Bulgaria offers one of the most cost‑efficient and predictable company registration regimes in the EU, making it highly attractive for foreign investors in services, tech, and online business. With low taxes, clear procedures, and a fixed conversion rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN from 1 January 2026, investors can plan their budget in euros with much greater precision.
Why investors choose Bulgaria
- Low tax in an EU framework
Bulgaria applies a 10% corporate income tax and generally 5% dividend withholding tax, positioning it among the most competitive tax regimes in the Union. Combined with full access to the EU single market and no restrictions on foreign ownership, this creates a compelling base for cross‑border operations. - Predictable rules and digital registration
Company formation is handled centrally by the Commercial Register with electronic filings and public access to core company data. The main requirements—registered office, managers, capital and standard documents—are clearly set in Bulgarian company law and stable over time.
Main company forms for foreign founders
- EOOD/OOD – Limited Liability Company
EOOD (single‑owner) and OOD (multi‑owner) are the most common forms for foreign‑owned SMEs. Minimum capital is 2 BGN, which is about €1 at the official conversion rate, and liability is limited to the contributed capital. - AD – Joint‑Stock Company and alternatives
The joint‑stock company (AD) is typically chosen for larger projects, regulated activities or when multiple investors and formal corporate governance are required. Foreign investors may also register a branch or representative office, but those options do not offer the same flexibility and investor‑friendly structure as a Bulgarian LLC.
Step‑by‑step company registration in Bulgaria with euro‑based costs and timelines
Amounts below are converted at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN and rounded to two decimals, following the official rule for Bulgaria’s euro adoption.
1. Planning and company name
- What happens
You choose the legal form (EOOD/OOD/AD), shareholders, managers, registered address and principal activities, then verify and reserve the company name via the Commercial Register. The legal suffix must correspond to the chosen form, and the name must be unique in Bulgaria. - Indicative costs and timelines
2. Preparing incorporation documents
- Documents required
Standard sets include Articles of Association or constitutive act, shareholder resolutions, manager’s consent and specimen signatures, proof of registered address, and ID documents. Where shareholders are foreign entities, corporate documents must be translated into Bulgarian and often legalised (apostille or consular certification). - Indicative costs and timelines
- Notary fees in Bulgaria: BGN 50–150 ≈ €25.57–€76.72.
- Legalisation and sworn translations of foreign documents: often in the €100–€300+ range depending on volume and jurisdiction.
- Typical timing: 1–2 working days if everything is done locally and documents are ready; 3–7 days where apostille, consular procedures and courier times are involved.
3. Share capital and initial bank account
- Capital and certificate
For an EOOD/OOD, minimum share capital is 2 BGN (≈ €1.02), payable into a special capital account in the name of the company in formation. The bank issues a certificate confirming the deposit, which accompanies the Commercial Register application. - Indicative costs and timelines
- Many Bulgarian banks do not charge a separate fee for opening the initial capital account, though their policies differ.
- Time frame: 2–3 days with a responsive bank to several weeks for non‑resident shareholders due to KYC and compliance checks.
- Some investors rely on experienced local intermediaries or EU‑regulated fintech solutions to streamline the banking phase.
4. Filing with the Commercial Register
- Registration process
Once documents are signed, notarised and compiled, an electronic application is submitted to the Commercial Register with all supporting documents attached. The file must include the Articles, bank capital certificate (if applicable), proof of paid state fees and data on the managers. - State fees and timelines in euro
5. Post‑registration steps
- Tax, VAT and accounting
After registration, the company receives a unified identification number and must maintain accounting records and submit annual financial statements. VAT registration is compulsory above the statutory threshold, but many B2B or EU‑trade‑focused companies opt for earlier voluntary registration. - Banking and operational setup
Most companies move from the capital account to a full operational bank account with online banking and card facilities. For foreign‑owned entities, virtual office/registered address services and external accountants are standard solutions. - Indicative running costs
- Virtual office / registered address packages: typically starting from a few hundred euros per year, depending on location and services included.
- Basic accounting for a micro‑company: often from a modest monthly fee in the lower hundreds of euros per year, rising with transaction volume and payroll.
Typical overall duration and euro budget
- Time overview
- Document preparation, translations and notarisation: 1–7 days.
- Bank capital account and KYC: 2–3 days to several weeks for non‑residents.
- Commercial Register decision: 1–3 working days after submission.
In practice, many foreign investors can expect a realistic 7–14 day window from first draft documents to full company registration, assuming timely responses and no unusual complications.
- Budget in euro (excluding professional fees)
- Name reservation, minimum capital and state fee together are usually well under €100 if filed online (≈ €10.23 + €1.02 + €28.12).
- The main variables are translations, legalisation, notary fees, banking support, registered address and professional services, which together can easily range from a few hundred euros to over €1,000, depending on complexity and speed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Can a foreigner own 100% of a Bulgarian company?
Yes. Bulgarian law allows foreign individuals and foreign legal entities to hold all shares in a local company, without nationality or residence restrictions for shareholders. - Do I need to travel to Bulgaria to register a company?
Not necessarily. Many investors complete the whole process remotely via a notarised and, where required, apostilled power of attorney granted to a local lawyer or service provider. - How long does it take to be operational?
With fast preparation and cooperation from the bank, registration is often completed in 1–2 weeks, plus any extra time needed for the chosen bank to finalise full operational accounts. - What is the minimum share capital for an LLC (EOOD/OOD)?
The legal minimum is 2 BGN, which equals about €1.02 at the fixed conversion rate, though many investors choose a higher and more commercially credible capital. - When must I register for VAT?
VAT registration becomes mandatory once the company exceeds the Bulgarian turnover threshold, while earlier voluntary registration is common for EU‑trading or mainly B2B structures. - Do I need a local address in Bulgaria?
Yes. Every company must have a registered seat and address in Bulgaria, which can be provided through a virtual office or professional registered‑address service for foreign‑owned entities. - Is Bulgaria suitable for online and remote businesses?
Low tax rates, relatively low running costs, and the ability to manage operations remotely while maintaining a Bulgarian entity make Bulgaria particularly attractive for online services, consulting, and tech projects aimed at the EU market.
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