Yes, in Bulgaria, hosts of short-term rentals are generally required to register guest information with national authorities to operate legally. This process involves several steps:

1. Registration with OP Tourism: Hosts must register their property as a tourist accommodation with OP Tourism in Bulgaria. This registration categorizes the property for short-term rental use.
2. Monthly Reporting via the Online Guest Entry System: Once registered, hosts are required to report guest information (such as the number of guests by country) monthly via OP Tourism's online system. This report is generally due by the 15th of each month, and the system automatically calculates the tourist tax based on this information.
3. Paper Guestbook: Additionally, hosts must keep a physical record of guest information in a "guestbook" under Article 116, which is intended for record-keeping and potential inspections.

Yes, hosts in Bulgaria do need certain permissions when operating short-term rentals:

1. Landlord Consent: If the host does not own the property, a copy of the property use document (such as a lease agreement) must be provided during the registration process. This implies that the landlord's consent is essential, especially for non-owners.
2. Neighbor Consent: The registration document specifically states that neighbor consent is required, which means obtaining permission from neighbors is part of the compliance process. This is particularly relevant in multi-unit buildings where shared living spaces might be impacted by short-term rentals.
3. Local Municipality Approval: Hosts must register the property with the local municipality, categorizing it as a Class "B" accommodation. This includes submitting an application along with required documentation and a fee of approximately 20 BGN per bed..

In Bulgaria, short-term rental income from platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com is subject to income tax, VAT, and potentially patent tax:

1. Income Tax: Rental income is taxed at a flat rate of 10%. Income from Airbnb or Booking.com is treated as small hotel business revenue, requiring registration as a sole trader and adherence to the Local Taxes and Fees Act and Tourism Act. This includes contributions to social security, health, and pension insurance. Payments as specified by the National Revenue Agency (NRA).
2. VAT: Rentals exceeding a certain turnover threshold may incur VAT, typically at 9% or 20% depending on the type of accommodation. Hosts using foreign platforms must register for VAT per Article 97a of the VAT Act and submit monthly VAT returns
3. Patent tax: Paid to the local municipality for certain short-term rental properties categorized as tourist facilities under the Tourism Act. Hosts must file a Declaration for Patent Taxation by January 31 each year with the municipality where the property is located, and the tax is then paid in four installments throughout the year. The amount is determined by the specific municipality.
4. Exemptions and Thresholds: Income tax applies universally at a flat rate, with no progressive scale. Hosts below certain turnover thresholds might avoid VAT registration or specific obligations.
5. Compliance: Hosts must maintain accurate records, file tax returns quarterly or annually and fulfill VAT obligations if registered. Foreign hosts may also need to consider double taxation treaties.

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Yes, in Bulgaria, hosts are required to collect a tourist tax from guests for short-term rentals. This tax, which varies by location e.g. BGN 0.70 per night in Bansko, BGN 0.40 in Sofia, Nessebar, Obzor, Sunny Beach, and Ravda: BGN 0.45 per nigh which is added to guest charges and supports local tourism-related infrastructure. However, hosts do not contribute directly to national tourism boards or funds through this tax. Instead, they remit the collected tourist tax to local municipal authorities.

Yes, in Bulgaria, hosts of short-term rentals are generally required to register guest information with national authorities to operate legally. This process involves several steps:

1. Registration with OP Tourism: Hosts must register their property as a tourist accommodation with OP Tourism in Bulgaria. This registration categorizes the property for short-term rental use.
2. Monthly Reporting via the Online Guest Entry System: Once registered, hosts are required to report guest information (such as the number of guests by country) monthly via OP Tourism's online system. This report is generally due by the 15th of each month, and the system automatically calculates the tourist tax based on this information.
3. Paper Guestbook: Additionally, hosts must keep a physical record of guest information in a "guestbook" under Article 116, which is intended for record-keeping and potential inspections.

Yes, there is national health and safety regulations host must for in other to operate short-term rentals in Bulgaria. The country has specific requirements focused on the health, safety, and well-being of guests. These often include standards related to fire safety, cleanliness, building accessibility, and guest emergency protocols. Hosts may need to meet specific building codes and ensure compliance with local health guidelines. Some municipalities also require hosts to conduct regular safety inspections and provide adequate emergency contact information to guests.

Yes, online platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com are required to ensure that short-term rental listings comply with Bulgarian national laws, primarily under the Tourism Act. This regulation mandates that all short-term rental properties must be registered and categorized, similar to hotels, to ensure legal operation. Platforms are expected to support this compliance by verifying host registration and sharing relevant data with local authorities to help monitor and enforce these requirements. This data-sharing responsibility aligns with broader EU directives like the Digital Services Act (DSA), which stipulates that platforms must maintain transparency and follow local laws.

Yes, Bulgaria has anti-discrimination protections that apply to short-term rentals, grounded in its Protection Against Discrimination Act. This law prohibits discrimination based on various grounds, including ethnicity, race, gender, and other protected characteristics, and it applies to the provision of goods and services, including rental housing. Under this law, hosts and platforms are legally required to ensure equal treatment and prevent discriminatory practices, whether direct or indirect, against potential renters.

Yes, there is data sharing requirements. In 2023, Bulgaria and other EU countries introduced regulations requiring short-term rental (STR) platforms to share booking, host identity, and property details with national authorities. This measure, designed to improve transparency and local management, builds on the European Digital Services Act, promoting STR accountability and combating illegal listings. Each EU member state will implement data-sharing mechanisms within 24 months to support these requirements, including accommodations for smaller STR operators. This aligns Bulgaria's STR regulations with EU standards for a more organized and compliant rental market.

