To manage an inheritance in Bulgaria effectively, first determine the applicable law under EU Regulation 650/2012. Collect all necessary documents, including death certificates, last wills, apostilles, and sworn translations. Identify the competent notary, ensure compliance with Bulgarian inheritance rules, fulfill tax obligations in each relevant jurisdiction, and formalize the allocation and registration of assets. In Bulgaria, estates may be distributed according to a valid will or, if none exists, under intestacy laws, which safeguard mandatory shares for spouses and children. Below, you’ll find step-by-step guidance, a comprehensive documents table, and frequently asked questions to simplify the process.
If you wonder, “How to manage an inheritance in Bulgaria?”, follow these steps and review the quick reference table below.
Table of Contents📋
- Steps
- Documents and deadlines
- Taxes
- Asset allocation and registration
- Frequently Asked Questions
Steps ⚖️
Applicable law and will: Determine the deceased’s habitual residence and apply EU Regulation 650/2012 if relevant. Review the will and last wishes. In Bulgaria, if there’s no will, intestate succession applies, ensuring a compulsory share (“compulsory portion”) for children and spouse/registered partner.
Documentation: Obtain death certificates, last wills, inventory of assets, apostilles, and sworn translations as required by each jurisdiction.
Notary and representation: Contact the competent notary in Bulgaria or your country. For remote management, grant international powers of attorney to specialized inheritance lawyers.
Tax obligations: Consider Bulgarian inheritance rules, any real estate transfer taxes, Spanish ISD, municipal capital gains if applicable, and double taxation treaties.
Asset allocation and registration: Formalize the acceptance and division of the estate and register assets in Bulgaria and other relevant jurisdictions.
Documents and Deadlines 📑
Documents and deadlines {#documents}
| Document | Issued by | Where | Apostille/Translation | Estimated time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death certificate | Civil Registry | Country of death | Yes, if foreign | 3–10 days | €10–30 |
| Last wills / will | Bulgarian Notary / RGAUV | Bulgaria / abroad | Apostille + translation if applicable | 3–15 days | €20–60 |
| Inventory of assets | Registries / Entities | Each country | Depends on document | 1–4 weeks | — |
| Hague Apostille | Competent authority | Country of issue | — | 1–10 days | €20–60 |
| Sworn translation | Certified translator | — | — | 2–7 days | €0.08–0.15 per word |
| Acceptance / division deed | Notary | Bulgaria / abroad | According to annexes | 1–3 weeks | €300–1,200 |
Taxes 💰
- Spain (ISD): Depends on the autonomous community.
- Municipal capital gains: Applies if urban real estate exists in Spain.
- Bulgaria: Inheritance follows intestacy or testamentary rules; no general inheritance tax, but real estate transfer tax may apply.
- Double taxation: Review treaties or rules for exemption/imputation.
Sources: Bulgarian Inheritance Law, AEAT, EU Regulation 650/2012
Acceptance and Registration 🏠
- Acceptance/deed of division with inventory and allocations.
- Registration in Bulgarian and foreign registries.
- Remote representation through powers of attorney and legalizations if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
1- How to manage an inheritance in Bulgaria if the deceased lived there?
To manage an inheritance in Bulgaria, follow the procedures at the local notary office, present the will and death certificates, and comply with EU Regulation 650/2012. If no will exists, Bulgarian intestacy laws apply, ensuring mandatory shares for spouses and children. Wills can be notarial, private, or holographic, each with specific legal requirements.
2- How to manage an inheritance in Bulgaria from abroad?
If you are abroad, you can manage a Bulgarian inheritance by granting an international power of attorney to a qualified Bulgarian inheritance lawyer. Your representative can handle all procedures, submit the proper will, and ensure compliance with Bulgarian inheritance law. Bulgaria recognizes notarial, private, and holographic wills, each with specific legal formalities that your lawyer will follow.
3- What documents are required?
Death certificate, last wills, will, inventory of assets, apostilles, and sworn translations.
4- Where are taxes paid if assets are in Bulgaria and Spain?
Taxes must be paid in both Bulgaria and Spain, depending on the location of the inherited assets and the residence of the heirs. Apply the relevant double taxation treaties to avoid paying taxes twice, and consult a professional to ensure compliance with both Bulgarian and Spanish inheritance tax regulations.
5- Can I manage the inheritance without traveling to Bulgaria?
Yes, you can manage a Bulgarian inheritance entirely from abroad using international powers of attorney and legal representation by specialized inheritance lawyers. Grupo Hereda offers expert guidance, handling all documentation, notary procedures, and asset registration remotely, ensuring a smooth and compliant cross-border succession process.
6- What happens if there’s no will in Bulgaria?
Intestate succession applies, respecting the compulsory share for children and spouse/registered partner according to Bulgarian law.
Conclusion 🎬
“How to manage an inheritance in Bulgaria?” demands careful attention to legal requirements, documentation, tax obligations, and asset registration. For international or cross-border successions, the most secure approach is to rely on professional expertise. Grupo Hereda, with over 25 years of experience handling Bulgarian and international inheritances, provides comprehensive guidance, legal representation, and step-by-step support to ensure a smooth and compliant process.
Legal References📚
- 📘 Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 – EU Succession Regulation
This regulation governs cross-border inheritance matters within the European Union, establishing rules on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions, and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession. It aims to simplify the handling of international successions and is applicable in all EU member states except Denmark and Ireland. - 📘 Bulgarian Inheritance Act (Закон за наследството)
The Bulgarian Inheritance Act, enacted on April 30, 1949, outlines the legal framework for inheritance in Bulgaria. It specifies the rules for statutory succession, the rights of heirs, and the procedures for accepting or renouncing an inheritance. - 📘 Bulgarian Civil Code
While the Inheritance Act primarily governs succession matters, the Bulgarian Civil Code also contains provisions related to inheritance, particularly concerning the rights and obligations of heirs and the administration of the estate.
Grupo Hereda
Grupo Hereda is a law firm specialized in international and national inheritances, with more than 25 years of experience handling complex succession cases.
We assist with inheritances in Bulgaria involving heirs in Spain, as well as inheritances in Spain with beneficiaries residing in Bulgaria or other countries.
Our legal team coordinates every phase of the process from obtaining certificates and apostilles to settling taxes and registering assets in the corresponding registries.
If you’re unsure how to manage an inheritance in Bulgaria, Grupo Hereda guides you step by step, offering comprehensive legal advice and remote representation.
We also manage all types of international and national inheritances, ensuring legal security and time efficiency.
💬 Free Consultation:
If you are facing a complex inheritance or don’t know where to start, don’t give up your rights.
Contact us, and we will find a personalized solution for your case.
📞 Call us: (+34) 915 487 550
📧 Email: info@grupohereda.com
🌍 We operate throughout Spain and handle international inheritances across Europe and beyond the EU.
