Open a Company in Bulgaria (2026)

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, and joined the Schengen Zone in 2025. For entrepreneurs eyeing EU market access, these changes make Bulgarian company formation more attractive than ever.

Quick answer: Registering an EOOD (single-member LLC) in Bulgaria costs €400–€800 total, takes 3 business days, and requires just €1 in minimum capital. You’ll get a 10% flat corporate tax rate, the lowest in the EU alongside Hungary. This guide covers every step, cost, and requirement for 2026.

Last reviewed: January 2026. All costs and requirements verified.

Jump to: Company Types | Registration Steps | Costs | Tax Benefits | Visa Options | FAQ

Business Structure Options in Bulgaria

Most foreign entrepreneurs register an EOOD or OOD. Here’s how they compare to other structures.

EOOD (Single-Member LLC)

The EOOD is Bulgaria’s most popular structure for solo founders. One shareholder. One director. Full control. The minimum capital requirement is symbolic: 2 BGN (about €1). That’s not a typo.

Your personal assets stay protected since liability is limited to your capital contribution. Freelancers, consultants, and digital businesses overwhelmingly choose this structure. Small businesses are also exempt from mandatory audits.

Best for: Solo entrepreneurs, consultants, remote workers, small e-commerce operations.

OOD (Multi-Member LLC)

Same structure as the EOOD, but with two or more shareholders. The minimum capital stays at €1. Management happens through shareholder meetings and an appointed director.

If you’re starting with a business partner or planning to bring in co-founders later, start with an OOD. Converting from EOOD to OOD later is possible but adds paperwork.

Best for: Partnerships, startups with multiple founders, businesses planning equity splits.

AD/EAD (Joint-Stock Company)

Larger enterprises need this structure. The catch? Minimum capital jumps to 50,000 BGN (approximately €25,000). You’ll also need a three-member board minimum.

Joint-stock companies allow unrestricted share transfers, which matters for raising investment or going public eventually. But for most small businesses, it’s overkill.

Best for: Larger enterprises, companies seeking investment, businesses planning eventual IPO.

Branch Office

Already have a company registered elsewhere? A branch office lets you operate in Bulgaria under your parent company’s name. No separate legal entity. The parent company remains liable for all obligations.

Best for: Established foreign companies expanding into Bulgaria.

Representative Office

This one’s limited. Representative offices can’t conduct commercial activities or generate revenue. They exist purely for market research, promotion, and establishing presence.

Best for: Market testing before full company registration.

How to Register a Company in Bulgaria

The process is straightforward if your documents are ready. Here’s the actual sequence.

Step 1: Choose and Reserve Your Company Name

Search the Bulgarian Commercial Register to verify your desired name is available. The name must be unique and can’t mislead about the company’s activities. Reserve it before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare Incorporation Documents

You’ll need:

• Articles of Association (founding deed for EOOD)
• Minutes of the incorporation meeting
• Manager’s specimen signature (notarized)
• Declaration of consent from the manager
• Bank certificate showing deposited capital

If you’re registering remotely, documents notarized abroad must be apostilled. Alternatively, sign before the Bulgarian consul nearest to you.

Step 3: Deposit Minimum Capital

Open a temporary bank account and deposit your share capital. For an EOOD/OOD, that’s 2 BGN minimum. The bank issues a certificate confirming the deposit. You’ll need this for registration.

Pro tip: While €1 is legally sufficient, depositing €500–€1,000 looks more credible to partners and clients.

Step 4: Submit to the Commercial Register

File everything with the Bulgarian Commercial Register. Online filing costs 55 BGN (€28). Paper filing runs 110 BGN (€56). The register processes applications within 3 business days.

Step 5: Obtain Your Tax Identification Number

After registration, apply for a Bulstat number from the National Revenue Agency. This is your company’s tax identification for all dealings with Bulgarian authorities.

Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account

Convert your temporary capital account to a regular business account. Or open a new one. Bulgarian banks typically require the company registration certificate, Articles of Association, and manager ID documents.

Step 7: Register for VAT (If Required)

VAT registration becomes mandatory once your turnover exceeds €51,130 annually (the 2026 threshold). Below this, registration is optional. The standard VAT rate is 20%.

Step 8: Obtain Necessary Licenses

Some activities require additional permits. Financial services, food production, healthcare, and transportation all have specific licensing requirements. Check with the relevant ministry before starting operations.

Registration Costs Breakdown

What you’ll actually pay depends on your situation.

DIY Registration (Founder Present in Bulgaria)

• Commercial Register fee: €28–€56
• Notary fees: €25–€50
• Bank account opening: €100–€150
• Minimum capital deposit: €1+
• Total: €224–€307

Using a Registration Agent (Founder Present)

• Agent/lawyer fees: €300–€500
• Government fees: €28–€56
• Notary and bank fees: €125–€200
• Total: €400–€800

Remote Registration (Founder Abroad)

• Agent/lawyer fees: €500–€800
• Document apostille/legalization: €100–€200
• Government and notary fees: €150–€250
• Translation services: €50–€100
• Total: €800–€1,500

Foreign legal entities as owners push costs toward the higher end due to additional documentation requirements.

