Yes — but the operating entity must be a company genuinely established in Bulgaria. A Bulgarian subsidiary (OOD or AD) of a foreign parent company can apply for and hold an EU Community Licence, provided it meets all three conditions (good repute, financial standing, professional competence) and has a genuine Bulgarian establishment. The foreign parent company cannot directly hold a Bulgarian transport licence without establishing a Bulgarian entity.
Transport Licence in Bulgaria
EU Community Licence for Road Freight & Passenger Transport — Valid Across All 27 EU Member States
IAMA Regulated
EU Community Licence
€9,000 Per Vehicle
1–3 Month Process
KEY FIGURES
€9,000 Financial standing per vehicle (road freight)
€50,000 Financial standing — first vehicle + €9,000 each
1–3 Months — application timeline
27 EU member states — Community Licence validity
Transport licensing in Bulgaria — the regulatory framework
Road transport operations for hire or reward — carrying goods or passengers commercially — require a licence in Bulgaria, as in all EU member states. The regulatory framework is harmonised across the EU through Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 (access to the occupation of road transport operator) and Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 (road freight transport market) and Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 (passenger road transport).
In Bulgaria, transport licences are issued by the Executive Agency for Road Transport (Изпълнителна агенция Автомобилна администрация — IAMA). A Bulgarian road freight or passenger transport licence takes the form of an EU Community Licence — a standardised document recognised and valid across all 27 EU member states. This makes Bulgaria an attractive base for logistics companies, freight operators, and passenger transport providers who wish to operate across the EU from a single licenced entity.
EU COMMUNITY LICENCE: Unlike gambling licences, which are purely national, a Bulgarian road transport licence is issued in the form of an EU Community Licence — directly valid for international operations across all EU member states and for cabotage operations within each member state. This is a significant practical advantage: a Bulgarian transport company with a Community Licence can legally carry goods or passengers anywhere in the EU without needing separate national permits in each country.
Transport licence types in Bulgaria
Bulgarian transport law distinguishes between several categories of transport operators, each requiring a specific licence. The EU Community Licence framework covers road freight and passenger transport — the most relevant categories for international logistics and transport businesses.
| Licence type | Description | Financial standing | Validity / scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road freight transport operator | Authorisation to carry goods commercially by road for hire or reward — domestic and international haulage, including TIR operations. The most common transport licence sought by foreign logistics companies. | €9,000 per vehicle in the fleet (minimum €9,000 for 1 vehicle) | Valid across all 27 EU member states via EU Community Licence |
| Road passenger transport operator | Authorisation to carry passengers commercially by road — coach services, regular bus routes, tourist transport, and shuttle services for hire or reward. | €50,000 for the first vehicle + €9,000 per additional vehicle | Valid across all 27 EU member states via EU Community Licence |
| International road transport operator | Specific authorisation for cross-border operations — required for operators conducting international road transport, including haulage between Bulgaria and non-EU countries under bilateral agreements and TIR Convention. | Same as above by category | Required for ECMT multilateral permits, bilateral agreements, and TIR carnets |
| Taxi / individual hire car operator | Authorisation for taxi and private hire car operations — regulated at municipal level in Bulgaria. Separate from the Community Licence regime. | Varies by municipality | National / municipal licence — not covered by EU Community Licence passporting |
| Driving school / driver training | Licence to operate a professional driver training school. Not an EU Community Licence — a separate national authorisation issued by IAMA under Bulgarian road transport law. | Defined by IAMA regulations | National licence — IAMA regulated |
The three conditions for obtaining a transport licence
EU Regulation 1071/2009 requires every road transport operator to satisfy three mandatory conditions on a continuous basis. These conditions apply equally in Bulgaria and in every other EU member state — they are the foundation of the harmonised EU transport licensing regime.
1. Good repute
- No convictions for serious criminal offences — including road transport offences, fraud, labour law violations, or offences against individuals
- No revocation of a transport licence in any EU member state in the preceding 2 years for serious infringements
- Applies to the company, the transport manager, and — in some cases — the shareholders
- Confirmed by: criminal record certificate for the transport manager and relevant company officers, declaration of good repute, and company registration extract
2. Financial standing
- Road freight: €9,000 for the first vehicle + €5,000 for each additional vehicle in the fleet
- Passenger transport: €50,000 for the first vehicle + €9,000 for each additional vehicle
- Financial standing is demonstrated by the company’s annual accounts, bank statements, or a bank guarantee — not paid-up capital
- The financial standing assessment is conducted by IAMA and must be demonstrated at the time of application and maintained on an ongoing basis
3. Professional competence
- The company must employ at least one Transport Manager (Ръководител на транспортна дейност) who holds a valid Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- The CPC is obtained by passing a written examination — in Bulgaria, this is administered by IAMA. The exam covers road transport law, vehicle standards, commercial law, social law, and fiscal matters
- Holders of a CPC from another EU member state may have it recognised in Bulgaria
- The Transport Manager must be genuinely and continuously linked to the company — they are personally responsible for transport operations compliance
TRANSPORT MANAGER — THE KEY REQUIREMENT: The appointment of a qualified Transport Manager with a valid Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is the single most critical practical requirement for most applicants. If your management team does not currently hold a CPC, this must be obtained before the licence can be issued — which involves passing IAMA’s written examination. Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on CPC preparation and can assist in identifying experienced transport managers available for appointment as part of the licence structure.
