How to Register a Company in Bulgaria
Step by step
How to register a company in Bulgaria
Register an EOOD or OOD in Bulgaria by choosing the company details, arranging a registered address, preparing the documents, paying in the capital and filing with the Commercial Register.
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Choose the company details
Choose an EOOD or OOD, select the business activity by NACE code and set the capital. The legal minimum capital is €1.
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Arrange a Bulgarian address
Provide a registered address in Bulgaria, supported by a lease, title deed or serviced-office contract.
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Prepare the documents
Prepare passport copies for the founders and managers, the founding act for an EOOD or articles of association for an OOD, proof of the registered address and a declaration of beneficial owners.
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Notarise the manager’s consent
The manager’s consent and specimen signature must be notarised. If a founder is abroad, prepare a power of attorney that is notarised and apostilled or legalised, with a certified Bulgarian translation.
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Pay in the capital
Pay the capital into a capital account and obtain the bank’s certificate that it has been paid in.
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File with the Commercial Register
File the company documents with the Commercial Register. Online filing requires a qualified electronic signature and has a lower state fee; questions from the register can add time.
Before you start
- Any person or company, of any nationality, can found an EOOD or OOD; residence is not required.
- At least one manager must be an individual; they need not be Bulgarian or resident.
- The company needs a registered address in Bulgaria, backed by a lease, title deed or serviced-office contract.
- Decide the business activity (by NACE code) and the capital: €1 is the legal minimum.
Source: Global Law Experts: How to form a company in Bulgaria (EOOD and OOD), 20261
Documents
- Passport copies of founders and managers.
- Founding act (EOOD) or articles of association (OOD).
- The manager’s notarised consent and specimen signature.
- Proof of the registered address.
- The bank’s certificate that the capital has been paid in.
- A declaration of the beneficial owners.
- For a founder abroad: a power of attorney, notarised and apostilled or legalised, with a certified Bulgarian translation.
Source: Global Law Experts: How to form a company in Bulgaria (EOOD and OOD), 20261
Timing
| Step | Founder in Bulgaria | Founder abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Name check and documents | 1–2 working days | 3–7 working days |
| Notarisation | Same day | 1–5 working days |
| Capital account | Same day to 1 day | 1–2 weeks |
| Commercial Register | 1–3 working days | 1–3 working days |
| Company number (UIC) | 3–7 working days | 2–3 weeks |
| Operating bank account | 2–3 weeks in all | 3–5 weeks in all |
Source: Global Law Experts: How to form a company in Bulgaria (EOOD and OOD), 20261
Filing online needs a qualified electronic signature and gets the lower state fee. The register can ask questions, which adds time.1,3
After registration
- Tax: the company is registered with the National Revenue Agency automatically.
- VAT: register within 7 days once taxable turnover passes €51,130 in the current or previous calendar year, or earlier by choice. The agency can take up to 14 days.
- Staff: register employment contracts with the National Revenue Agency within three days of signing.
- Accounts: keep books and file annual financial statements with the Commercial Register.
- Euro capital: companies registered with capital in leva have until 31 December 2028 to restate it in euro.
Source: Global Law Experts: How to form a company in Bulgaria (EOOD and OOD), 2026; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, corporate, other taxes; Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments; Registry Agency: Portal and news1,4,5,3
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to register a company in Bulgaria?
A Bulgarian company receives its company number in 3–7 working days if the founder is in Bulgaria, or in 2–3 weeks if the founder is abroad. Opening a working bank account takes 2–3 weeks in total for a founder in Bulgaria and 3–5 weeks in total for a founder abroad.
How much is the company registration fee in Bulgaria?
The Commercial Register fee in Bulgaria is €28.12 for online filing and €56.24 for paper filing. Online filing requires a qualified electronic signature.
Can a foreigner register a company in Bulgaria?
Yes, a person or company of any nationality can found an EOOD or OOD in Bulgaria, and residence is not required. At least one manager must be an individual, but the manager need not be Bulgarian or resident. The legal minimum capital is €1.
When must a company register for VAT in Bulgaria?
A company must register for VAT within 7 days after its taxable turnover passes €51,130 in the current or previous calendar year. It can also register earlier by choice, and the agency can take up to 14 days to process the registration.
Sources
- Global Law Experts: How to form a company in Bulgaria (EOOD and OOD), 2026
- Wise: Cost of starting a business in Bulgaria (Registry Agency fees)
- Registry Agency: Portal and news
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, corporate, other taxes
- Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
