What happens at the notary appointment when buying property in Bulgaria?

A notary appointment in Bulgaria can feel different from what buyers from Germany or other Western European countries expect. In Svetlana's experience much of the practical work is prepared by the notary's staff, documents are often dealt with close to the appointment, and direct contact with the notary may be brief. The law is nonetheless clear: the notary reads the content of the deed to the parties, and signing takes place only after they approve it (Art. 579(1) of the Civil Procedure Code, GPK); without the reading the notarisation is void (Art. 576 GPK). The notary checks whether the seller is the owner and whether the special requirements of the transaction are met (Art. 586(1) GPK), and must explain the legal consequences to the parties (Art. 25(1) of the Notaries Act, ZNND). Mortgages and seizures are checked only on the parties' instruction (Art. 22 ZNND), so that check belongs with a lawyer before the appointment. A sworn translator accompanies you and translates the contracts at the meeting. That is why preparation matters: Svetlana clarifies the points early, speaks personally with the lawyers and the notary's office, and makes sure you attend the appointment calm and well informed.