Whether you’re a local or overseas investor, the steps and regulations for setting up a company in Bulgaria are identical.
Foreign investors do, however, need to separately handle visa and residency requirements if they plan to relocate to Bulgaria for an extended period to manage their business in person.
Bulgaria has streamlined company formation significantly since digitizing the Commercial Register — most straightforward incorporations now complete in 3–7 business days rather than weeks. Since the country adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, all capital requirements, fees, and thresholds are now denominated in euros rather than the Bulgarian lev (BGN). Language can still be a practical barrier for international investors, since founding documents must be drafted in Bulgarian — working with a local law firm or registered agent in Sofia or another Bulgarian city remains the most reliable way to avoid delays.
Types of Businesses in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Commerce Act recognizes several business structures: the private limited company (OOD/EOOD), the joint-stock company (AD), general and limited partnerships, sole traders, joint ventures, branches, and representative offices.
Private limited company (OOD/EOOD) — this is by far the most common structure for foreign investors. An OOD requires at least two members; a single-owner version is called an EOOD and needs only one. Since Bulgaria’s 2026 euro transition, the statutory minimum share capital is €1 (previously BGN 2), with a minimum value of €0.01 per share. Liability is limited to each member’s capital contribution.
Joint-stock company (AD) — requires at least two shareholders and a management board. The minimum share capital is €25,000 (previously BGN 50,000), rising to roughly €25,600 for companies planning a public share offering. The company is liable for its own obligations up to its assets.
General partnership (SD) — needs at least two partners. Liability is joint and several between partners, with no meaningful minimum capital requirement in practice.
Limited partnership (KD) — requires at least two parties: a general partner with unlimited liability and a limited partner (sponsor) whose liability is capped at their contribution. No statutory minimum capital applies.
Partnership limited by shares (KDA) — requires at least three limited shareholders and two general partners, with the same €25,000 minimum capital threshold as a joint-stock company. Limited shareholders’ liability is capped at their contribution.
Requirements to Start a Business in Bulgaria
Under the Bulgarian Commerce Act, forming a business is procedurally identical for foreign and local investors — there is no requirement for local co-ownership, and up to 100% foreign ownership is permitted for virtually all business types. An OOD/EOOD needs just one shareholder and one director at minimum; an AD (joint-stock company) needs at least two shareholders plus a management board.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens don’t need a visa to enter Bulgaria and can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period using only a valid ID card or passport — typically enough time to complete company registration and initial setup. Non-EU (third-country) nationals follow the same Schengen-adjacent visa rules that apply across the EU for short stays, and generally need a Type D long-stay visa or a residence permit if they plan to live in Bulgaria while running the business. Bulgaria also offers investment-based residency routes tied to substantial investment in Bulgarian assets such as company shares, bonds, or government debt — a Bulgarian immigration attorney can confirm current thresholds and requirements, since these investment-residency rules are updated periodically. For general context on the local hiring environment once your entity is set up, see our guide to hiring in Bulgaria.
5 Steps to Company Registration in Bulgaria
Step 1: Choose a Name for the Company
Check name availability through the Commercial Register’s free online database before drafting any documents. Have two or three alternatives ready, since common or overly generic names are often rejected. This step typically takes same-day to one business day.
Step 2: Open a Capital Deposit Account
Open a temporary capital deposit account (sometimes called an accumulation account) at a Bulgarian bank and deposit the minimum share capital — just €1 for an OOD/EOOD, though many founders deposit €50–100 in practice to keep working capital available immediately after registration. The bank issues a deposit certificate required for the Commercial Register filing. This typically takes 1–3 business days, longer if opening remotely.
Step 3: Register a Business Address
Your company needs a Bulgarian registered address. If you don’t have physical office space yet, a virtual office address in Sofia or another city is an accepted and common solution for foreign-owned companies at the registration stage.
Step 4: File with the Commercial Register
Submit the incorporation package — notarized Articles of Association, the bank’s capital deposit certificate, notarized specimen signature of the director/manager, and proof of registered address — to the Commercial Register, run by the Registry Agency. Filing electronically with a qualified e-signature (QES) is faster and cheaper than paper filing. Standard processing now takes roughly 3–7 business days, though it can extend if the registry raises queries about the application.
Step 5: Receive Your UIC and Complete Post-Registration Steps
Once approved, you receive a Unified Identification Code (UIC/EIK) — Bulgaria’s equivalent of a certificate of incorporation. After this, register with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) for tax purposes, register for VAT if applicable, obtain a company stamp (still commonly used for certain formal filings even though it’s no longer strictly mandatory for most transactions), and open a full operating bank account.
Registering an OOD/EOOD in Bulgaria requires only €1 of share capital, and the full process — from name check to UIC issuance — is commonly completed within 3–7 business days when documents are prepared correctly and filed electronically. Bulgarian corporate law applies identically regardless of the founders’ nationality: a foreign-owned company has the same rights, tax treatment, and market access as a locally-owned one.
