Buying a Ready-Made Company in Bulgaria
Purchase a Pre-Registered Bulgarian OOD — Operational Within 1–3 Days
1–3 Ready in Days
Clean History & No Liabilities
Various Dates Available
VAT Option Available
KEY FACTS
What is a ready-made (shelf) company?
A ready-made company — also called a shelf company — is a Bulgarian OOD that was registered by our legal team specifically for resale, and has never conducted any business activity. It has a valid UIC/BULSTAT number, a set of Articles of Association, a registered legal address, and a clean zero-history balance sheet. When you purchase it, 100% of the company shares are transferred to you via a notarized deed.
The term ‘shelf company’ comes from the idea that the entity sits on a shelf, fully formed and ready to be picked up and used immediately. In Bulgaria, this is a legally recognized and widely used instrument for rapid business setup — particularly popular with international entrepreneurs who need to begin operations or fulfill contractual requirements faster than a standard new registration would allow.
Why choose a shelf company over new registration?
There are six principal reasons why foreign entrepreneurs choose to purchase a ready-made company rather than register a new one. In many cases, speed and the registration date are the decisive factors.
Immediate operability
The company has a valid UIC/BULSTAT number and can begin invoicing, signing contracts, and opening bank accounts within days of transfer — not weeks.
Registration date matters
Some tenders, contracts, and licensing applications require a company with a minimum registration age. A shelf company with a historical date resolves this instantly.
No registration delays
Skip the Commercial Register queue entirely. There is no waiting for new registration filings to be processed — the company already exists in the register.
Clean legal history
Every shelf company in our portfolio has never conducted any business activity. No prior transactions, no employees, no tax obligations, no disputes or liabilities.
Time-critical situations
When a business opportunity, contract deadline, or licensing window cannot wait for a standard 2–4 week registration, a shelf company is the fastest legal solution.
Full flexibility post-transfer
After acquisition, you can rename the company, change its registered address, amend the Articles of Association, and appoint new management — all standard procedures.
What is included in every shelf company package
Every shelf company sold by Bulgaria for Business VCC comes as a complete, ready-to-use package. The following items are included in the transfer — no hidden extras.
| Item included | Description |
|---|---|
| ✔ Certificate of Registration | Official Удостоверение за вписване from the Registry Agency confirming the company’s existence in the Bulgarian Commercial Register. |
| ✔ UIC / BULSTAT Number | The company’s unique identification code (ЕИК/БУЛСТАТ), automatically assigned upon original registration and retained after transfer. |
| ✔ Certified Articles of Association | The founding document of the company, updated to reflect new ownership and management following transfer. |
| ✔ Director’s appointment documents | All documents confirming the appointment of the new director (Управител), ready for use with banks and authorities. |
| ✔ Specimen signature certificate | Notarized specimen signature of the new director — required for banking, contract execution, and authority registrations. |
| ✔ Legal address for 1 year | The company remains registered at our legal address in Bulgaria. Mail handling, scanning, and forwarding included for the first year. |
| ✔ Confirmation of zero activity | A formal declaration and accounting confirmation that the company has never conducted any commercial activity, had no employees, and has no tax obligations. |
| ✔ Transfer deed (Договор за прехвърляне) | The notarized agreement transferring 100% of the company shares from the seller to the buyer — the core legal instrument of the transaction. |
The acquisition process — step by step
The transfer of a shelf company is a straightforward legal procedure that our team manages from start to finish. In most cases the entire process takes 1–3 business days from the moment we receive the required documents from the buyer.
1 — Initial enquiry & portfolio selection
Same-day response
You tell us your requirements — preferred registration date, VAT status, any specific criteria. We present matching options from our current inventory with full details of each company.
2 — Due diligence package provided
Delivered within 1 business day
We provide the full due diligence file for your chosen company: extract from the Commercial Register, accounting confirmation of zero activity, tax clearance confirmation, and Articles of Association.
3 — Share transfer agreement drafted
Drafts provided within 1 business day
Our legal team prepares the notarized share transfer agreement (Договор за прехвърляне на дружествени дялове) and all supporting board resolutions and declarations.
4 — Signing — in person or via Power of Attorney
Timeline: same day (in-person) or 3–10 days (POA)
For buyers present in Bulgaria: signing takes place before a Bulgarian notary. For remote buyers: a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney is used, following the same process as our remote registration service.
5 — Transfer registered at the Commercial Register
3–5 business days processing time
The ownership change is filed with the Registry Agency. The new director is registered, the old director is removed, and your details appear in the public register.
6 — Full document handover
Delivered within 1–2 days of registration
We deliver the complete company file: updated register extract, certified Articles of Association, transfer deed, director appointment documents, and legal address confirmation.
7 — Post-transfer changes (optional)
Timelines vary by procedure
We can immediately proceed with any post-transfer changes you require: company rename, amendment of Articles, VAT registration, bank account opening support, or enrollment with the National Revenue Agency.
Shelf company vs. new registration — comparison
The table below summarizes the key differences between purchasing a shelf company and registering a new Bulgarian OOD. The right choice depends on your timeline, requirements, and priorities.
| Factor | Shelf (Ready-Made) Company | New Company Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Time to operational status | 1–3 business days | 2–4 weeks (incl. document prep) |
| Registration date | Historical date — as specified | Date of filing |
| Suitable for time-sensitive tenders | Yes — immediately | No — must wait for registration |
| Share capital requirement | BGN 2 (already deposited) | BGN 2 (must be deposited) |
| Prior business history | None — clean slate | None — new entity |
| Company name | Can be changed post-transfer | Chosen at registration |
| Cost | Transfer fee + service fee | State fee + service fee |
| Recommended for | Urgency, tender requirements, investors needing aged company | Full control over name, structure from day one |
Cost breakdown
All fees are fixed and confirmed in writing before you proceed. There are no hidden charges. The table below reflects a standard shelf company acquisition with legal address included for the first year.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shelf company transfer fee (state & notary) | ~€100–150 |
| Bulgaria for Business VCC service fee (transfer + legal) | From €800 |
| Legal address — annual fee (first year included) | €400 / year |
| Company rename (optional — if you wish to change the name) | From €450 |
| VAT registration (optional — strongly recommended for B2B) | From €400 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL — standard acquisition | From ~€2,150 |
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before purchasing a ready-made Bulgarian company.