Everything we need to know when registering a vehicle

Vehicle registration is a necessary step for every new owner. Whether you're buying a new or used car, registration with the Traffic Police (KAT), payment of fees, and document submission are inevitable. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about vehicle registration – from the initial steps to common mistakes.

1. Registration of a New Car

Buying a new car is a dream come true for every driver. Whether it's a brand-new car or an imported one, there are mandatory procedures that follow. Before purchasing a vehicle, we advise you to conduct thorough research—brands, models, prices, advantages, disadvantages, and subsequent costs.

If you're feeling uncertain about your choice, there are experts who can assist you. They will help with finding and selecting a car, narrow down the most suitable offers for you, and guide you through inspections and negotiations with sellers. Last but not least, they will also take care of the vehicle registration, saving you time and effort.

It is important to note that, in most cases, all costs associated with transferring the vehicle are covered by the buyer.

Before heading to the Traffic Police (KAT) to register your car, you need to have a valid "Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance." This insurance is mandatory by law for every vehicle owner registering a car in Bulgaria.

The insurance covers your responsibility as a driver/owner for any damages caused to third parties while driving or parking. To get the "Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance," you must provide the insurance company with a Sales Agreement.

If you purchased a car as an import from abroad or from a car dealership, you should be aware that it will come without license plates. Registration with KAT is necessary. In addition to the "Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance," you also need to pay an Eco fee, which is paid once during the vehicle registration. The collected funds from eco fees are invested in "projects related to the environment and water."

It is necessary, when registering a vehicle, to also have an emergency kit—first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, and vest.

Once you have prepared all the required documents, a detailed technical inspection of the vehicle is carried out, a certificate of registration (large and small sticker) is issued, and you will receive license plates.

2. Re-registration of a Vehicle

When acquiring a vehicle with valid Bulgarian registration, you need to perform a re-registration. The transaction between the seller and the buyer must be formalized before a notary public with a sales agreement, and the signatures must be notarized. The notary should require and verify the following documents:

• Personal documents and documents of the vehicle
• Paid vehicle tax
• "Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance"
• Valid technical inspection of the vehicle
• Liens and civil status of both parties
• It is important to know that the lack of insurance or a technical inspection is not a reason for the transaction to be invalid. This information is necessary for the new owner, as they will need to cover these expenses.

Once the transaction is formalized with the notary, the new owner must visit the insurance company office to issue Annexes for ownership transfer. This must happen within 7 days from the date of purchase. If there is a "Comprehensive Insurance" (Casco) policy, a vehicle inspection is required. For most insurers, there is no charge for issuing the Annexes for ownership transfer, except in cases where the vehicle’s purpose is changing (e.g., to be used as a taxi) or if the age of the new owner requires an increased insurance premium.

After the vehicle transfer, the buyer must complete registration at the Traffic Police. Within 1 month, it is necessary to submit an application at the Traffic Police (KAT) for the issuance of a new registration certificate with the buyer's name.

When the buyer and the seller are from different administrative regions, the new owner can choose whether to change the registration number. However, the vehicle is subject to mandatory identification, which is carried out at the registration office.

According to the law, if the owner does not register the vehicle within 2 months after the transfer, the registration will be automatically canceled. The registration numbers become invalid. To restore the registration, a new application must be submitted, after which new license plates and a registration certificate will be issued.

3. List of All Necessary Documents

After purchasing a vehicle, whether new or used, you need to take care of several administrative steps, which are mandatory. The procedures for registration, tax payments, insurance, and fees can be time-consuming and may require more time than expected. However, they are an essential part of officially transferring ownership of the vehicle.

Additionally, the financial burden can be significant, as it includes not only one-time fees but also annual maintenance costs for the vehicle. Nonetheless, each step is crucial to ensure that the vehicle is legally registered and ready for use.