Bulgaria’s Tax Advantages

The tax structure is why many entrepreneurs choose Bulgaria over Western European alternatives.

Corporate Income Tax: 10%

A flat 10% rate regardless of profit size. No progressive brackets. No trade tax. Compare that to Germany’s combined rate of nearly 30% or France’s 25%.

Dividend Tax: 5%

When you distribute profits to yourself, Bulgaria takes just 5%. Combined with the 10% corporate rate, your effective tax on distributed profits is around 14.5%. Still far below most EU countries.

VAT: 20%

Standard rate applies to most goods and services. A reduced 9% rate covers hotel accommodation, books, and baby food. Registration is mandatory above the €51,130 annual turnover threshold.

Personal Income Tax: 10%

If you become a Bulgarian tax resident, personal income is also taxed at a flat 10%. Social security contributions add roughly 13% on top for employed individuals.

No Minimum Tax

Unlike some jurisdictions, Bulgaria doesn’t impose minimum corporate tax requirements. If your company makes no profit, you pay no corporate tax.

Visa Options for Non-EU Entrepreneurs

EU citizens can register and manage Bulgarian companies without any visa. Non-EU nationals have several pathways.

Type C Visa (Short-Stay)

Valid for 90 days within a 180-day period. Sufficient for company registration if you’re just setting things up and returning home. You can manage the company remotely afterward.

Type D Visa (Long-Stay Business)

For entrepreneurs planning to stay in Bulgaria. The traditional business visa requires your company to employ at least 10 Bulgarian citizens. Sound steep? It is.

Alternative: The Start-up Visa requires 100,000 BGN (approximately €51,000) in initial capital investment instead of hiring requirements.

Digital Nomad Visa (New for 2026)

Bulgaria launched this program in December 2025. Remote workers and entrepreneurs working for companies registered outside Bulgaria/EU can stay for up to one year, renewable.

Requirements:

• Annual income of at least €27,550 (50x Bulgarian minimum wage)
• Proof of remote work or business ownership outside EU
• Health insurance from a Bulgarian provider
• Clean criminal record

This visa doesn’t let you conduct commercial activities through a Bulgarian company, but it’s perfect for location-independent entrepreneurs who want a European base.

Document Requirements (All D Visas)

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining
• Two passport photos (45mm x 35mm)
• Proof of accommodation (lease agreement or hotel booking)
• Bank statements showing 6x Bulgarian minimum monthly salary
• Health insurance covering hospitalization and repatriation
• Visa application fee: €100

Virtual Office and Legal Address

Every Bulgarian company needs a registered address. But do you need actual office space? No.

Virtual office services provide a legal address for registration, mail handling, and official correspondence. Prices start around €10–€30 per month in Sofia. This satisfies the legal requirement while you operate remotely or from a co-working space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner open a company in Bulgaria without visiting?

Yes. You can register a company entirely through power of attorney. Your appointed representative handles everything locally. Documents signed abroad must be notarized and apostilled. Expect the process to take 2–3 weeks instead of 3 days due to document shipping and legalization.

Do I need a Bulgarian bank account?

For registration, yes. You must deposit share capital in a Bulgarian bank to receive the certificate required for registration. After incorporation, some businesses use EMIs (electronic money institutions) like Wise Business for daily operations, but a local bank account remains useful for certain transactions.

What’s the difference between EOOD and OOD?

Only the number of shareholders. EOOD has one shareholder. OOD has two or more. Both have identical capital requirements (€1 minimum), liability protections, and tax treatment. Choose EOOD for solo ventures, OOD for partnerships.

How long does the full registration process take?

If you’re physically present in Bulgaria with all documents ready: 3 business days. Remote registration with apostilled documents: 2–4 weeks. Add another week if you need business licenses for regulated activities.

Is Bulgaria still attractive after joining the Eurozone?

More attractive, arguably. The 10% corporate tax rate hasn’t changed. Euro adoption eliminates currency conversion costs for EU transactions. Schengen membership simplifies travel. The fundamentals that made Bulgaria appealing remain intact.

Final Verdict

Bulgaria offers one of Europe’s simplest and cheapest company registration processes. Three days. Under €1,000 in costs. A 10% corporate tax rate. Full EU membership with euro currency and Schengen travel.

For digital businesses, consultants, and entrepreneurs who want EU market access without Western European costs, it’s hard to beat. The EOOD structure handles most needs. The bureaucracy is lighter than Germany, France, or even Estonia.

The main limitation: if you want residency through your business, you’ll need to meet employment or capital thresholds that don’t suit every entrepreneur. The new digital nomad visa helps, but it’s designed for remote workers, not local business operators.

Start with an EOOD if you’re testing the waters. You can restructure later as your business grows.