News from Bulgaria

By 30 June 2026, Bulgaria had exchanged 29.4 billion leva — 94.48 per cent of the leva cash in circulation — into euro; around 1.7 billion leva had not yet reached the national bank. With the end of the six-month period, free exchange at commercial banks came to a close and banks may now charge fees. At the national bank's desks, exchange remains free of charge indefinitely. For questions about the payment route when buying or selling, Svetlana clarifies the details in advance with the bank and the notary.

On 28 June 2026, Nessebar staged the SwimRun Nessebar — according to the municipality, the only contest of its kind in Bulgaria. Competitors complete three laps of about 400 metres swimming around the headland and 2,400 metres running along the seafront promenade, either solo or in relay teams. The start and finish are on the promenade of the new town. The municipality aims to promote an active lifestyle and sports tourism.

For the season, the Ministry of Tourism and the Consumer Protection Commission have stepped up their joint inspections along the Black Sea coast. Checks cover, among other things, beach safety, the correct display of prices in euro and leva, and menus and price lists at venues. In around 130 inspections at more than 70 beaches and some 60 establishments, eleven breaches were found, mainly in price labelling; on the beaches there were five notices about lifeguard and rescue services. For guests and owners, this brings more reliable service and safety.

The Municipality of Burgas has begun building a new wing of the “Proletna daga” kindergarten in the village of Marinka. The two-storey building will accommodate 56 children in one nursery and two kindergarten groups, raising total capacity to 96 children in five groups. It will include a lift, an accessible bathroom on the ground floor and a sports and a music room. Such investment strengthens the residential villages around the city.

The volume of retail trade in Bulgaria in May 2026 was 7.9 per cent higher than a year earlier — the second-largest annual rise in the European Union after Cyprus (8.4 per cent) and ahead of Luxembourg (7.8 per cent). The figures come from Eurostat. Strong private consumption points to robust domestic demand ahead of the euro changeover.

According to Eurostat, house prices in Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2026 were 14.8 per cent higher than a year earlier — the second-largest rise in the European Union after Portugal (17.8 per cent). Compared with the previous quarter, prices gained 6.2 per cent, the strongest quarterly increase of any member state. In the euro area the rise was 4.7 per cent year on year and 1.0 per cent quarter on quarter. For buyers on the southern coast, this confirms the steady demand for homes by the sea.

In Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas, the number of home purchases in the second quarter of 2026 was 18 per cent higher than in the first quarter. About 60 per cent of purchases over the past three months were financed with a mortgage, and in Sofia the share has reached 70 per cent. Around 54 per cent of sellers recently gave ground on price, with discounts typically ranging from 2 to 10 per cent. Analysts read this as an orderly cooling after the strong years of 2023 to 2025 rather than a downturn — for buyers on the coast, it reopens room to negotiate.

At 2.9 per cent, Bulgaria recorded the European Union's lowest unemployment rate in May 2026 for the sixth month in a row, level with Czechia. About 88,000 people were registered as unemployed, down from 105,000 a year earlier. Youth unemployment stood at 11.5 per cent. A steady labour market underpins local demand for housing and rental prospects on the coast.

Anyone still holding cash in lev can exchange it for euro free of charge at the Bulgarian National Bank, in any amount and with no time limit. At banks and Bulgarian Post the exchange was free for the first six months; since 1 July 2026 they may charge a fee. Until 31 December 2026 no institution may refuse the exchange. The fixed rate is 1.95583 lev to the euro — a clear framework for buyers settling incidental costs ahead of the notary appointment.

The mandatory dual display of prices in euro and lev ends on 8 August 2026, having applied since 8 August 2025 for a twelve-month transition period. Both prices had to appear in identical font size, type and colour, with a currency designation, so that the fixed rate of 1.95583 lev to the euro stayed easy to follow. After that, prices are shown in euro only. For buyers comparing prices and running costs on the coast, the euro becomes the single reference.

In Ezero Park next to the equestrian base in Burgas, the 2026 sand sculpture festival is taking shape under the motto Sand Heroes from the Screen, with figures from animation, cinema and video games. The exhibition runs from early July to the end of September, with sculptors working several thousand tonnes of sand. The show forms part of the city's bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2032. For families on the coast, it is an outing away from the beach that stays open all summer.

For the eighth consecutive year, Burgas Free Tour offers free guided walks in summer 2026: daily at 10 am in July and August, lasting about an hour and a half, in English. The meeting point is the Clock Tower opposite the tourist information centre, and the route runs through the city centre and the Sea Garden. Booking is via burgasfreetour.com, though simply turning up at the start also works. For new owners and their guests, it is an easy way to get to know the city.

Loans to private households in Bulgaria reached 30.906 billion euros at the end of May 2026, according to central bank figures — up 20.8 per cent year on year. Housing loans rose to 18.266 billion euros, a gain of 26.6 per cent, while consumer loans reached 11.631 billion euros, up 14.2 per cent. In April, housing loan growth had stood at 27.1 per cent, so the pace remains high but is easing slightly. For buyers, it points to continued strong demand for financing in a low interest-rate environment.

In its June forecast, the Bulgarian National Bank expects real economic growth of 2.8 per cent in 2026, 2.7 per cent in 2027 and 2.9 per cent in 2028. Inflation on the EU-harmonised index is projected to average 5.0 per cent in 2026 (5.9 per cent at year-end), easing to 3.5 per cent in 2027 and 2.9 per cent in 2028. The economy continues to be supported by private consumption. For buyers, the forecast sketches a stable macroeconomic backdrop.

