Company Establishment in Bulgaria
Gateway to the European Union — Complete Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs
10% Corporate Tax
Full EU Membership
3–7 Business days to register
100% Remote Possible
KEY STATISTICS
Why Register a Company in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria offers foreign entrepreneurs a rare combination: the lowest tax rate in the European Union, full access to the EU Single Market, minimal share capital requirements, and a registration process that can be completed entirely remotely. Below are the six most compelling reasons why Bulgaria is one of the top business destinations in Europe.
Lowest EU tax rate
Flat 10% corporate & personal income tax — most competitive in the EU.
Full EU market access
Operate across 27 member states, access EU funding, free movement of services.
Remote-first setup
Registration, banking & accounting handled without visiting Bulgaria.
Low operating costs
Office space, skilled labour & professional services far cheaper than Western Europe.
70+ tax treaties
Double taxation agreements reduce withholding tax for international structures.
EU-standard compliance
Full GDPR & EU corporate law alignment. Schengen access since 2024.
Types of Companies You Can Register
Bulgarian law provides several legal forms for conducting business. The choice of structure depends on your business model, planned activities, number of shareholders, and capital requirements. Our advisors will recommend the optimal entity type during your free initial consultation.
| Type | Description & Key Facts |
|---|---|
| OOD / EOOD | Limited Liability Company Most popular for foreign founders. Min. share capital BGN 2 (~€1). Shareholders bear no personal liability beyond their contribution. Director may be a foreign national. Recommended for: IT · Trading · Consulting · E-commerce · Holdings |
| AD | Joint Stock Company For larger ventures & regulated sectors. Min. capital BGN 50,000 (~€25,000). Shares may be publicly or privately traded. Required for banking and insurance. Best for: Investment funds · Financial services · Large enterprises |
| Branch | Branch of a Foreign Company Extend your existing entity into Bulgaria without a new subsidiary. Parent company bears full liability. A local branch manager must be appointed. Best for: Market testing · Operational presence · Service delivery |
| Rep. Office | Representative Office Registered via the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce. Cannot conduct commercial activities — limited to market research, promotion, and liaison. Best for: Brand presence · Market research · Liaison functions |
| Shelf Co. | Ready-Made Company Pre-registered OOD with no prior activity or liabilities. Ownership transfer in 1–3 days — ideal when speed matters or a specific registration date is needed. Fast-track option for: Tenders · Immediate operations |
The Registration Process — Step by Step
From first contact to a fully registered, operational Bulgarian company in as little as one week. Each step below is handled by our team — you only need to provide the required documents and approvals.
1 — Choose your legal form
Advisory
Our advisors assess your business model, planned activities, and shareholder structure to recommend the optimal entity type.
2 — Reserve your company name
Check availability
We check uniqueness against the Bulgarian Commercial Register and secure your preferred name.
3 — Establish a registered address
Virtual office available
Every Bulgarian company legally requires a local address. We provide legal address & virtual office services in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas.
4 — Prepare founding documents
Drafted by legal team
Articles of Association, director declarations, and specimen signatures — drafted by our legal team. Remote founders use a notarized & apostilled Power of Attorney.
5 — Deposit share capital
From €1
Statutory minimum capital is deposited into a Bulgarian bank account. We assist with bank selection and capital deposit documentation.
6 — File with the Commercial Register
3–5 business days
The application is submitted to the Registry Agency. Registration confirmed within 3–5 business days.
7 — Post-registration formalities
VAT, NRA, Bank
VAT registration, NRA enrollment, bank account transition, and employment registration (if applicable) — all coordinated by our team.
Documents Required to Register an OOD
The documents required vary by legal form and the nationality of the founders. For an OOD registration by a foreign national, the following are typically needed. Our team prepares all templates and guides you through country-specific notarization and apostille requirements.
- Valid passport or national ID of all shareholders and the director
- Specimen signature of the director (notary-certified)
- Articles of Association / Memorandum of Association (drafted by our legal team)
- Bank certificate confirming share capital deposit
- Director’s declaration of criminal record & legal capacity
- Power of Attorney (for remote founders) — notarized & apostilled
Registration Cost Breakdown
Bulgaria is among the most cost-effective EU jurisdictions for company formation. The table below shows a typical cost breakdown for registering an OOD. Costs for remote registration (involving Power of Attorney, apostille, and courier) will vary based on the founders’ country of origin.
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| State registration fee (OOD) | BGN 160 (~€80) |
| State registration fee (AD) | BGN 360 (~€180) |
| Notary fees (Articles of Association, signatures) | BGN 80–200 (~€40–100) |
| Legal address / registered office (annual) | €400 / year |
| Bulgaria for Business VCC professional fee | From €1,000 |
| TOTAL — Typical OOD formation | From €1,000 |