the appliances work;

• hidden utility costs: if the building doesn't yet have Act 16, then electricity must be paid at the industrial rate, which is twice the usual;

• if a foreigner needs to obtain a residence permit / permanent residence, they need to provide a notarised copy of the rental contract;

• address registration – a foreigner must register at the address within 5 days of moving in: the housing owner needs to either go to the police together with the tenant, or provide a power of attorney; 

• make sure the contract states a fixed price regardless of season: landlords often raise prices several times in summer or ask residents to move out for summer to rent the flat to tourists;

• the deposit is usually returned on the day of check-out, though landlords may withhold part of the sum for furniture wear.

Flat Rental Process for Residents and Non-Residents 

How can a non-resident (including Ukrainian citizens) rent housing in Bulgaria? The procedure is as simple as possible if you use the services of a reliable property agency:

1. Choosing a flat or apartment – our agency will offer options according to the client's criteria and budget. 

2. Viewing in person or via video call, convenient if you can't come. 

3. Agreeing the price, terms and residence conditions. 

4. To sign the contract, only a passport is needed; having a residence permit or citizenship isn't required. 

5. After paying the first month and deposit, the keys are handed over. 

If you're looking for reliable and comfortable housing in Bulgaria for rental, Bulgaria Avenue agency will help choose the ideal apartments for comfortable living and a bright holiday. 

Contact us today so we can offer a selection of current options at attractive prices!