Legal guarantee in Bulgaria: 2 years from delivery

What it covers

This is the seller's liability under Article 31(1) of the Act on the Provision of Digital Content and Digital Services and on the Sale of Goods. It applies to goods bought in a shop or from an online trader, including second-hand goods sold by a trader.

It does not apply to a purchase from a private individual, to live animals, or to second-hand goods sold at a public auction when the seller has clearly said that the rights under the act do not apply. Other EU countries set their own periods. These articles are the Bulgarian ones.

What you can ask for

First, repair or replacement, free of charge. For goods without digital elements the seller has one month from the day you notify them (Article 34(2)). If they do not do it, the fault comes back, or it is serious, you can ask for a price reduction or terminate the contract (Article 33).

For durable goods the seller may try a second time to bring the goods into conformity before you reach a reduction or termination. You cannot terminate for a minor lack of conformity, and the seller has to prove that it is minor.

Who has to prove the fault

A lack of conformity that appears within one year of delivery is presumed to have existed on delivery, unless the seller proves otherwise (Article 32(1)). After the first year, you show that the problem is not from misuse.

The clock stops during repair

While the goods are being repaired or replaced, the two years do not run (Article 37(2) and Article 45(3)). The current act does not add a separate 'two months from discovery' deadline. The period for these rights is the one in Article 37.

Sources

• Act on digital content, digital services and the sale of goods, Articles 31–37 and 45 (lex.bg)
• EU Directive 2019/771 on the sale of goods

More on this

• I lost the receipt. Is the guarantee still valid?
• The legal guarantee and a commercial warranty are not the same
• How to file a claim in Bulgaria