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@alanjolly65

Nice to have friends like you. I tend to feel that my friends should rent or buy their own car. :-)

If he's here that much, he probably has a house here, and maybe should get his own vehicle. Without a residence permit he can buy a car using a Bulgarian company (maybe the same one that owns the house). This is probably the best option if it's a long-term arrangement (e.g. holiday home for x years until pension and D visa kicks in).

But, of course, if you prefer to buy a car in your name, for his use, you can to that too. Your regular insurance is for the vehicle, as you say. You probably should include some paperwork in the vehicle so that it would be clear that he has your permission to drive it. You'd be on the hook for any damage or traffic fines so bear that in mind too.

Thank you!

He is already retired but does not intend to move here and he has an apartment so no company required.  I realise it isn't difficult to set one up.  If I buy the car, I will be here to deal with things that need dealing with.

(Plus I get to use his car and Im not paying for it 😄)

Ideally, you should give him at least a letter, in Bulgarian, authorising him to use "your" vehicle - preferably, to properly cover your b*tt, notarised.  If you'll be "dealing things that need dealing with" you'll need a proper POA - they're real sticklers for such things here..

@alanjolly65

Sorry if I'm being a Debbie Downer about your Cunning Plan. If he's paying for everything, I suppose there shouldn't be much downside. However, to me, it sounds like an ongoing aggravation, and personally I'd avoid such an arrangement, especially when there are viable alternatives.

I also question to what extent you're "not paying for it". The immediate issue is what vehicle is it, and who'll pay for it. Even if he doesn't have expensive tastes, I'd imagine 10k-20k euros is easily spent. There are only two options: you buy it as it's in your name (which means now you've spent 20 grand, and you might lose it if he writes-it off in the first week of his annual holidays).  Or,  he gives you 20 grand... and now he's driving around in a vehicle that HE paid for, but it's in your name, so you can sell it / rescind the informal use agreement at any time, and keep his dosh. The latter is better for you, but both options are bad for one of you. Or, maybe, he picks out a car, agrees how the arrangement will work, and sends you off to buy and register the vehicle. Having done all that, he comes over... finds some little issue that he doesn't like, and decides he's not so keen on the car/arrangement after all, and decides not to reimburse you. And leaves you out of pocket for a car you don't want/need. But maybe I am I way too cynical in my old age! :-)

Given that he's retired, I'm not sure there's much to be gained by NOT becoming a resident. With a pension it's pretty easy and fairly inexpensive. He can still stay 5 or 6 months (or less), but he'd have the extra flexibility of staying longer, or exceeding the 3 months limit... and without any nagging concern that he might accidentally overstay. It also would allow him to be in the local health system (NHIF) or buy his own car, should either of these ever prove to be useful.

I'm in a similar position regarding Cyprus and Spain. I'm very comfortable in Bulgaria, and I have to intention to "move" to either of those countries. But I find it convenient to be a legal resident there, rather than a tourist, and I can enjoy my property whenever I feel like it.

@alanjolly65

What driving license does he have? If he gets stopped a couple of times by the police, it might be a bit of concern that he hasn't changed his license if he using a UK one.

My dad drives my wife's car, but that's only now and again when she is at work and he is on a 2 week holiday.

Thanks for the replies and I totally understand your train of thought.

As regards the purchase. He would choose and pay for the car. The risk is all his financially. There’s no real concern over this. Apart from the fact we have been friends for 50 years.  We have joint ventures and assets that outweigh the cost of a car.

He wouldn’t want to apply for Long stay visa. That would involve him getting all the documents together, translations (cost), police checks (cost) medical insurance  (cost)  etc. He would then need to go to London to get a D Visa (cost).  He would then have to visit the local directorate in Bulgaria with a translator (cost) and pay for a long stay permit that will only last for a year as he won’t stay for 6 months. I calculate it will easily exceed £1000 to setup.  Then he would have the hassle and cost of renewing his permit every year as it will never be extended for more than a year unless he spends 30 months here over a 5 year period.