On 12 July 2026 at 8.30 pm, Lili Ivanova performs at the summer theatre in Burgas, as part of her nationwide 2026 tour. One of the defining voices of Bulgarian music, she regularly fills the country's open-air stages during her summer concerts. For owners in Burgas and along the coast, it is an evening that takes place on the doorstep, with no long journey required.

Duni South Beach, about seven kilometres south of Sozopol and 40 kilometres from Burgas, carries the Blue Flag for the 2026 season. Across the country, 32 beaches and marinas have received the international environmental award of the Foundation for Environmental Education. The quiet stretch in the southern part of the Duni holiday village offers marked paths, sanitary facilities and a serviced area with umbrellas and loungers. For owners on the southern coast, the award is a tested marker of water quality and well-kept beachfronts nearby.

According to the European Commission, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026; the exact launch date is yet to be announced. The fee has been set at 20 euros, up from the 7 euros originally planned. The authorisation will be required from visa-exempt non-EU nationals for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across 30 European countries, Bulgaria included. Owners and buyers who travel visa-free — from the United Kingdom or Israel, for instance — will simply add the online application to their travel preparations.

By 31 July, the declaration under Article 55 of the Personal Income Tax Act (form 4001) covering advance tax due for the second quarter must be filed with the revenue agency NRA. Companies and self-employed persons who pay income to individuals file it electronically only; individuals declare themselves when the payer is not obliged to withhold the tax. This also applies to owners letting their coastal apartment to private tenants. For guidance on individual cases, Svetlana draws on her local network of notaries, tax advisers and lawyers.

Bulgaria's road agency API is restricting lorries over 12 tonnes on the Trakia and Struma motorways on Friday 3 July from 4 pm to 11 pm towards Burgas and Kulata, and on Sunday 5 July from 3.30 pm to 10 pm towards Sofia. The Podbalkan road I-6 serves as the alternative route. The arrangement eases the main routes during the peak hours of summer travel. Anyone driving to their coastal apartment at the weekend gets through more smoothly.

From 10.30 am on Friday 3 July, a temporary traffic scheme applies for one month in Kraymorie, the coastal district of Burgas: Glarus Street is closed between Hristo Arnaudov Street and Sirena Street. The reason is work on the district's water and sewerage network. Residents should allow for small detours in the short term — in the medium term, the growing residential district gains renewed utility infrastructure.

The Yavorov open-air cinema in Pomorie screens films daily from 3 to 9 July, starting at 9.15 pm, with a second showing around 10.45 pm on several evenings. The programme includes Toy Story 5, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Michael. Tickets cost 6 euros for children up to 16 and pensioners, 7 euros for adults — with a sea view from the cinema grounds. An easy summer evening for anyone living in Pomorie or keeping a holiday apartment here.

According to the National Statistical Institute's flash estimate, consumer prices in Bulgaria fell by 0.8% in June 2026 compared with May; annual inflation stands at 5.6%. Under the EU-harmonised index, the monthly change was -0.4% and the annual rate 5.3%. The institute publishes the final figures on 15 July. For owners and buyers, the monthly decline is welcome news at mid-year.

In May 2026, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute, 1,021,800 foreign visitors came to Bulgaria, 2.4% more than in May 2025. Most arrived from Romania (254,700), Turkey (190,900), Greece (146,700) and Germany (64,500); 41.9% of visits were for holiday and recreation. The summer season on the coast thus starts from a solid base. For owners who let their apartment part of the year, steady demand is good news.

The tourism ministry has launched the digital campaign Come and Enjoy the Cool Weather in Bulgaria, positioning the country as a pleasantly temperate, affordable and varied destination during Europe's summer heatwaves. The advertising runs on Google and Meta in ten markets, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. The ministry expects a season on a par with last year, with visitor numbers possibly 2 to 3% higher. Greater visibility for the coast also supports rental demand in the Burgas region.

Mayor Dimitar Nikolov presented the city's student campus project to the rector of Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya, Turkey, an institution with around 40,000 students. The talks covered cooperation in higher education, including guest lectures. Notably, the municipality itself is developing the campus project. A growing university presence supports year-round demand for housing in Burgas, well beyond the summer season.

The Municipality of Sozopol has published the summer timetable for the bus line Santa Marina – Sozopol – Kavatsi – Green Life – Dyuni. The line connects the holiday and residential complexes south of town with the centre of Sozopol. The full timetable is available on the municipal website. Owners in the complexes along the route can reach the old town, harbour and shops comfortably without a car.

The aviation museum at Burgas Airport marks its ninth anniversary on 4 July with a full-day programme and free admission. On display are ten original aircraft, including the legendary Tu-154 and an An-12, plus a Tu-134 flight simulator, children's workshops, an acrobatics show and an evening concert. The museum brings civil, agricultural and military aviation together in one place. For families with a holiday apartment nearby, it makes a rewarding outing away from the beach.

The Bulgarian National Bank reports an average interest rate of 2.43% on housing loans to households for May 2026, down 0.01 percentage points. The annual percentage rate of charge fell to 2.77%. New housing loan business amounted to EUR 597.5 million, 6.5% below the previous month. For buyers planning to partly finance a coastal property, borrowing conditions remain steadily favourable.

From 29 June to 2 July, traffic on coastal road I-9 between Obzor and Sunny Beach is being halted nightly from 20:00 to 07:00 (kilometres 172+900 to 202+940). The reason is final resurfacing works, deliberately scheduled for the quiet night hours so the route is ready for the peak season. Road III-208 Provadia–Aytos serves as the diversion. Anyone driving to their coastal property during these days is best advised to travel in daytime.