Power of attorney in Bulgaria 2026: types, cost, free templates
What a power of attorney is in Bulgaria, when notarial certification is needed, what it costs and where to find free templates. Prices for 2026.
You need to sign a contract but you will not be in town. Or you want someone else to represent you before the bank. A power of attorney (пълномощно) is the document that lets you authorise another person to act in your name. But the types, the form and the price often confuse people.
❓What is a power of attorney and when do I need notarial certification?
Source: ЗЗД, Art. 37
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a document by which one person (the principal, упълномощител) gives another person (the agent, пълномощник) the right to act in their name. All the legal consequences arise for the principal, not for the agent.
It is important to know: the agent does not sign the power of attorney. Only the principal signs it. The agent does not even need to know that it exists, although in practice this is rarely the case.
Obligations and Contracts Act (ЗЗД)
Art. 36(1)
Official Bulgarian text
„Едно лице може да представлява друго по разпоредба на закона, по акт на съда или на друг държавен орган или по волята на представлявания.“
Types of power of attorney
There are three main types of power of attorney, and the choice depends on what you want to authorise someone to do.
| Feature | General | Specific (express) | For real estate |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | A wide range of actions | Only specifically named actions | Purchase, sale, donation of a property |
| When it is used | Long absence, running a business | A specific deal or procedure | Property deals |
| Notarial certification | Recommended, not always mandatory | Depends on the deal | Mandatory (signature + content) |
| Level of risk | High: gives many rights | Low: limited | Medium: protected by double certification |
| Recommendation | Avoid if possible | The safest option | The only option for properties |
Powers of attorney can also be time-limited (for a set period) or unlimited, one-off (for one specific deal) or repeated. For safety, always prefer a specific power of attorney with a fixed term.
Power of attorney by specific purpose
The type of power of attorney you choose depends on exactly what you need to authorise. Here are the most common situations, which type of power of attorney you need and the approximate price at a notary in 2026.
| Situation | Type of power of attorney | Notarial certification | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buying/selling a property | Specific, for real estate | Mandatory (signature + content) | BGN 30-60 |
| Selling a vehicle (МПС) | Specific, for disposal of a vehicle | Mandatory (signature + content) | BGN 16-30 |
| Driving a vehicle | Specific, for driving | Recommended (signature) | BGN 6-12 |
| Banking operations | Specific, for bank accounts | Mandatory (signature) | BGN 6-12 |
| National Revenue Agency (НАП) / National Social Security Institute (НОИ) enquiries | Specific, for particular enquiries | Recommended (signature) | BGN 6-12 |
| Receiving a parcel | Ordinary written | Not needed | BGN 0 |
The prices are indicative and include VAT. The exact amount depends on the number of pages and additional copies.
Ask Pravko and get an answer with citations from the law.
When is notarial certification needed?
The basic rule is simple: the form of the power of attorney must match the form required for the deal itself. If the deal requires notarial form, the power of attorney must also be notarially certified.
Obligations and Contracts Act (ЗЗД)
Art. 37
Official Bulgarian text
„Упълномощаването за сключване на договори, за които законът изисква особена форма, трябва да бъде дадено в съща форма.“
Three levels of certification
Ordinary (no notary)
For everyday actions: receiving a parcel, collecting a document from an institution, representation at a general meeting of a condominium (етажна собственост, ЕС)
Signature certification
For banking operations, insurance, pensions, НАП/НОИ enquiries. The notary certifies that you signed the document
Signature and content certification
For property deals and other notary deeds. The notary certifies both the signature and the content of the document
Information
How to get a power of attorney: step by step
The process is easier than most people expect. Here is what you need and what to do.
Process for getting a notarially certified power of attorney
Decide the type of power of attorney
Decide whether you need an ordinary, a specific or a property one. If you are not sure, explain to the notary what you want to authorise
Prepare the details
You will need your ID card and the full details of the agent: three names, personal ID number (ЕГН), address
Visit a notary
You can go to any notary. The notary will draw up or certify the text of the power of attorney
The notary certifies the document
You sign in front of the notary, who certifies your signature (and the content in property deals)
You receive the certified original
The power of attorney is valid only as an original. Also ask for a certified copy for your own records
What to bring to the notary
ID card (valid)*
Three names of the agent*
ЕГН of the agent*
Permanent address of the agent*
Description of the property (for property deals)
Notary deed or sketch
Description of the specific rights you are granting
The more precise, the safer
* Mandatory documents
How much does a power of attorney cost at a notary (2026)?
Notary fees for a power of attorney are fixed in the Tariff of Notary Fees. The price is the same at every notary in the country.
