Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Stamboliyski

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Stamboliyski, Bulgaria

E-commerce and internet law in Stamboliyski is governed primarily by national Bulgarian legislation and by European Union law that applies across Bulgaria. Local businesses and residents selling goods or services online must follow rules on consumer protection, electronic contracts, data protection, payments and taxation, intellectual property, and liability for online content. Practically speaking, an online seller based in Stamboliyski has the same legal obligations as sellers elsewhere in Bulgaria, and may also face cross-border EU requirements when trading with customers in other member states.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Online business can raise a range of legal issues where professional help is often useful. Common reasons to consult a lawyer include:

- Drafting and reviewing website terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie notices to ensure legal compliance. - Ensuring GDPR compliance, creating or auditing data processing agreements, and handling data subject requests and data breach notifications. - Structuring online sales and marketplace agreements, and advising on payment provider contracts and PSD2-related matters. - Handling consumer complaints, disputes over refunds or returns, and defending against claims under the Consumer Protection Act. - Dealing with intellectual property issues, including trademark clearance, countering counterfeit listings and copyright takedowns. - Responding to takedown notices, intermediary liability claims, or platform disputes. - Advising on tax and VAT obligations for e-commerce, including registration with the National Revenue Agency and OSS/IOSS for cross-border sales. - Representing you before administrative authorities such as the Commission for Consumer Protection or the Commission for Personal Data Protection, and in court if necessary. - Advising on cybersecurity incidents, criminal complaints for hacking or fraud, and coordinating with law enforcement or insurers.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal areas and rules relevant to e-commerce in Stamboliyski include the following.

- Electronic Commerce Act - regulates information obligations of online service providers, requirements for contracts concluded online, and rules on intermediary liability for hosted third-party content. - Consumer Protection Act - sets information duties, pre-contractual disclosure, the right of withdrawal for distance contracts, mandatory warranties and rules on unfair commercial practices. The usual right of withdrawal for consumers is 14 calendar days, with some exceptions. - Personal Data Protection Act and GDPR - Bulgaria enforces EU General Data Protection Regulation via the national Personal Data Protection Act and oversight by the Commission for Personal Data Protection. Obligations include lawful bases for processing, transparent notices, data subject rights, recordkeeping and breach notification within 72 hours where required. - Payment Services and Payment Systems Act and PSD2 rules - regulate payment service providers, strong customer authentication requirements, and liability for unauthorized transactions. - Laws on electronic identification and trust services - implement eIDAS standards for electronic signatures and trust services. - Commercial and company law - registration of companies, sole traders and branches with the Bulgarian Commercial Register managed by the Registry Agency. Accounting and invoicing obligations apply to registered traders. - Tax and VAT rules - the National Revenue Agency administers VAT, corporate tax and reporting. Special EU schemes such as OSS and IOSS affect cross-border VAT obligations for online sellers. - Intellectual property law and domain regulation - trademarks and copyrights are protected under national law and EU rules. .bg domain management and disputes are handled by the relevant registry. - Criminal provisions - the Penal Code contains offences related to computer crimes, fraud, unlawful access and data destruction. - Advertising and marketing rules - specific rules control electronic marketing, email promotions and contests; direct marketing typically requires consent under privacy rules and e-privacy principles. - Enforcement and remedies - regulatory oversight comes from national bodies such as the Commission for Consumer Protection and the Commission for Personal Data Protection; judicial enforcement is handled through district and regional courts in the Plovdiv region for Stamboliyski cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my online business in Stamboliyski?

If you are selling goods or services as a commercial activity, you generally need to register a business form - for example as a sole trader or a company - with the Bulgarian Commercial Register. Even small-scale sellers must comply with registration, accounting and tax obligations if their activity meets the legal definition of commercial activity. For casual sales by private individuals the rules are different, but repeated or organised sales will typically require registration.

What information must my online store display?

Your website must provide clear pre-contractual information including your business name and address, contact details, company identification number or registration details, essential characteristics of the goods or services, total price including taxes and fees, delivery costs and terms, payment methods, the right of withdrawal and how to exercise it, and the duration of any commercial offers. These obligations come from the Electronic Commerce Act and consumer protection rules.

How does the right of withdrawal work for online sales?

Consumers generally have 14 calendar days from receipt of goods or conclusion of a service contract to withdraw from a distance contract without giving a reason. You must inform consumers about their right of withdrawal and provide a model withdrawal form. Certain items are excluded - for example sealed goods that cannot be returned for health or hygiene reasons, perishable goods, or tailored products. Sellers must refund the consumer within specified timeframes and may be entitled to recover certain costs for diminished value caused by handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature of the goods.

What are my GDPR obligations when I run an online shop?

