The Sofia Municipal Council adopted today the increase in the building permit fee, which is the first decisive step towards reducing overbuilding in the capital. “It is good that this fair and long-delayed update of the fees for technical services provided by the Sofia Municipality was adopted by a wide majority”, said Boris Bonev, leader of "Save Sofia". The decision provides for the introduction of new, cost-oriented prices, taking into account real administrative costs and inflation over the last 19 years.
The fees have not been changed since 2006, despite the sharp increase in labor, energy, digitalization and expertise costs. “The proposal includes the official inflation index of 98.6% or a double increase for the period 2007-2025, and introduces new services that have been provided free of charge so far. For example, for a building permit, the fee will vary between 7.50 and 27.50 BGN/sq m – less than 1% of the average market value of properties in Sofia per sq m. With the decision, we are not hindering investments, but we are introducing greater fairness”, said arch. Rositsa Nikolova, municipal councilor from "Save Sofia".
“There are no more bonuses from the Sofia Municipality to construction investors. The new fees reflect their fairer participation in the construction of public infrastructure. An additional 30 million BGN. will be included in the municipal budget annually, with which the problems in the neighborhoods can be solved.
"Save Sofia" calls on business to be responsible for the public interest and not to try to hinder the decision adopted by the council. “The municipality must be ready to conduct a legal battle with the investors, but the fee must be categorically increased. It remains many times lower than similar fees in neighboring Balkan capitals and cities", say the municipal councilors.
“This is not an initiative against business – this is a fair initiative in favor of the city. Predictability and a quality environment are the best investment framework“, said Bonev. He thanked all municipal councilors, regardless of their political affiliation, for their support and noted that the Sofia Municipal Council has yet to adopt important and long-delayed reforms that will improve and organize life in Sofia.
Detailed statistics on average property prices in Bulgaria by city and neighborhood can be seen HERE