Checking an Inheritance in Bulgaria — How to Verify Assets and Debts (2026)

Why You Must Check Before Accepting an Inheritance

Accepting an inheritance in Bulgaria is irrevocable — once accepted, heirs are liable for all of the deceased's obligations, including loans, tax debts and private liabilities. It is therefore critical to establish the full picture before making a decision.

Important: Making inquiries and conducting checks does not constitute acceptance of the inheritance. The law (Art. 49(2) of the Inheritance Act) expressly provides that actions aimed at preserving and managing the estate do not amount to tacit acceptance. You are free to investigate the assets and debts without being bound.

Heirs have a three-month period from learning of the opening of the inheritance, during which the district court may summon them to declare whether they accept or renounce. If an heir fails to respond, they forfeit the right to accept. For this reason, it is advisable to conduct the checks quickly and in an organised manner.

Step 0: Certificate of Heirs

Before any checks, you need a certificate of heirs (udostoverenie za naslednitsi) — a document proving who is entitled to the inheritance and in what shares. It is issued by the municipality of the deceased's permanent address.

Required Documents

• Standard application form (available on-site or on the municipality's website)
• Death certificate — original or certified copy
• Applicant's identity document (the heir)

Timeframe and Fee

The standard service takes up to 7 business days; the express service up to 3 days. The fee ranges from BGN 5 to BGN 15 depending on the municipality and the type of service (standard/express).

Obtaining a certificate of heirs does NOT mean accepting the inheritance. The document serves solely to certify inheritance rights and is required for each of the subsequent checks.

1. Checking Real Estate

The check for immovable property is carried out at the Registration Service (Sluzhba po vpisvaniyata, part of the Registry Agency) for the district where the property is located. If the deceased owned property in different districts, a separate inquiry must be made at each relevant office.

What the Check Reveals

• Ownership — notarial deeds for purchase, donation, exchange
• Mortgages — registered mortgages in favour of banks or private creditors
• Seizures (vazbrany) — imposed by enforcement officers or tax authorities
• Pending litigation — registered claims relating to the property

How to Request the Check

You submit an application for a certificate of encumbrances (or ownership), attaching the certificate of heirs. The fee is set by the Tariff of State Fees collected by the Registry Agency.

New regulation from 15 January 2026: Amendments to the Inscription Rules have restricted access to copies of notarial deeds for persons other than the parties to the transaction. Heirs, however, retain the right of access since they succeed to the rights of the deceased.

2. Checking Vehicles

The check for registered motor vehicles is carried out through the Traffic Police (KAT) at the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior for the deceased's permanent address.

What the Check Reveals

• Cars, motorcycles, trailers and other vehicles registered in the deceased's name
• Seizures imposed by creditors or enforcement officers on the vehicles
• Technical details — make, model, year, registration number

The check requires a certificate of heirs and an identity document. It can also be carried out by an authorised lawyer with a notarised power of attorney.

3. Checking Bank Deposits and Loans

The central point for this check is the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), which maintains the Central Credit Register. Through an inquiry, heirs can obtain summary information on the deceased's liabilities and deposits across all banks in the country.

What the Check Reveals

• Deposits and current accounts — existence of funds across all banks
• Loans — consumer loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, overdrafts
• Arrears — information on overdue payments and loans declared early due

Additional Check at a Specific Bank

If detailed information is needed (exact balances, loan terms), the heir may also approach individual banks with the certificate of heirs. Banks are obliged to provide the information.

4. Checking Enforcement Proceedings

This check is of critical importance as it reveals both debts owed by the deceased and receivables owed to the deceased. Two separate inquiries are required:

4.1. Private Enforcement Officers (PEOs)

The inquiry is made through the register of the Chamber of Private Enforcement Officers (CPEO). Any PEO can issue a certificate confirming whether there are pending enforcement cases against (or in favour of) the deceased. The application can be submitted to any PEO regardless of their district.

4.2. State Enforcement Officers (SEOs)

The inquiry for cases with a state enforcement officer is made at the district court of the deceased's permanent address. This check is separate from the PEO check — the two registers are not interconnected.

Practical note: Many heirs overlook the SEO check, which can lead to unpleasant surprises. We recommend always conducting both checks.

5. Checking Company Shares and Participations

If the deceased was an owner or partner in a commercial company, this information is relevant both for valuing the estate and for identifying potential liabilities.

Where to Check

• Commercial Register and Register of Non-Profit Legal Entities (Registry Agency) — free online search at portal.registryagency.bg for participations in EOOD, OOD, AD, etc.
• BULSTAT Register — for participations in civil partnerships and self-employed activities

Why It Matters

Company shares can have substantial value but may also conceal liabilities. When inheriting shares in an OOD, heirs do not automatically become partners — they acquire the right to the value of the shares, unless the articles of association provide otherwise.

6. Checking Securities

For shares, bonds and other financial instruments registered in the deceased's name, the inquiry is made at the Central Depository AD.

• Shares — from privatisation, public companies or private issues
• Bonds — corporate or government
• Compensatory instruments — if not yet realised

An application is submitted together with the certificate of heirs. Many citizens are unaware that the deceased held shares from the mass privatisation programme, making this check particularly useful.

7. Checking Tax and Social Security Debts

Tax liabilities are among the most common unexpected debts in an estate. The check covers two main authorities:

National Revenue Agency (NRA)

• Personal income tax
• Corporate income tax — if the deceased was a sole trader
• VAT obligations — if the deceased was VAT-registered
• Social security contributions — if the deceased was self-insured

Municipality of Permanent Address (and Property Locations)

• Real estate tax and waste collection fee
• Vehicle tax
• Patent tax — if applicable

Note: If the deceased owned property in different municipalities, a separate check must be made in each municipality, as local tax obligations are administered locally.

Decision: Accept, Renounce or Accept by Inventory

After completing all checks, the heir must make an informed decision. Bulgarian inheritance law offers three options:

Practical Tips

• If the estate includes a business or multiple assets with unclear liabilities, acceptance by inventory is the safest option
• Tacit acceptance occurs through actions that unequivocally demonstrate an intention to accept — e.g. disposing of estate assets (sale, donation)
• When selling an inheritance, the buyer assumes the debts, but the seller (heir) remains jointly liable
• If a European Certificate of Succession is needed, the checks are a necessary prerequisite

Frequently Asked Questions