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Investor guides

Investment Legislation

What each of the main laws covers, in a few lines, with a link to the current official text. Start here, then check the details with a lawyer or accountant.

The English translations are published by Bulgarian ministries and agencies for information. They are not always up to date with the latest amendments; only the Bulgarian text published in the State Gazette is legally binding.

Investment and companies

Investment Promotion Act

The main law on state support for investors. Projects that reach the thresholds for a class A, B or C investment or a priority investment project can get faster administrative service, help with infrastructure, financial support for training and new jobs, and the purchase or lease of state or municipal land without a tender. The thresholds depend on the sector and on unemployment in the municipality.

Certificates are issued by the InvestBulgaria Agency, the government body for foreign investors (not connected with this site).

Official text

Our previous site published the 2007 version, then called the Investment Encouragement Act.

Commerce Act

Sets out the forms a business can take, including the sole trader (ET), the limited liability company (OOD and, with one owner, EOOD) and the joint-stock company (AD), along with how they are founded, managed, transformed and wound up. Companies are entered in the Commercial Register kept by the Registry Agency.

Official text

Accountancy Act

Covers bookkeeping, annual financial statements and their publication. It sets the size categories of companies (micro, small, medium and large) and decides which companies use Bulgarian accounting standards and which use IFRS. The current act has applied since 1 January 2016.

Official text

Our previous site published the previous Accountancy Act, replaced in 2016.

Measures Against Money Laundering Act

Requires banks, notaries, accountants, real estate agents and many other businesses to identify their clients and the ultimate beneficial owners, and to report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Directorate of the State Agency for National Security. Companies must declare their beneficial owners in the register. The current act dates from 2018 and follows the EU anti-money laundering directives.

Official text

Our previous site published the previous law, replaced in 2018.

Customs protection of intellectual property

Holders of trademarks, designs, patents and copyright can ask the National Customs Agency to watch for counterfeit or pirated goods and to detain them at the border. Since Bulgaria is in the EU, this is governed by EU Regulation No 608/2013, with the procedure handled by Bulgarian customs.

Official text

Our previous site published a 2000 Council of Ministers regulation, since replaced by EU rules.

Tax

Corporate Income Tax Act

Profit tax for companies and the withholding taxes on income paid abroad. The general rate is a flat 10%. The act also contains the rules on depreciation, transfer pricing, and state aid through tax relief, such as reinvesting tax in municipalities with high unemployment, along with the minimum tax for large groups (Pillar Two).

Official text

Rates checked October 2026: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, corporate income, reviewed 2 August 2026.

Personal Income Taxes Act

Income tax for individuals, with a flat rate of 10% on most income, including salaries. Employers withhold the tax on salaries each month. The act also covers rental income, freelance income, dividends and the annual tax return.

Official text

Rates checked October 2026: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, personal income, reviewed 2 August 2026.

Local Taxes and Fees Act

Taxes collected by municipalities: property tax, the tax when property is bought, vehicle tax, the tourist tax and the waste collection fee. The act sets the ranges, and each municipal council sets the exact rates for its area.

Official text

Employment

Labour Code

The main employment law: employment contracts, probation, working time, overtime, paid leave (at least 20 working days a year), pay, notice periods, dismissal and compensation, collective agreements and working conditions. Every employment contract must be registered with the National Revenue Agency before work starts.

Official text

Ordinance on Working Time, Rest and Leave

Detailed rules under the Labour Code on working hours, shift work, flexible and summarised working time, breaks, and how paid leave is calculated and used.

Official text

Health and Safety at Work Act

Employers must assess the risks at every workplace, provide training and protective equipment, and use an occupational health service. Ordinances under the act add detailed rules for specific risks, such as construction sites, noise, display screens and biological agents.

Official text

Employment Promotion Act

Covers the Employment Agency and its labour offices, help with recruitment, and subsidised programmes for hiring unemployed people, young people and people with disabilities, which employers can apply for.

Official text

Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act

Work permits for people from outside the EU, including the EU Blue Card and the single permit for work and residence, along with the posting of workers to and from Bulgaria. EU citizens do not need a work permit.

Official text

Our previous site published an ordinance on Bulgarians posted abroad; these matters are now covered by this act.

Vocational Education and Training Act

Vocational schools and licensed training centres, the list of professions, dual training in which students learn at a company, and the validation of skills. Training centres are licensed by the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET).

Official text

Employment Strategy 2021–2030

The government's plan for the labour market up to 2030, a policy document rather than a law: raising employment, skills and the labour supply, and bringing inactive people into work.

Official text

Our previous site published the Employment Strategy 2004–2010.

Energy

Energy Efficiency Act

Energy savings targets, energy audits for large companies and buildings, energy performance certificates for buildings, and energy efficiency schemes. The act is administered by the Sustainable Energy Development Agency (SEDA).

Official text

Energy from Renewable Sources Act

How solar, wind, hydro, biomass and other renewable plants are permitted, connected to the grid and paid for, including guarantees of origin and self-consumption. It also covers renewable energy in transport, heating and cooling.

Official text

Our previous site published the Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources and Biofuels Act, replaced in 2011.

Constitution and public finance

Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria

Adopted in 1991. It guarantees private property and free economic initiative, and allows foreign persons to own land only under conditions that come from EU membership, an international treaty or inheritance. Foreign companies can own land through a Bulgarian company.

Official text

Public Finance Act

How the state and municipal budgets are prepared, adopted and reported, along with the fiscal rules that limit the deficit and spending.

Official text

Our previous site published the State Budget Structure Act, replaced by this act in 2014.

Government Debt Act

How the government borrows and issues guarantees, and how the debt is managed and reported. The Ministry of Finance manages the debt.

Official text

About these texts

The old InvestBulgaria site published the full text of these laws as they stood in 2007. Most have been amended many times or replaced since, so we now link to the current versions kept by the ministries instead. For the business side, see Business & Tax, and for help, find a lawyer or accountant in the business directory.

This guide is a general summary for orientation, not legal or tax advice.