Can I build a private shelter in Bulgaria? Rules and permits

Short answer. Yes. Bulgaria's Disaster Protection Act recognises privately owned collective protection means, maintained and managed by their owners ¹. Building one outside the mandatory cases is at the investor's discretion, but design, building permit and commissioning follow the Spatial Development Act, with a positive opinion from GDPBZN on the state acceptance commission ². We found no separate procedure for a small family shelter.

What does the law say about private shelters?

The Disaster Protection Act, art. 12(3)-(5), states: "Collective protection means are properties – public state, public municipal or private property – and are maintained and managed by the agencies they are assigned to, by the mayors of municipalities or by their owners" ¹. Owners may use or rent their shelter only for purposes that do not prevent sheltering ¹.

Both natural persons (art. 34, item 8) and legal entities (art. 38a, item 5) must not obstruct access of authorised officials to collective protection means for inspection, maintenance and repair ¹.

When is building one my choice, and when is it required?

Under the Council of Ministers ordinance on collective protection means (PMS No. 60/2009), building one outside the mandatory cases is at the investor's discretion ². Mandatory cases include metros and underground garages in production and public-service buildings in urban areas of special importance ². See shelter standards for the ordinance in detail.

Which permits apply?

For a shelter built as a collective protection means ²:

1. Design and building permit follow the Spatial Development Act.
2. Commissioning also follows the Spatial Development Act; GDPBZN must give a positive opinion as a member of the state acceptance commission.
3. Registration. The owner keeps a passport (blast shelter) or registration card (fallout shelter); one copy is held by GDPBZN.
4. Sheltering plan. The owner draws it up in agreement with GDPBZN and the mayor.

What does the owner have to do afterwards?

The owner bears all maintenance costs ². A new owner must notify GDPBZN in writing ². Blast shelters are checked by GDPBZN at least twice a year, and filter-absorbers are inspected every 3 years ².

What about a small family shelter?

We found no separate procedure for a small family shelter that is not intended as a collective protection means. Before any work, ask your municipality and GDPBZN which rules apply to your project, and have it designed by a qualified engineer. Phaenyx gives no structural instructions.

Background reading: protection factor, shelter ventilation, NBC filtration, radon underground and humidity and mould in shelters.

Frequently asked questions

Can a private person own a shelter in Bulgaria?

Yes. Collective protection means may be private property, maintained and managed by their owners ¹.

Do I need a building permit?

For a collective protection means, yes: design, building permit and commissioning follow the Spatial Development Act ². We found no separate procedure for a small family shelter.

Can I rent out my shelter?

Only for purposes that do not prevent sheltering ¹.

Who pays for maintenance?

The owner bears all maintenance costs ².

Sources

1. MVR – GDPBZN — Закон за защита при бедствия (consolidated text, last amended DV No. 60 of 7 July 2020) — https://www.mvr.bg/upload/287282/ZZB_GDPBZN.doc (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. MVR – GDPBZN — Наредба за реда за изграждане, поддържане и използване на колективните средства за защита (ПМС № 60 от 17.03.2009, ДВ бр. 23/2009, изм. и доп. ДВ бр. 16/2013) — https://mvr.bg/upload/15670/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B1%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B4%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D1%81%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)