The EU Community Licence — what it covers
The EU Community Licence is the central document of the Bulgarian transport operator licence. Understanding what it authorises — and what it does not — is essential for planning your transport operations from Bulgaria.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | An EU Community Licence (Лиценз на Общността) is a document issued by a national transport authority (IAMA in Bulgaria) to a licensed road transport operator. It certifies that the operator meets EU-wide standards for road transport and is entitled to operate commercially across EU member states. |
| What it authorises | International road freight or passenger transport operations between EU member states (and under bilateral agreements, to/from certain non-EU countries). Also authorises domestic (cabotage) transport operations in other EU member states under EU cabotage rules. |
| Certified true copies | The original Community Licence is held at the operator’s registered office. Certified true copies (one per vehicle) must be carried on board each vehicle during operations. IAMA issues certified copies upon request. |
| Validity period | EU Community Licences are issued for 10 years and must be renewed before expiry. Continued compliance with all three conditions (good repute, financial standing, professional competence) is required throughout the licence period. |
| Cabotage operations | A Bulgarian Community Licence holder may conduct cabotage transport in any EU member state — i.e. carry goods or passengers between two points within another EU member state — subject to the EU cabotage rules (maximum 3 cabotage operations within 7 days following an international laden journey into the host member state). |
| TIR operations | For transport to non-EU countries using the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system, the Bulgarian transport operator must also be admitted to the TIR system by the Confédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés (CITA) and obtain TIR carnets from the authorised issuing body in Bulgaria. |
Required documents for the IAMA application
The IAMA application for a Community Licence requires a structured set of documents demonstrating that all three conditions are met. Bulgaria for Business VCC prepares and manages the full documentation package on your behalf.
- Company registration extract — Current extract from the Bulgarian Commercial Register confirming the company’s name, UIC, registered address, and legal representatives. Must be recent (within 3 months).
- Certificate of Good Repute — company — Official declaration or certificate confirming that the company (and its directors/shareholders where required) has no relevant criminal convictions or previous licence revocations.
- Certificate of Good Repute — transport manager — Criminal record certificate for the appointed Transport Manager, confirming no disqualifying offences. For foreign nationals, the certificate from their country of residence must be apostilled.
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) — Valid CPC certificate of the appointed Transport Manager, issued by IAMA (or recognised from another EU member state). Confirms the transport manager passed the professional competence examination.
- Proof of financial standing — Evidence of sufficient financial resources — annual accounts, bank statements showing available capital, or a bank guarantee. Must demonstrate €9,000 per vehicle (freight) or €50,000 first vehicle + €9,000 per additional (passenger).
- Vehicle documents — Registration certificates (taloni) for all vehicles to be included in the licence. Vehicles must be registered in Bulgaria. For leased vehicles, lease agreements confirming the operator’s right of disposal.
- Proof of establishment in Bulgaria — Evidence of a genuine establishment in Bulgaria — registered office, operational premises, and actual conduct of road transport activities from Bulgaria.
- Employment or service contract — transport manager — Proof of the genuine link between the transport manager and the company — employment contract, management contract, or shareholder status documents.
- Completed IAMA application forms — Standard IAMA application forms for the Community Licence — completed and signed by the company’s legal representative.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: All vehicles included in the Community Licence must be registered in Bulgaria. If your vehicles are currently registered in another country, they must be re-registered in Bulgaria before the licence can be issued (or leased vehicles must be registered in Bulgaria in the operator’s name or under a long-term leasing arrangement). Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on vehicle registration and the implications for your fleet.
The application process — step by step
The transport licence application process is among the most straightforward of all the regulated licences we support — provided the three conditions are met in advance. The typical timeline from engagement to licence issuance is 1–3 months.
1
Initial assessment & licence type confirmation
We assess your planned transport operations — freight or passenger, domestic or international, fleet size — and confirm the correct licence category, financial standing requirement, and CPC status of proposed transport managers.