Before hiring a lawyer or formation agent, check their track record specifically with foreign-founder registrations and ask for references — the process is fast when done correctly, but document errors or translation issues are the most common cause of delay.
Procedures
In practice, most straightforward incorporations in Bulgaria now complete within 3–7 business days rather than the multi-week timeline common before the Commercial Register’s e-filing systems matured. Founders (or their authorized representatives via power of attorney) sign notarized Articles of Association defining the company’s structure, capital, and management. This notarization step is typically completed in a single visit to any Bulgarian notary.
The founder or an authorized representative then opens the capital deposit account described above. The deposited capital stays held until the Commercial Register approves incorporation; the bank’s deposit certificate must accompany the registration filing. Bank fees for opening this account typically run €10–30 depending on the bank.
The company then files Form A4 with the Commercial Register, accompanied by notarized specimen signatures for each director and the required affidavits under the Commerce Act and Commercial Registration Act.
Additional documents typically required:
- Articles of Association or Founding Act
- Decree appointing the manager/director
- Notarized specimen signatures of managers/directors
- Bank certificate confirming the capital deposit
- Declaration of beneficial ownership (required under EU anti-money-laundering rules)
Electronic filing is both faster and cheaper than paper submission, and government fees are modest — typically in the range of €40–60 for electronic filing versus somewhat more for physical submission. Processing at the Commercial Register itself is now commonly 3–7 business days for complete, error-free applications, occasionally longer if the registrar requests clarifications.
VAT
As of January 1, 2026, companies must register for VAT once taxable turnover exceeds €51,130 in the current or previous calendar year — a new euro-denominated threshold that replaced the prior BGN-based limit at the start of 2026. Registration must be completed within seven days of crossing the threshold. The Commercial Register and National Revenue Agency share registration data automatically, so much of this process is now handled without duplicate paperwork.
Company accounts must be kept in accordance with Bulgaria’s Accounting Act and comply with Bulgarian tax law and reporting standards. For the fuller tax picture — corporate tax, dividend tax, and social contributions — see our hiring in Bulgaria guide, which covers Bulgaria’s 10% flat corporate tax rate and related employer obligations in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum capital needed to start a limited liability company (OOD) in Bulgaria?
The OOD in Bulgaria costs only 2 BGN which equals €1 making it one of Europe's least expensive business formation options since it does not trigger any ownership restrictions for foreign business owners. The system enables businesses with one owner and those with multiple partners to obtain complete incorporation services through e-services which finish within 3-7 business days.
As a non-EU investor, do I need a visa to set up and run a company in Bulgaria?
Non-EU nationals can enter the country without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period to establish their operations but they need to obtain a Type D visa or residency permit through investment for extended stays. The permanent residency program under 2025 rules requires non-EU nationals to invest at least €312,000 in stocks for obtaining a Type D visa or residency permit. EU citizens need only their ID or passport for entry while your company registration will handle work permit applications which Bulgarian consulates process within 2-4 weeks after setup
Can you walk me through the full 5-step process for foreign investors registering a company in Bulgaria, including timelines and costs?
The system operates under a 2025 design which takes 1-3 weeks to finish and costs under €500 for basic requirements while giving equal treatment to domestic and international investors who can maintain full ownership of their businesses. Step 1: Select a distinctive business title through the Commercial Register online database which provides free access for one day to prevent application rejection. Step 2: Open an escrow bank account at UniCredit or DSK to establish an account which costs between €20-50 and takes 1-2 days to set up while depositing €1 for OOD. Step 3: Find a registered address through a virtual office in Sofia which costs between €50-100 per month when physical space is unavailable and submit proof of registration. The process requires notarization of incorporation documents which include constitution and shareholders' agreement at €100-200 before submitting them to the Commercial Register through electronic channels for €80 to get fast approval within 3-4 days or by physical submission for €110 to get approval within 7 days. The process requires you to submit affidavits together with bank confirmation documents and signed paperwork. Step 5: Your company needs to obtain a stamp which costs between €10-20 and you must register for VAT when your annual sales reach 100,000 BGN (€51,000) through automatic Revenue Agency connection at no additional cost. Non-EU citizens should add residency applications to their post-registration process while consulting firms such as NextJob or Invest Bulgaria Agency for compliance because digital portals have reduced bureaucratic procedures by 40% during this year. The established framework provides all businesses with equal access to the EU market and a 10% flat corporate tax rate and complete banking services which suits technology and IT businesses
Relevant Links
- Bulgarian Commercial Register (Registry Agency)
- InvestBulgaria Agency — official government investment promotion body
- National Revenue Agency (NRA) — tax and VAT registration
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria
Related resources (NextJob.bg):
- Hiring in Bulgaria: the complete guide — tax rates, employment law, and cost of living
- Software development in Bulgaria — the market overview for tech-focused entities
- Bulgarian IT developer salaries — budget for your team once your entity is registered
- Tech recruitment strategies — hiring your first employees in Bulgaria
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