Investing in Bulgaria
Equal treatment for foreign capital, a few restrictions and the screening of non-EU investments.
10% Flat corporate and personal income tax
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Business & Tax
Set Up and Run a Company in Bulgaria
Company types, registration, the main tax rates and the real cost of employing people, with calculators you can use before you fly in.
Main tax rates · Checked October 2026
Business & Tax guides
Nine Guides to Setting Up in Bulgaria
From the rules for foreign investors to banking, customs and EU funds, checked for October 2026 with every figure linked to its source.
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Business Culture
Meetings, greetings, the reversed nod, negotiations and the summer slowdown.
40 hours Working week, Monday to Friday
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Company Forms
EOOD, OOD, AD, branch, representative office, holding and joint venture compared.
€1 Minimum capital of an EOOD or OOD
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Register a Company
Steps, documents, fees and timing, in person or remotely from abroad.
€28.12 Commercial Register fee online (€56.24 on paper)
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Taxes
Every main tax at a glance, with the deadlines for returns and payments.
10% Corporate and personal income tax
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Banking and Currency
23 banks, €121 billion of assets, deposits protected to €100,000, and the euro since 2026.
23 Banks, 6 of them branches of foreign banks, June 2026
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Stock Exchange
SOFIX up about 41% in a year, €10.7 billion of market value, and dual listing with Frankfurt.
1,518 SOFIX, 8 October 2026
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Customs
EU customs rules, an EORI number in up to three days, 20% import VAT and excise.
3 days Maximum time to issue an EORI number
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EU Funds
€10.8 billion of cohesion funds, equity and loan funds for companies, and the Recovery Plan.
€10.8 bn EU cohesion funds for Bulgaria, 2021–2027
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Choosing a company form
Most foreign investors use a limited liability company. The main forms are:
- Limited liability company (EOOD with one owner, OOD with several): the usual choice for trading companies, holding property or employing staff.
- Joint stock company (EAD or AD): for larger businesses, regulated activities or a planned listing.
- Branch of a foreign company: registered in Bulgaria but not a separate legal person, so the parent is liable for its obligations.
- Sole trader (ET): for an individual trading in their own name.
Compare them in detail: Single-Owner LLC (EOOD), Limited Liability Company (OOD), Joint-Stock Company (AD), Branch, Representative Office, Holding Company, Joint Venture.
Registering a company
- Agree the name, owners, managers and registered address in Bulgaria.
- Sign the articles and the managers' consent. Documents signed abroad usually need an apostille and a certified Bulgarian translation.
- Open a capital account at a Bulgarian bank and pay in the share capital.
- File with the Commercial Register at the Registry Agency, online with a qualified electronic signature or in person.
- After registration, register for VAT if you need to and set up payroll with the National Revenue Agency.
A local accountant or lawyer usually handles the filing and the company's first registrations. Find one in the accounting directory. For documents, fees and timing, see how to register a company.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 10%. Capital gains are included in taxable profit. |
| Dividends to individuals | 5%, withheld by the company |
| Dividends to non-residents | 5%, unless a tax treaty reduces it. Exempt for companies resident in the EU or EEA. |
| Personal income tax | 10% flat |
| VAT | 20% standard, 9% for hotel accommodation and some other supplies |
| VAT registration | Required within 7 days once taxable turnover in Bulgaria passes €51,130 in the current or previous calendar year. Voluntary registration is possible. |
| Property tax | 0.01% to 0.45% a year, set by the municipality |
Large multinational groups may be subject to a 15% minimum tax under the EU Global Minimum Tax Directive.
Each tax in detail: Corporate Tax, Income Tax, VAT, Capital Gains Tax, Property Taxes, Social Security.
Investor tools
Employing People and Paying Yourself
Social security is shared between employer and employee and capped at a maximum insurable income of €2,300 a month from 1 August 2026. See social security for the rates.
Company Tax Calculator
10% profit tax · 5% dividend tax
Profit tax (10%)
€10,000
Dividend tax (5%)
€4,500
You keep
€85,500
Combined burden 14.5% for a Bulgarian resident individual shareholder who takes all profit as a dividend. Information only, not tax advice.
The cost of doing business
Beyond tax, the main running costs are people, premises and professional services:
- Salaries: use the checker above for the full employer cost of a role. Pay is highest in Sofia and in IT, finance and shared services.
- Offices: Sofia has the deepest office market, with lower rents in Plovdiv, Varna and other regional cities. See Regions.
- Accounting and payroll: Bulgarian companies must keep accounts and file annual returns, so most foreign-owned companies use a local accountant from the start.
- Incentives: certified projects under the Investment Promotion Act can get faster permits and infrastructure support. See Why Bulgaria.
For the trend in labour costs and the minimum wage against the EU, see the economy charts; for the laws behind employment and tax, see the legislation guide.
This page is a general summary, not legal or tax advice. Rates were checked against the sources below in October 2026.
Sources
- Deloitte: International Tax, Bulgaria Highlights 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria corporate income tax
- U.S. Department of State: 2025 Investment Climate Statement, Bulgaria
- Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Investment promotion measures
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, corporate, other taxes (VAT registration from 2026)
- National Assembly: Social security budget for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What taxes apply to company profits and dividends in Bulgaria?
In 2026, Bulgaria’s corporate income tax is 10%, and dividends paid to individuals are taxed at 5%. For a Bulgarian resident individual shareholder who takes all profit as a dividend, the combined tax burden is 14.5%.
When must a business register for VAT in Bulgaria?
In 2026, a business must register for VAT within 7 days once its taxable turnover in Bulgaria passes €51,130 in the current or previous calendar year. Voluntary registration is also possible.
Which company form do most foreign investors use in Bulgaria?
Most foreign investors use a limited liability company in Bulgaria. An EOOD has one owner, while an OOD has several; both are usual choices for trading, holding property or employing staff, and each has a minimum capital requirement of €1.
How much does it cost to register a company in Bulgaria?
The Commercial Register filing fee is €28.12 for an online application or €56.24 for a paper application. These are the registration filing fees.
What is the maximum insurable income for social security in Bulgaria?
The maximum insurable income for social security in Bulgaria is €2,300 a month from 1 August 2026. Contributions are shared between the employer and employee.
Next step
Get Your Company Registered Properly
Accountants and lawyers who set up and run companies for foreign owners.