Ordinary power of attorney (signature certification only)
Signature certification (first)
Under the Tariff, item 5
~BGN 6
Signature certification (each further)(optional)
If more principals sign
~BGN 2
For an ordinary power of attorney in total: BGN 6-12.
Power of attorney for a property (signature + content + copy)
Signature certification
~BGN 6
Content certification
Under the Tariff, item 6
~BGN 10/page
Certified copy
Under the Tariff, item 2
~BGN 3/page
For a property power of attorney in total: BGN 30-60 (depends on the number of pages)
Want an exact calculation before visiting a notary? Work out the exact notary fees with our calculator: you enter the type of deal and get a breakdown by items of the Tariff.
Information
Free power of attorney templates
Before you go to a notary, save time by preparing the text in advance. Here are official free templates from state institutions that you can download, fill in and take to the notary.
Official templates to download
Choose a template according to the purpose of the power of attorney
Template from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A universal template for consular activities and general authorisation
Template from the State Portal (gov.bg)
Official template for general authorisation
Template from ИИСДА (State Agency)
A standard template for administrative services
Template from the State Fund Agriculture (СЕУ)
An approved template for administrative procedures before state bodies
Information
Ask Pravko and get an answer with citations from the law.
Revoking and terminating a power of attorney
A power of attorney can end in six ways: revocation by the principal, renunciation by the agent, expiry of the term, death of either party, placing under full guardianship (запрещение), or termination of a legal entity.
Caution
How to revoke a power of attorney
Visit the notary
If the power of attorney is notarially certified, visit a notary (not necessarily the same one)
Notify the institutions
If the power of attorney is for a bank, notify the bank first. For property powers of attorney, also notify the Registry Agency (Агенция по вписванията)
Notify the agent in writing
Send a written notice. This is the most important step: without it the agent’s actions remain valid
Sub-delegation (преупълномощаване): can the agent delegate?
The question often arises: if I authorise someone, can they in turn authorise a third person? The answer depends on what the power of attorney itself says.
Obligations and Contracts Act (ЗЗД)
Art. 43
Official Bulgarian text
„Пълномощникът може да преупълномощи другиго, ако е овластен за това или ако преупълномощаването е станало необходимо за запазване интересите на упълномощителя.“
That is, sub-delegation is possible only in two cases: (1) when the power of attorney expressly grants such a right, or (2) when it has become necessary to protect your interests (for example, in case of a sudden illness of the agent).
Caution
If you want to revoke a sub-delegation, you have two options: you can revoke only the sub-delegation (the agent keeps their rights) or revoke the entire original power of attorney (then the sub-delegation also falls away automatically). When revoking, notify both the agent and the sub-delegate in writing.
Information
What can NOT be done with a power of attorney?
Some actions are strictly personal and cannot be carried out through an agent. An attempt to delegate these actions is void.
Important
- Entering into or ending a marriage
- Voting in elections or a referendum
- Making a will
- Accepting or renouncing an inheritance
- Entering into an employment contract by the employee
- Acknowledging a child (припознаване) and adoption
5 mistakes people make with powers of attorney
Caution
It is risky if your relationship with the agent worsens. Always prefer a specific power of attorney with precisely described rights.
Caution
Always set a validity period. If the action is one-off, make the power of attorney one-off too.
Caution
Periodically check whether the agent is acting within the rights given to them. The responsibility is yours.
Caution
Especially in a separation, divorce or conflict. Revoke the power of attorney first, then decide the rest.
Caution
The power of attorney is valid ONLY as an original. A photocopy, even a notarially certified one, is not valid for most actions.
Frequently asked questions
Does the agent have to be present at the notary?
No. A power of attorney is a unilateral act. Only the principal signs and is present at the notary. The agent receives the finished document afterwards.
How long is a power of attorney valid?
It depends on what is written in the document itself. It can be for a specific period (for example 6 months), until a particular action is carried out, unlimited, or until it is revoked. If no period is stated, the power of attorney is valid until it is revoked.
Can a power of attorney be made without a notary?
Yes, for actions that do not require notarial form. For example, for receiving a parcel, collecting a document or representation at a general meeting. Simply write it, sign it and give it to the agent.
Can a power of attorney be sent by email?
Only for actions with no requirement for notarial certification. A notarially certified power of attorney must be an original on paper. A scanned or photographed power of attorney is usually not accepted.
What is the difference between a general and a specific power of attorney?
A general one gives broad rights for many actions. A specific one authorises only for named actions. For safety, always prefer a specific power of attorney.
⚠️ Important
Pravko provides legal information, but it does not replace advice from a lawyer. For important legal matters, consult a licensed lawyer.