While insurance isn’t a national requirement, hosts are encouraged to consider liability insurance to protect against potential damages or guest incidents. Additionally, some hosting platforms, like Airbnb, provide optional liability insurance under programs like AirCover, which can offer basic coverage against third-party claims for property damage or personal injury.

Bulgaria's Cultural Heritage Act and related laws provide protections for culturally and historically significant areas from the effects of short-term rentals and other commercial activities. Key measures include:

1. Conservation and Management Plans: Enacted by the Council of Ministers, these plans include restrictions on commercial activities, such as short-term rentals, to safeguard the cultural and historical integrity of certain areas.
2. National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage: This body oversees cultural preservation by assessing properties, creating conservation plans, and managing a registry of protected sites. It may restrict or regulate short-term rentals in sensitive heritage areas.
3. Municipal Regulation: Local councils establish strategies and may apply restrictions on short-term rentals to align with cultural preservation objectives within protected areas.
4. International Conventions: Bulgaria follows conventions like the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, reinforcing commitments to cultural preservation, including controls on commercial rentals in historic locations.

These frameworks collectively help Bulgaria manage the cultural impact of tourism in its significant heritage sites.

Bulgaria's Executive Environment Agency (EEA) enforces general environmental standards that impact sectors, including tourism and rentals, though there are no specific sustainability mandates for short-term rentals. These standards cover air quality, waste management, water use, and emissions, supporting a cleaner environment in line with EU goals. Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb encourage eco-friendly practices that align with national sustainability efforts.

Bulgaria has tenant protection laws that offer long-term tenants some defense against being evicted to make way for short-term rentals. These protections generally fall under the Law on Obligations and Contracts (ZZD), which governs landlord-tenant relationships and outlines tenants' rights to fair treatment and privacy.

Key protections include:

1. Right to Peaceful Enjoyment: Tenants have a right to enjoy their rental property without interference from the landlord, who is obligated to ensure peaceful occupancy.
2. Fixed-Term Lease Protections: For leases of a set term, landlords cannot evict tenants without cause, preserving stability for tenants who have agreed to a long-term lease.
3. Right to Notice: If a landlord decides to terminate a lease, tenants are generally entitled to advance notice unless there is a significant breach of lease terms.

Tenants may also seek legal redress if they believe they are being wrongfully evicted to prioritize short-term rentals.

Yes there is, according to the Bulgarian immigration laws, short-term rental hosts accommodating foreign guests are generally required to report these guests to national immigration authorities. Hosts must:

1. Register Guests: Within five days of arrival, hosts are obligated to register non-EU/EEA/Swiss guests with local immigration authorities, including details like the guest's name, passport number, and stay duration.

This process is part of Bulgaria’s efforts to monitor foreign visitors and comply with immigration regulations.

Yes there is digital platform regulation compliance in Bulgaria, Under new 2023 EU regulations, short-term rental (STR) platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com must verify that listed properties comply with local and national regulations before listing them. This framework also requires platforms to share host and listing details with national authorities to ensure regulatory alignment. Bulgaria, as an EU member, follows these rules, and STR platforms collaborate with Bulgarian authorities to confirm property compliance prior to listing.

In Bulgaria, short-term rental contracts must comply with consumer protection standards under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), ensuring transparency and fair treatment for guests. Contracts should specify terms such as pricing, services, and any extra fees to prevent misleading practices. Proposed amendments in 2024 further aim to enhance consumer rights in online marketplaces and strengthen transparency and dispute resolution measures. The Consumer Protection Commission, under the Ministry of Economy, enforces these standards, providing a secure framework for fair rental agreements.

In Bulgaria, non-resident owners of short-term rental properties must meet specific regulatory requirements, primarily focusing on residency, reporting, and tax compliance.

1. Residency and Reporting: The Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act mandates that non-resident property owners who generate income locally register with the Migration Directorate if they spend extended periods in Bulgaria. Additionally, non-resident property managers may need to designate a local representative to handle regulatory compliance and reporting.
2. Tax Obligations: Non-resident owners are subject to withholding tax on rental income earned from Bulgarian properties. They may also need to file an annual tax return, with tax rates and obligations varying based on their country of residence (EU or non-EU).

These measures ensure compliance with consumer protection standards, tax contributions, and transparency in Bulgaria's rental market.

Typically, there is no specific national classification exclusively for STRs; rather, they are generally treated similarly to long-term rentals which falls under Hotel classification for the purpose of tax.

During national events or holidays in Bulgaria, municipalities may impose additional regulations to manage tourism effectively. These can include curfews in high-traffic areas to minimize nighttime disturbances, stricter ID verification for security, enhanced noise restrictions, particularly in residential or historical areas, and temporary limits on the maximum length of stay to control visitor influx. Regulations vary by event and location, aiming to balance visitor management with community interests.

In Bulgaria, non-compliance with national short-term rental regulations, such as operating without the required permit, can result in several penalties: 1. Fines: Operating without a permit or registration can result in fines typically ranging from BGN 500 to BGN 5,000, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation. For example, an initial violation might incur a fine of around BGN 500, while repeated violations can increase the fine up to BGN 5,000. 2. Legal Action: If short-term rental operators fail to comply with tax obligations or registration requirements, authorities may initiate legal action, which could include more severe penalties or sanctions, especially if the violation is continuous or involves fraudulent activities. 3. Operational Disruptions: Regulatory bodies have the authority to suspend or halt rental operations if the property lacks necessary permits. 4. Reputation Damage: Non-compliance can result in negative listings or public records of violations, potentially harming the reputation of the operator.