If you are buying or selling property in Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas or Ravda, one of the most important professionals you will deal with is a notary. In Bulgaria, property transactions cannot be legally completed without a Notary Deed signed before an authorised notary.
In Nessebar Municipality, there are only three active and authorised notaries. They serve the entire municipal area, including Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas, Ravda and all surrounding settlements under the Municipality of Nessebar.
Understanding who they are and why their role is so important is essential for any property owner.
Why Notaries Are Essential in Bulgarian Property Transactions
In Bulgaria, a notary is not just someone who stamps documents. They are a state-authorised legal professional responsible for:
- Verifying ownership of the property
- Checking for mortgages, encumbrances or legal restrictions
- Confirming the identity of buyer and seller
- Drafting and approving the Notary Deed
- Registering the transaction in the Property Registry
Without a notary, a property sale is not legally valid.
Unlike some other countries, where solicitors or conveyancers handle property transfers, in Bulgaria the final transfer of ownership must take place in front of a notary with territorial jurisdiction over the property’s location.
That means if your property is in Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas or Ravda, the transaction must be completed before one of the authorised notaries in Nessebar Municipality.
The Active Notaries in Nessebar Municipality
There are only three authorised notaries serving the entire municipality.
1. Linka Chutkina
City: Sunny Beach
Address: Administrator Building “Sapphire”, Floor 2, Office 5, 8240 Sunny Beach
Notary Linka Chutkina is based directly in Sunny Beach, which makes her office particularly convenient for property owners and buyers involved in transactions within the resort area.
Her jurisdiction covers the entire Municipality of Nessebar, including:
- Sunny Beach
- Nessebar
- Sveti Vlas
- Ravda
- Kosharitsa
- Tankovo
- And surrounding municipal villages
Because her office is located in Sunny Beach itself, many property transactions for holiday apartments in the resort are completed there.
2. Stoyan Angelov
City: Nessebar
Address: 23 Ivan Vazov Street, Floor 2, 8230 Nessebar
Notary Stoyan Angelov is based in the town of Nessebar. His office handles property transactions across the entire municipality.
His jurisdiction covers the entire Municipality of Nessebar, including:
- Sunny Beach
- Nessebar
- Sveti Vlas
- Ravda
- Kosharitsa
- Tankovo
- And surrounding municipal villages
Nessebar is the administrative centre of the municipality, so many transactions — especially involving properties in Nessebar Old Town or Ravda — are completed here.
3. Mariya Bakardzhieva
City: Nessebar
Address: 14 Ivan Vazov Street, 8230 Nessebar
Notary Mariya Bakardzhieva also operates from Nessebar town and serves the full municipal region.
Her jurisdiction covers the entire Municipality of Nessebar, including:
- Sunny Beach
- Nessebar
- Sveti Vlas
- Ravda
- Kosharitsa
- Tankovo
- And surrounding municipal villages
All three notaries have equal territorial authority within Nessebar Municipality.
Areas Served by These Notaries
The jurisdiction of these notaries includes the entire Municipality of Nessebar, which covers:
- Sunny Beach
- Nessebar (Old Town and New Town)
- Sveti Vlas
- Ravda
- Kosharitsa
- Tankovo
- Smaller villages under municipal administration
If your property is located within this municipality, you must complete the transaction before one of these three notaries.
You cannot choose a notary from Burgas, Varna or another city unless the property is located within their territorial district.
What Exactly Does the Notary Do During a Property Sale?
Many foreign property owners assume the estate agent or lawyer finalises the sale. In Bulgaria, the notary is the authority that legally transfers ownership.
Here is what happens on the day of completion:
- The notary verifies all ownership documents.
- The property is checked for encumbrances in the Property Register.
- Both parties present identification.
- The Notary Deed is read aloud.
- Buyer and seller sign in the presence of the notary.
- The notary registers the transaction officially.
Only after registration does ownership legally transfer to the buyer.
Why Using an Authorised Notary Is So Important
Working with one of the authorised notaries in Nessebar Municipality ensures:
Legal Security
The transaction complies fully with Bulgarian property law.
Ownership Protection
The notary verifies that the seller is the legal owner and that the property is free of hidden legal issues.
Fraud Prevention
Identity checks prevent impersonation or unauthorised sales.
Proper Registration
The sale is officially recorded in the Bulgarian Property Registry.
Without these steps, a transaction would be legally invalid and unenforceable.
Can You Sell Property Without Being Present in Bulgaria?
Yes. If you are abroad — for example in the UK or Ireland — you can appoint a representative through a Power of Attorney.
In this case:
- The Power of Attorney must be notarised abroad.
- It must be legalised with Apostille.
- It must be translated into Bulgarian.
Your appointed representative can then sign before one of the authorised notaries in Nessebar Municipality on your behalf.
This is very common for foreign property owners who cannot travel.
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Do All Notaries Charge the Same Fees?
Notary fees in Bulgaria are regulated by law. They are calculated based on the declared sale price or tax valuation (whichever is higher).
The fee scale is standard across the country, meaning:
- There is no price competition between notaries
- Fees are set by official tariff
- Costs depend on property value
Additional minor fees may apply for document preparation and registration services.
What Documents Are Required for the Notary?
For a standard property sale, the seller typically needs:
- Notary Deed (proof of ownership)
- Tax valuation certificate
- Certificate of encumbrances
- Identity documents
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Company documents (if owned by a company)
The notary will review these before approving the transaction.
Why It’s Important to Work With a Local Agency
Although the notary finalises the sale, preparation is critical. Missing documents or incorrect paperwork can delay the transaction.
An experienced local real estate agency ensures:
- All required documents are prepared in advance
- The buyer is financially ready
- The transaction is coordinated with the notary
- Translations are arranged if needed
- The signing process runs smoothly
Because there are only three authorised notaries in Nessebar Municipality, scheduling and preparation are essential — especially during the busy summer season when many transactions take place.
Final Thoughts
If you own property in Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas or Ravda, your transaction must be completed before one of the three authorised notaries serving Nessebar Municipality:
- Linka Chutkina (Sunny Beach)
- Stoyan Angelov (Nessebar)
- Mariya Bakardzhieva (Nessebar)
They are the only active and legally authorised notaries with jurisdiction over this area.
Understanding their role gives you clarity and confidence when buying or selling property on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
If you are planning to sell, ensuring proper legal preparation and working with professionals who understand the local notary system will protect your interests and guarantee a smooth and secure transaction.
