Paying Utility Bills in Bulgaria After Buying a Home

After closing a property purchase before a notary and receiving the title deed (notary act), the new owner enters the next practical phase: settling utility accounts. Transferring accounts for electricity, water, heating, and telecommunications is an essential step that ensures you will not be liable for the previous owner's outstanding debts and protects your home against unexpected disconnections.

For Maxon clients, we have compiled a comprehensive guide outlining regional utility providers, required documentation, deadlines, and convenient payment methods.

1. Key Utility Providers by Region

In Bulgaria, the domestic utilities market is organized geographically regarding electricity distribution, water supply, and district heating networks.

Electricity Distribution and Supply

The country is divided into three primary service territories for household consumers:

• Electrohold (formerly CEZ) – serves Western Bulgaria, including the capital Sofia, Sofia Province, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik, Pleven, Lovech, Vratsa, Montana, and Vidin.
• EVN – operates across Southeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria, covering regions such as Plovdiv, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Sliven, Yambol, Kardzhali, and Smolyan.
• ENERGO-PRO – serves Northeastern and parts of Northern Bulgaria, including Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Dobrich, Shumen, Targovishte, Razgrad, Silistra, and Gabrovo.

Water Supply and Sewerage (ViK)

Water supply is managed by regional water and sewerage utility companies (known locally as ViK). In most instances, each administrative district has its own operating company. Major regional providers include:

• Sofiyska Voda – serving the territory of Sofia Municipality.
• ViK Varna – covering the city and region of Varna.
• ViK Burgas – operating across the southern Black Sea coast and Burgas region.
• Respective regional operators for other districts (such as ViK Plovdiv, ViK Stara Zagora, etc.).

District Heating and Gas Supply

Central heating and domestic hot water are supplied by municipal district heating utilities in select major cities, the largest being Toplofikatsiya Sofia, alongside municipal providers in Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Pleven, and others. Metering of actual consumption in condominium buildings is typically handled in conjunction with heat cost allocation firms (heat accountants).

For properties connected to the natural gas grid, an individual supply contract must be entered into with the licensed regional gas distribution operator.

Internet and Television

Telecommunications services operate in a fully competitive open market. Existing contracts do not transfer automatically from the seller. The new owner must set up a new agreement with their preferred national or local provider for fiber-optic internet and television.

2. Transferring Utility Accounts: Deadlines, Documents, and Procedure

Following the completion of the sale, the recommended timeframe for submitting transfer applications to update account holder records is generally within 30 days of acquiring the property.

Required Documentation

For most service providers, the standard submission package includes:

• Proof of Ownership – a copy alongside the original registered notary act for verification.
• Identification Document – valid ID card or passport.
• Handover Protocol – a mutually signed document between buyer and seller specifying the handover date and exact readings of all utility meters (electricity, cold and hot water meters, heating allocators).
• Power of Attorney – if filing through an authorized third party, a notarized power of attorney is required. Legal formal requirements for its scope should be verified with a lawyer.
• Standard Application Form provided by the respective utility company.

Electricity Details

Electricity distribution companies process the change of account holder free of charge. Applications can be submitted at a local customer service center or online where available (frequently requiring a Qualified Electronic Signature – QES). You will need the previous subscriber's customer number or the precise measuring point identification code.

Water Supply Details

When visiting the local water utility, ensure you have the previous owner's customer number, meter serial numbers, lead seal numbers, and current readings (clear photos taken with a smartphone are strongly recommended). With some providers, such as Sofiyska Voda, observing the 30-day deadline from acquisition is particularly important, as missing this window may result in the transfer service incurring an administrative fee under the utility's current tariff.

District Heating Details

For properties served by central heating, transfers must be registered with both the municipal district heating utility and the building's appointed heat allocation firm. Provide a copy of the handover protocol showing the baseline meter readings from the radiators or thermal allocators to ensure clear separation between the seller's and buyer's consumption during the annual reconciliation statement.

3. Account Numbers and Identifiers for Bill Payment

To settle one-time or recurring balances, you will need specific identification numbers found on utility contracts and monthly statements:

• Customer / Subscriber Number (Klientski / Abonaten nomer) – a unique account code assigned by the utility linking the account holder to consumption billing.
• ITN (Measurement Point Identifier) – a 10-digit code specific to electricity connections. Usually located in the top-right section of electricity statements, it identifies the exact physical meter installation.
• Water Meter Serial Number – alongside the customer number, knowing the serial numbers of individual cold and hot water meters is necessary, particularly when submitting self-readings.

4. Methods for Paying Utility Bills

Bulgaria offers a comprehensive array of payment channels, ranging from over-the-counter payments to fully automated digital solutions.

• Utility Online Portals – most major operators run dedicated self-service portals (such as EVN Online Plus). Registration requires your customer number and an email address, allowing fee-free credit or debit card payments.
• Dedicated Payment Platforms – platforms such as ePay.bg allow you to consolidate your utility reference numbers for power, water, and heating in one dashboard, receiving automated bill notifications with one-click payment options.
• Physical Payment Desks – nationwide retail payment chains such as EasyPay, FastPay, and Bulgarian Posts offices offer fast over-the-counter payments. Presenting your customer number or an old invoice is sufficient.
• ATMs via B-Pay – many Bulgarian ATMs feature a "Bill Payment" or B-Pay option, allowing cardholders to clear utility invoices by entering the provider code and subscriber number.
• Online and Mobile Banking – virtually every commercial bank in Bulgaria includes a dedicated "Utility Payments" section in its mobile app. You can save your customer numbers as templates or set up scheduled recurring payments.

Important Notice Regarding Direct Debit: According to information published by the electricity distribution operator EVN, Bulgarian banks are discontinuing the direct debit utility payment service as of January 2026. We recommend consulting directly with your bank regarding available automated payment alternatives (such as automatic bill clearance configured directly inside your mobile or online banking portal).

5. Practical Guidance for International Owners

If you are acquiring a holiday home, seasonal residence, or buy-to-let investment and do not reside in Bulgaria year-round, managing running costs effectively requires planning:

• Opt for Electronic Invoicing (e-invoicing) – cancel paper statements delivered to the property's physical mailbox and switch to electronic bills sent directly to your email.
• Enable SMS and Email Alerts – stay informed about exact bill amounts and payment due dates immediately upon invoice generation.
• Set Up Automatic Card Payments – linking a Bulgarian or international payment card ensures bills are settled promptly, avoiding the risk of service interruption.
• Appoint a Representative or Property Manager – if you are unable to handle post-closing paperwork in person, you can authorize a lawyer or engage a professional property management company to complete account transfers, monitor sub-meters, and supervise periodic readings.

Post-Purchase Checklist

1. Photograph All Meters: On key handover day, take clear photographs of the readings and serial numbers of the electricity meter, water meters, and heating allocators.
2. Sign the Handover Protocol: Verify that the seller signs the recorded meter readings, and retain an original copy.
3. Collect Previous Paid Invoices: Request settlement receipts from the previous owner to confirm there are no outstanding historic balances.
4. Submit Electricity and Water Applications Within 30 Days: Visit local service centers or apply online using your title deed.
5. Notify District Heating and Building Management: Register with the building's heat allocation firm and the condominium manager to establish accurate contribution quotas for shared communal areas.
6. Contract Internet Services: Select a suitable service plan for your needs and arrange technical installation access.
7. Organize Ongoing Payments: Link your account reference numbers to online banking or an online payment portal to track upcoming bills smoothly.