As a data controller you must lawfully process personal data, be transparent in privacy notices, have a legal basis for processing such as consent or legitimate interest, enable data subject rights, implement appropriate security measures, keep processing records in some cases, and notify the Commission for Personal Data Protection and affected individuals about certain personal data breaches within required deadlines. You should also put data processing agreements in place with third-party processors such as hosting providers and payment processors.

How should I handle cookies and tracking technologies?

Cookies that are strictly necessary for the functioning of the site can usually be set without consent, but analytics, advertising and other non-essential cookies require prior informed consent from users. You should provide a cookie banner that allows users to accept or refuse categories of cookies, and a clear cookie policy explaining types of cookies, purposes and retention periods.

Do I need to charge VAT on sales inside and outside the EU?

VAT rules depend on where your customer is located, whether the buyer is a business or a consumer, and the value of cross-border sales. Sales to consumers in other EU states may trigger VAT registration or the use of OSS/IOSS regimes. Business-to-business supplies within the EU can be zero-rated with correct VAT IDs. You should check thresholds and registration requirements with the National Revenue Agency and consider professional tax advice for cross-border operations.

Who is liable for user-generated content on my platform?

Under the Electronic Commerce Act there are safe-harbour rules for intermediaries who merely transmit or host third-party content provided they do not have actual knowledge of unlawful content and act promptly to remove it when notified. However, if you play an active role in moderating or promoting content, you may assume greater responsibility. Clear terms of use, notice-and-takedown procedures and rapid responses to complaints help manage liability.

What should I do if my listings are copied or infringed online?

If your trademarks, copyrighted content or product listings are infringed you can use platform takedown procedures, issue cease-and-desist notices, and seek remedies in court. Document the infringement, keep evidence, and consider registering your marks or designs in Bulgaria and relevant markets to strengthen enforcement options. A lawyer can help draft notices and represent you in disputes or litigation.

How do I respond to a consumer complaint or a regulatory notice?

Take complaints seriously and respond promptly in writing with proposed remedies. For regulatory notices from consumer protection authorities or the data protection commission, follow deadlines precisely and consider legal representation. In many cases mediation or negotiated settlement can avoid lengthy court proceedings. Keep records of communications and remedial actions taken.

Can I sell across the EU from Stamboliyski and what issues should I watch for?

Yes, you can sell across the EU, but be mindful of cross-border VAT obligations, consumer rules that apply in the buyer's country, language and labeling requirements, shipping and customs for non-EU sales, and differing rules on returns and warranties. Using EU schemes such as OSS can simplify VAT reporting for distance sales to consumers. For complex cross-border operations consult a lawyer with EU e-commerce experience.

Additional Resources

Below are institutions and organizations that are helpful for e-commerce and internet law matters in Bulgaria:

- Commission for Personal Data Protection (national data protection authority) for GDPR matters. - Commission for Consumer Protection for consumer rights and distance selling issues. - National Revenue Agency for tax and VAT obligations. - Registry Agency - Bulgarian Commercial Register for company registration. - Bulgarian Patent Office for trademarks and industrial property protection. - Register.BG or the relevant domain registry for .bg domain issues. - Bulgarian Bar Association and the regional Plovdiv Bar Association to find licensed lawyers in the Plovdiv region. - Local courts in the Plovdiv region for civil litigation and enforcement proceedings. - Relevant ministries such as the ministry responsible for e-government, communications and digital policy for national initiatives. - European resources such as the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform and the European Consumer Centres Network for cross-border consumer disputes within the EU. - Industry associations, business support centres and local chambers of commerce that may offer guidance and training for online sellers.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for an e-commerce or internet matter in Stamboliyski, follow these practical steps:

- Identify the issue clearly - compliance, dispute, IP, data breach, tax audit or contracts. - Gather documents and evidence - contracts, invoices, screenshots, correspondence, website terms, privacy policy and registration papers. - Check deadlines - for consumer claims, administrative responses and data breach notifications time limits may be short. - Contact a local lawyer - look for a lawyer experienced in Bulgarian e-commerce, data protection and consumer law. Use the Plovdiv region bar association to find qualified counsel if you are in Stamboliyski. - Request an initial consultation - discuss scope, likely outcomes, costs and a written engagement letter. - Consider interim measures - preserve records, suspend disputed listings, change access to affected systems or notify your processors, depending on the issue. - Explore alternative dispute resolution - mediation or settlement can often be faster and cheaper than court. - Implement compliance steps - update terms and privacy policy, set up cookie consent, put processor agreements in place and review VAT registration requirements. - Keep a documented plan - track actions taken, communications and next deadlines. - Remember this guide is for general information and does not replace legal advice tailored to your specific situation. For definitive guidance consult a qualified attorney licensed in Bulgaria.