Free initial assessment — typically 1–2 business days
2
Company formation
Formation of the Bulgarian OOD or AD — Articles of Association, director appointment, share capital, and Commercial Register registration.
2–4 weeks — managed by our corporate team
3
Transport manager CPC (if needed)
If no CPC holder is available, we advise on IAMA’s CPC examination — covering the examination syllabus, registration process, and preparation. This step runs concurrently with company formation.
CPC exam available monthly through IAMA — preparation 4–8 weeks
4
Vehicle registration in Bulgaria
If vehicles are not yet registered in Bulgaria, we advise on the registration process. Vehicles must be registered before the licence application can be filed.
2–4 weeks per vehicle — coordinated by our team
5
Document preparation & assembly
Preparation of the full IAMA application package — company documents, transport manager credentials, criminal record certificates, financial standing evidence, vehicle documents, and IAMA application forms.
1–2 weeks — managed by Bulgaria for Business VCC
6
IAMA application submission
The complete application is submitted to IAMA — in person at the IAMA office or through authorised representatives. The official application fee is paid.
Submitted within 1 week of package completion
7
IAMA review
IAMA reviews the application and verifies all three conditions. For complete, well-prepared applications, the review typically takes 4–8 weeks. IAMA may request supplementary information.
4–8 weeks from submission
8
Community Licence issuance & certified copies
IAMA issues the Community Licence (original) and the requested number of certified true copies (one per vehicle). Certified copies are carried on board vehicles during operations.
Collected from IAMA or delivered — copies available immediately upon issuance
Ongoing obligations after licence issuance
The EU Community Licence is not a one-time achievement — continuous compliance with all three conditions is mandatory throughout the 10-year licence period. IAMA monitors compliance and has powers to suspend or revoke the licence for non-compliance.
| Ongoing obligation | Details |
|---|---|
| Continuous compliance with three conditions | Good repute, financial standing, and professional competence must be maintained at all times. Any change in circumstances — new criminal conviction, deterioration of financial position, departure of transport manager — must be notified to IAMA. |
| Transport manager continuity | If the transport manager leaves or is no longer genuinely linked to the company, a replacement must be appointed within 6 months. Failure to maintain a compliant transport manager is grounds for licence suspension. |
| Vehicle fleet changes | Adding vehicles to the fleet requires notifying IAMA and obtaining additional certified true copies of the Community Licence. Removing vehicles requires returning the relevant copies. |
| Tachograph & driver hours compliance | All heavy goods vehicles must be fitted with approved tachographs. Driver working hours must comply with EU Regulation 561/2006 on driving times and rest periods. Regular tachograph data downloads and record-keeping. |
| Vehicle roadworthiness — technical inspection | All vehicles must undergo periodic technical inspections (annual GOE test in Bulgaria) and meet EU vehicle safety and emissions standards. Vehicles failing inspection must be taken off the road immediately. |
| Driver qualification cards (CPC drivers) | All professional drivers must hold a valid Driver CPC qualification card, renewed every 5 years through 35 hours of periodic training. Operators must maintain driver CPC records. |
| Annual transport activity report | Submission of annual transport activity reports to IAMA — including vehicle utilisation, routes operated, and cargo volumes. Required for licence renewal assessment. |
| Cabotage compliance | For operations involving cabotage in other EU member states — strict compliance with the 3-operations-in-7-days rule, maintenance of transport documents, and readiness for inspection by host member state authorities. |
| Licence renewal | EU Community Licences are valid for 10 years. Renewal requires re-demonstration of all three conditions and submission of updated documentation. Bulgaria for Business VCC tracks renewal deadlines for all transport clients. |
Cost overview
Transport licensing is the most cost-effective of all the regulated licences we support — official IAMA fees are low, and the financial standing requirement is demonstrable through existing financial resources rather than a paid capital commitment. The main cost components are set out below.
