Receiving clients in a Bulgarian apartment may require change-of-use approval and consents, even without building works.
Registering a company at an apartment’s address does not make it an authorised office receiving visitors. Check the actual activity, approved building use, floor, access and requirements for that particular premises.
Article 38(3) of the Spatial Development Act addresses conversion of a home into a healthcare consulting room, office or individual creative studio involving outside visitors. For the first or semi-basement floor, it imposes technical requirements and express notarised written consent from all owners of immediately neighbouring dwellings. Other above-ground floors involve an exceptional route requiring an owners’ meeting resolution and the relevant consents.
A shop or another service business is not automatically equivalent to an office: the applicable case may require a separate entrance and additional conditions. Computer work at home without visitors should likewise not automatically be treated as a publicly accessible consulting room.
Article 147a provides for change-of-use permission without construction works where statutory conditions and positive opinions from competent authorities are satisfied. Where works are planned, check the corresponding design and permit procedure.
Neighbours’ consent does not replace permission, and planning permission does not replace special requirements governing a regulated profession. Before committing to a long lease or fitting out the premises, establish whether the proposed operation is feasible.
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This article is for general information only. It does not constitute or replace individual legal advice.