Registering a vessel in the Republic of Bulgaria

Vessels in Bulgaria are registered with the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration”.

Under Ordinance No. 1 of 10 January 2003 on entries in the register of ships, all vessels with engines exceeding 20 hp (15 kW) must be registered, regardless of length. Boats longer than 4.57 m (15 feet) must also be registered regardless of engine power.

Order No. 68 of 27 June 2011 of the Maritime Administration under the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications sets out the registration conditions: navigation areas, permission to navigate in a particular area, and the navigational and life-saving equipment the vessel must carry. Fees are governed by the Ministry’s Tariff No. 5 for the Maritime Administration.

The name, model and serial numbers of the hull, engine or engines and reduction gear systems must be properly specified.

The documents required for registration depend on how the vessel was acquired. The acquisition document (a notarised sale and purchase agreement) and/or an invoice for the payment made must be presented. If the vessel was acquired abroad, a document certifying its removal from the relevant country’s ship register must be available. If the vessel was purchased from a country outside the European Union, an import customs declaration must also be submitted.

This article is not a legal opinion or advice about a particular situation or person. The author makes no claim to cover vessel registration with the Maritime Administration exhaustively. For legal assistance with a similar case, consult a lawyer practising in maritime law.