| Item | Description | Cost / Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Company formation (OOD or AD) | Formation of the Bulgarian transport company — Articles, management, share capital, Commercial Register registration. | From €300 |
| IAMA application fee — road freight Community Licence | Official IAMA fee for processing the Community Licence application. | BGN 150 per vehicle (~€77) |
| IAMA application fee — passenger transport Community Licence | Official IAMA fee for passenger transport licence application. | BGN 200 per vehicle (~€102) |
| Certified true copies of Community Licence (per vehicle) | One certified copy per vehicle in the fleet — issued by IAMA alongside the original Community Licence. | BGN 15–30 per copy (~€8–15) |
| CPC examination preparation (if required) | Preparation and examination fees for the Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence, if the transport manager does not already hold a CPC. | BGN 200–500 (~€100–260) |
| Financial standing — road freight (per vehicle) | Not a fee — a capital / financial resource requirement. Must be demonstrated via bank statements or accounts. | €9,000 per vehicle |
| Financial standing — passenger transport | First vehicle €50,000 + €9,000 per additional vehicle. Must be demonstrated, not paid as a fee. | €50,000 + €9,000 per vehicle |
| Bulgaria for Business VCC — application preparation & liaison | Full application package preparation, IAMA document management, and regulatory liaison through to licence issuance. | From €500 |
| Vehicle registration in Bulgaria (if needed) | Bulgarian registration of vehicles to be included in the fleet. Required if vehicles are currently registered abroad. | From €200 per vehicle |
| Legal address & ongoing compliance support | Registered address service and ongoing IAMA compliance monitoring, fleet change notifications, and renewal management. | From €400/yr |
Financial standing (€9,000 per freight vehicle or €50,000 first passenger vehicle) is not paid to IAMA — it is demonstrated through existing financial resources (bank statements, annual accounts). It is not a fee, deposit, or guarantee. All professional fees exclude Bulgarian VAT (20%). Official IAMA fees are paid directly to IAMA.
Frequently asked questions — transport licence
Key questions answered for foreign entrepreneurs considering a Bulgarian transport licence.
The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for transport managers is a mandatory qualification under EU Regulation 1071/2009. It is obtained by passing a written examination covering road transport law, commercial law, social law (driving hours regulations), vehicle standards, and fiscal matters. Every road transport operator must appoint at least one transport manager who holds a valid CPC. In Bulgaria, the exam is administered by IAMA. Holders of a CPC from another EU member state can have it recognised in Bulgaria.
There is no minimum number of vehicles required to obtain an EU Community Licence — even a single-vehicle operator can apply. However, the financial standing requirement scales with the fleet size: €9,000 per vehicle for road freight (€50,000 for the first passenger transport vehicle). There is no upper limit on fleet size, provided the financial standing and other conditions are maintained.
The transport manager must be genuinely and continuously linked to the company. EU Regulation 1071/2009 requires that the transport manager actually and continuously manages the transport activities of the undertaking. A transport manager who is never present in Bulgaria and has no real involvement in the company’s operations may not satisfy the ‘genuine link’ requirement. IAMA assesses this on a case-by-case basis. We advise on the minimum acceptable arrangement for your specific situation.
Cabotage means carrying goods or passengers between two points within a single EU member state using a vehicle registered in a different member state. Under EU rules, a Bulgarian carrier with a Community Licence may conduct up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days following an international laden journey into the host member state. After the cabotage operations, the vehicle must return to Bulgaria or conduct another international journey before further cabotage in the same host state. Cabotage rules are strictly enforced, particularly in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) is an international customs transit system that facilitates transport of goods across borders, including non-EU countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and others). A Bulgarian EU Community Licence does not automatically include TIR authorisation. To use TIR carnets, the carrier must be separately admitted to the TIR system by applying through the Bulgarian National Association of Road Carriers (AEBTRI). Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on TIR admission as part of the transport licensing process where needed.
For a well-prepared application with all documentation complete, IAMA typically processes Community Licence applications within 1–3 months. The fastest cases (small fleets, all documents in order, qualified transport manager already in place) can be processed within 4–6 weeks. Applications requiring supplementary information or where the transport manager’s CPC needs to be obtained first take longer. Bulgaria for Business VCC prepares complete applications to minimise processing time.
Under EU Regulation 1071/2009, if the transport manager leaves or is no longer genuinely linked to the company, the competent authority (IAMA) must be notified. The company has 6 months to appoint a replacement transport manager. If no replacement is appointed within 6 months, IAMA may suspend the Community Licence. During the 6-month period, in urgent cases, IAMA may grant a temporary authorisation allowing operations to continue — provided the company demonstrates it is actively seeking a qualified replacement.
Obtain your Bulgarian transport licence today
Free initial assessment — we confirm the right licence type, outline financial standing requirements, CPC options, and provide a fixed-fee proposal for the full application process.
Road freight
Passenger transport
International haulage
TIR advisory
EU Community Licence
Passenger transport
International haulage
TIR advisory
EU Community Licence
Bulgaria for Business VCC — Your Trusted Partner for Business Expansion into Bulgaria and the European Union. Transport licensing requirements, financial standing thresholds, and regulatory frameworks are correct as of 2024–2025 and are subject to legislative change. This document is for general information only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.