What’s Happening in Bansko: Ski Season Dates, Proposed Property Tax Changes and Short-Term Rental Rules (Early November 2026)

Two weeks after our late-October update, November is here and Bansko is getting ready for winter. This time there are three things owners, landlords and buyers should know: the preliminary dates of the ski season, a proposal that would raise the tax assessments of property from 2027, and the rules for short-term rentals that now apply on Airbnb and Booking. Here is a short summary based on official announcements and published sources.

Ski Season 2026/2027: Preliminary Dates and Pass Prices

According to the preliminary schedule of the lift operator, Yulen, reported on 18.10.2026, the winter season in Bansko is planned to run from 01.12.2026 to 11.04.2027. The operator notes that the dates may change depending on the weather, the snow cover and other circumstances. Last season opened on 13.12.2025, so the final date will depend on the snow.

Season passes for 2026/2027 are sold at promotional prices until 01.12.2026 (inclusive):

• adults — 870 EUR;
• students, pupils aged 12 to 18.99 and pensioners up to 74.99 — 820 EUR;
• children aged 7 to 11.99 — 460 EUR;
• children up to 6.99 and pensioners aged 75 and over — 55 EUR.

Check the current conditions on the official banskoski.com site before buying.

What it means for owners: if you rent out short-term, December bookings depend heavily on the opening date. Plan flexible conditions for the first two weeks of December and set your prices for the holidays now.

Proposed Increase in Property Tax Assessments from 2027

The Ministry of Finance has published a draft amendment to the Local Taxes and Fees Act. The public consultation ran from 23.09.2026 to 23.10.2026. The draft raises the base values used to calculate the tax assessment of buildings and land, compared with 2026, by these coefficients:

• 2027 — 1.3 (about 30% higher);
• 2028 — 1.65;
• 2029 — 2.0 (double the 2026 level).

This is a proposal, not a law. It still has to be adopted by Parliament, and the final numbers may change.

Why it matters for property owners:

• Annual property tax. It is calculated on the tax assessment, so a higher assessment means a higher tax, even if the municipal rate stays the same.
• Waste collection fee. In many municipalities it is also linked to the tax assessment.
• Buying and selling. The local transfer tax and notary fees are calculated on the higher of the price and the tax assessment. For most market deals in Bansko the agreed price is higher, so the effect there should be smaller, but it is worth checking for older or cheaper properties.

We will follow the bill and write again when there is a final decision.

Short-Term Rentals: Registration Number Required

Since 20.05.2026, EU Regulation 2024/1028 on short-term rentals applies. Every short-term rental listed on a platform such as Airbnb or Booking must have a valid registration number, and the platforms are required to remove listings without one.

В България апартамент, отдаван под наем на туристи, се регистрира (категоризира) в общината, където се намира, а обектът се въвежда в Националната туристическа информационна система (ЕСТИ). Преди зимния сезон проверете дали:

• апартаментът Ви е регистриран в общината и удостоверението е валидно;
• обектът е въведен в ЕСТИ;
• правилният регистрационен номер е посочен във всяка обява.

Обява, свалена през декември, в началото на сезона, означава загубени резервации, които трудно се възстановяват.

Тези правила обхващат краткосрочни престои за туристи. Отдаването под наем на един наемател по дългосрочен договор е различно споразумение, със собствен договор и данъчни правила. Нашето ръководство Краткосрочен или дългосрочен наем в Банско? обяснява как да изберете.

Предстоящи събития

• 05.11.2026 — SAREX-26. В района на Пирин се планира мащабно учебно-тренировъчно занятие за търсене и спасяване при авиационна катастрофа. Подготвително учение се проведе на Бандершка поляна на 21.10.2026 г.
• 18–22.11.2026 — Bansko Film Fest. 25-то издание, с 80 премиери от 35 държави (вижте нашия early-October update).
• 01.12.2026 — последният ден от промоционалните цени на сезонните карти и планираното начало на ски сезона.

Бърз контролен списък за ноември

• Проверете регистрационния номер на Вашия краткосрочен наем във всяка платформа.
• Задайте цени и условия за декември и празниците.
• Service heating, check smoke detectors and prepare the apartment for guests.
• If you plan to sell in 2027, look at the proposed changes to the tax assessments with your tax adviser.
• If you plan to buy before the season, start viewings now, before the December rush.

Тази статия е обща информация, а не правен или данъчен съвет.

How We Can Help

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• Getting your apartment ready for winter guests? Our Property Management & Rentals service takes care of the property and the guests.
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