Bulgaria: housing

How much have house prices risen in Bulgaria?

House prices in Bulgaria were 15.5% higher in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). They rose 4.5% on the first quarter. Among the largest cities, the quarterly rise was highest in Plovdiv (5.8%), followed by Stara Zagora (2.9%), Varna (2.8%) and Sofia (2.4%); prices fell 1.5% in Burgas.

The house price index measures changes in the prices of dwellings, not the average price of a home. The NSI publishes it every quarter, with figures for the six largest cities.

Official sources: NSI: housing price statistics, Q2 2026

How many new homes are being built in Bulgaria?

Municipal authorities in Bulgaria issued building permits for 2,216 residential buildings with 11,499 dwellings in the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Compared with a year earlier, permits for residential buildings rose 8.2% and dwellings 14.0%.

Permits show planned building, not finished homes. Most dwellings were planned in Sofia (capital) with 2,878, Plovdiv with 1,941 and Burgas with 1,660. Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the number of permitted dwellings fell 15.2%.

Official sources: NSI: building permits and construction started, Q2 2026

What share of Bulgaria is urban?

74.2%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 69.6%, and Bulgaria placed 21st highest of 52. Worldwide: 60th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Bulgaria?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Bulgaria at 0.2% in 2022. Its high point since 2006 was 2020, at 0.2%; its low point was 2006, at 0.1%. It is 24th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.3%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 142nd highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Bulgaria?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in Bulgaria was 100.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What is access to safe water in Bulgaria?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 96.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 97.0%; its low point was 2005, at 92.3%. It is 28th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 96.7%. World rank, highest first: 40th of 134.

How many people in Bulgaria have a safe toilet?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 75.7%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 90.2%; Bulgaria is 35th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 134.

What share of homes in Bulgaria cook with clean fuels?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Bulgaria was 98.0%, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 99.0%; Bulgaria is 30th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 63rd highest.