Bulgaria · Guide
Bulgaria registers companies through the Commercial Register of the Registry Agency, online or at a counter. The state fee is small: EUR 28.12 online for an EOOD, or EUR 56.24 on paper. What takes time is everything before filing: a bank account for the capital, a notarised consent from the manager, and, for a founder abroad, apostilled documents with certified Bulgarian translations.
This guide sets out the steps in order, the official fees in euro, and the points where foreign registrations stall.
Before you start: three decisions
- The form. For a single founder, an EOOD; with partners, an OOD. See company types in Bulgaria.
- The manager. Who will represent the company, and whether they can sign before a notary in person or abroad.
- The address. A registered address in Bulgaria, written exactly as the administrative division requires, with proof of the right to use it if rented.
3 questions
Which jurisdiction fits you?Answer three questions and get the three jurisdictions that match your situation.
The steps, in order
- 1Check the nameAgainst the Commercial Register
- 2Draft the founding actSigned by the sole owner
- 3Manager's consentNotarised, with specimen signature
- 4Capital accountDeposit at least EUR 1, get the bank certificate
- 5DeclarationsStatutory declarations and beneficial owner
- 6File form A4Online EUR 28.12 or on paper EUR 56.24
- 7RegistrationUnified identification code (UIC)
- 8Unblock the accountCollection account becomes current account
1. Name and founding act
Check that the name is free in the Commercial Register. For an EOOD, the sole owner signs a founding act, with the company's name, seat and management address, object, capital and manager.
2. The manager's consent
The manager's consent and specimen signature must be notarised (Commerce Act, Article 141(3)). A foreign manager can sign before a notary abroad, then have the document apostilled and translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator.
3. The capital account
Before filing, the capital is paid into a collection account at a Bulgarian bank, which issues a certificate the registry requires. This is often the first real hurdle.
- Minimum deposit: EUR 1 for an EOOD.
- Opening fee: advisers report EUR 150 to 460 for foreign nationals, against EUR 10 to 20 for Bulgarians.
- Checks: some banks ask for in-person presence and proof of funds.
- After registration: the account is converted into the company's current account.
4. Declarations
The application comes with statutory declarations by the manager and, where the beneficial owner is not simply the registered sole owner, a beneficial owner declaration.
5. Filing and fees
The registry's fee schedule, published on 7 January 2026, still states amounts in lev. At the fixed rate of 1.95583:
| Registration | Online | On paper |
|---|---|---|
| EOOD or OOD | BGN 55, EUR 28.12 | BGN 110, EUR 56.24 |
| AD or EAD | BGN 180, EUR 92.03 | BGN 360, EUR 184.07 |
| Branch of a foreign trader | BGN 170, EUR 86.92 | BGN 340, EUR 173.84 |
| Sole trader | BGN 15, EUR 7.67 | BGN 30, EUR 15.34 |
28.12 or 28.13: the euro conversion
Some guides quote EUR 28.13 for online registration. The tariff says BGN 55, and 55 divided by 1.95583 is 28.121, so EUR 28.12. The Registry Agency states that fees are converted and rounded under the Euro Introduction Act; check its calculator on the day you file.
6. After registration
- The UIC (unified identification code) serves as the company's registration, BULSTAT and tax number.
- The collection account is converted into a current account.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover in Bulgaria exceeds EUR 51,130, reported from 1 January 2026; see the compliance guide.
- Staff must be registered with the revenue agency before they start.
The real timeline
- Week 1Documents signed and apostilled abroad
- Week 1 to 2Certified Bulgarian translations, capital account opened
- Day XForm A4 filed online
- Day X + 1 to 3Registration and UIC
- Week 2 to 3Account unblocked, VAT and payroll set up
| Stage | Who controls it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille and translation | Your country, then a certified translator | Days to two weeks |
| Capital account | The bank | Days, longer for enhanced checks |
| Registry decision | Registry Agency | One to three working days online |
| Total from abroad | Seven to fourteen working days |
Where foreign registrations stall
- The bank will not open the capital account without a visit or proof of funds.
- The manager's signature was not notarised, or the apostille is missing.
- The translation was not done by a certified translator.
- The address does not match the administrative division, or there is no proof of the right to use it.
- An older company bought off the shelf has not redenominated its capital in euro.
The bottom line
A Bulgarian EOOD costs EUR 28.12 in state fees online and is registered within days. Before filing, budget one to two weeks for the notarised manager consent, apostilles, certified translations and, above all, the capital account, which is where foreign founders most often wait.
corpsec prepares the founding documents, provides the registered address and files with the Registry Agency. See the Bulgaria formation service, or read what the company costs to set up and run.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a company in Bulgaria?
The state fee is BGN 55, EUR 28.12, for an EOOD or OOD filed online, or BGN 110, EUR 56.24, on paper. Notary, translation, bank and adviser fees come on top.
How long does it take to register a company in Bulgaria?
One to three working days at the registry once filed online. From abroad, advisers report seven to fourteen working days including documents and the capital account.
Can a foreigner register a Bulgarian company remotely?
Yes, through a Bulgarian lawyer holding a notarised, apostilled power of attorney. The capital account is the step most likely to require a visit.
Do I need to deposit capital before registering?
Yes. The capital, at least EUR 1 for an EOOD, is paid into a collection account, and the bank's certificate is filed with the application.
What is the UIC in Bulgaria?
The unified identification code issued on registration. It serves as the company's registry number, BULSTAT and tax identification number.
When must a Bulgarian company register for VAT?
When taxable turnover in Bulgaria exceeds EUR 51,130, the threshold reported from 1 January 2026. Voluntary registration is possible earlier.
Sources
- Registry Agency, Tariff of state fees (version published 7 January 2026): first registration of an OOD or EOOD BGN 55 online or BGN 110 on paper, joint-stock company BGN 180 or 360, branch of a foreign trader BGN 170 or 340
- European Central Bank, 8 July 2025: fixed conversion rate of 1.95583 lev per euro from 1 January 2026
- Innovires, Register an EOOD in Bulgaria (2026): steps, documents, notarised manager consent, capital account, beneficial owner declaration, timelines and apostille requirements
- Chambers Corporate Governance 2026, Bulgaria: forms of company and EUR 1 minimum capital for an EOOD
Official, read on 26 October 2026: the Registry Agency's tariff of state fees as published on 7 January 2026, which still states amounts in lev; euro amounts in this guide are conversions at the fixed rate of 1.95583 set by the ECB and Council, and the Agency states that fees are converted and rounded under the Euro Introduction Act. Market practice, not law: the order of steps, the declarations filed, bank fees for foreigners and timelines, as described by Innovires and other Bulgarian advisers. Some guides quote EUR 28.13 online; the conversion of BGN 55 gives EUR 28.12. Check the Agency's fee calculator on the day you file. This is not legal advice.