In order to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle (МПС), a contract must be concluded with the notarised signatures of the seller and the buyer. This certification may be carried out before any notary, regardless of the place of registration of the vehicle.

Please note that if a motor vehicle imported from abroad but not yet registered with the Traffic Police (КАТ) is being sold, the transfer is effected by a written sale contract without the need for notarisation. For the subsequent registration with the Traffic Police, an invoice from the seller must also be attached to the contract; in most cases these are car dealerships.

Documents Required to Transfer Ownership of a Motor Vehicle

The following documents must be presented for the notarial certification of the transfer:

  • A sale contract or, alternatively, a contract of gift or exchange of the motor vehicle;
  • The registration certificate, parts I and II (the small and large registration document);
  • "Third-Party Liability" insurance;
  • A certificate of insurance value of the motor vehicle, which must be issued by an insurance company and not by a broker;
  • A receipt for the vehicle tax paid for the current year;
  • A receipt for the local tax paid under Article 44 of the Local Taxes and Fees Act.

If the seller is represented by an authorised representative, the following will also be required:

  • An express notarised power of attorney;
  • A notarised declaration under Article 264(2) of the Tax and Social Insurance Procedure Code;
  • A notarised declaration of citizenship and civil status under Article 25(8) of the Notaries and Notarial Activity Act.

Please bear in mind that if the vehicle tax was paid by bank transfer or through a platform such as ePay shortly before the sale, the payment may not be reflected in time in the Traffic Police system. In such a case, it may be necessary to have the payment document certified at the municipality, in the "Local Taxes and Fees" department.

Specific Cases in the Transfer of Ownership

  1. Where there is a marriage: If the seller is married and the vehicle was acquired during the marriage, the presence of the other spouse is also required, or, alternatively, a notarised power of attorney and declarations under Article 264(2) of the Tax and Social Insurance Procedure Code and Article 25(8) of the Notaries and Notarial Activity Act. Although the car is registered in the name of one of the spouses, it is regarded as jointly owned property.

  2. In the case of legal entities: Where the seller is a company, some notaries may also require minutes of the general meeting at which the decision to sell the motor vehicle was taken.

  3. In the case of minor owners: If the owner of the motor vehicle is a minor (whether under 14 or aged 14 to 18), they are represented by their legal representative (a parent). This often occurs where the child is an heir of a deceased parent whose name appears on the registration certificate. In this case, the notary will require a certificate of heirs, a birth certificate and a court authorisation for the sale.

Checking of Documents and Additional Requirements

The notary will check the documents in the Traffic Police electronic system. It is advisable to request a copy of the electronic reference in order to check whether any attachments have been imposed on the vehicle.

The absence of "Third-Party Liability" insurance or of a valid technical inspection does not prevent the transfer of ownership of the vehicle.

After the transaction is concluded, the new owner must register the vehicle in their name with the Traffic Police within one month in order to obtain a registration certificate (registration document) in which they are named as the owner.

Procedure in the Case of Administrative and Territorial Differences

  • If the seller and the buyer are from the same region: In this case, where there is no need to change the registration number and the new owner does not plan any structural modifications to the vehicle, registration may be carried out immediately. It is sufficient for the notary to be notified in advance and for an additional fee of BGN 11 to be paid in order for the new certificate to be issued at once. If the contract is signed after 2 p.m., registration may be carried out on the next working day.

  • If the seller and the buyer are from different regions: In this case, if the buyer wishes to change the registration plates, they must present the vehicle for identification at the Traffic Police.

If the buyer does not register the vehicle within one month, the registration will be terminated ex officio, and the registration plates and the registration certificate will become invalid.

Additional Options for Keeping the Registration Number

From 1 January 2021, the seller may keep the registration number of the vehicle being sold for another vehicle of the same category. This is done by submitting an application to the Traffic Police before the transaction. After submitting the application, the seller may register another vehicle with the same plates within one month.

Tax Registration of the New Owner

The new owner of the vehicle is under no obligation to declare the acquisition of the vehicle to the municipality, since the information about the change of ownership is submitted automatically, ex officio.

Should you require advice in connection with the purchase and sale of a motor vehicle, or the review and preparation of the necessary documents, please contact us on telephone 0887550706 or by e-mail: [email protected]