Buying property in a child's name in Bulgaria

A Bulgarian property may be acquired in a child's name, but the child then owns it, not the parent who pays. Parents represent the child and manage the asset in the child's interest. A later sale, mortgage or other disposition is not an ordinary parental decision and may require district-court authorisation.

Either parent may represent a young child or consent to an older minor's legal acts where acting in the child's interest. A special representative is appointed where the parent's and child's interests conflict. Family Code, Article 129, Bulgarian text

Sources were checked on 21 August 2026. A Bulgarian lawyer should review the acquisition, source of money, representation and finance before a preliminary contract.

You pay, but the child owns

The deed determines the owner. If the child buys, the parents cannot later treat the home as their own merely because they funded it. They must manage the child's property in the child's interest and with prudent care. Family Code, Article 130(1)

Document the source and legal character of the purchase money. A gift, inheritance, family savings and a loan raise different issues. Conflict review is particularly important where a parent appears on both sides of the transaction.

A later sale is not freely controlled by the parent

Disposition of real estate already belonging to the child requires authorisation from the district court at the child's current address and must not conflict with the child's interest. Family Code, Article 130(3) The property is not necessarily unsellable until age 18. The court assesses the proposed transaction.

Do not treat approval as a formality. Price, need, use of proceeds and alternatives may matter. If the family expects to move again within a few years, discuss that scenario before acquisition.

Mortgage finance is a separate problem

The Family Code restricts a child's borrowing and security for another person's debt, subject to a narrow court-authorised exception. Article 130(4) Mortgage funding is therefore materially more complex than a cash purchase.

Do not assume a lender will always accept or reject the structure. Obtain its written position before paying a deposit. A lawyer must separately review whether the proposed security is lawful and whose debt it secures.

When can the structure make sense?

It may suit a long-term intention for the asset to belong to the child and be protected from casual disposal. The trade-off is flexibility. Parents cannot simply sell, mortgage or redirect the value when plans change.

Compare lawful alternatives, including parental ownership followed by later transfer, gift or succession planning. There is no universal best structure. It must fit the time horizon, finance and family risks.

Frequently asked questions

Is court permission automatically required to buy?

Do not assume so. Article 130(3) concerns disposition of property already owned by the child. The acquisition and representation still need legal and notarial review.

Can the property be sold before age 18?

Potentially, with authorisation from the competent district court where the transaction satisfies the child's-interest test.

Can a parent receive rent?

Parents manage the property in the child's interest. Tax and accounting treatment of income needs separate advice.

Verified primary sources

• Ministry of Justice: Family Code, Articles 129 and 130, Bulgarian
• Tsarevo District Court: official Article 130 procedure example, Bulgarian

View Magnolia apartments after independent Bulgarian legal advice on the ownership structure.