Open a company in Bulgaria
You want to open a company in Bulgaria (EOOD)?
Company Bulgaria
Open a company in Bulgaria
Want to open a company in Bulgaria and keep more of what you earn? You are in good company. Company formation in Bulgaria is fast, cheap and open to anyone, and you do not need to be a local to do it.
Our guide shows you how to register a company in Bulgaria step by step, how to open an EOOD (the single-owner limited company most people choose), and what it really costs to start a business in Bulgaria in 2026.
We cover Bulgarian company registration (In Varna) for EU and non-EU founders, how to open a company in Bulgaria as a foreigner, and why doing your company registration from Varna, with people who go with you in person, makes the whole thing painless.
How do you open a company in Bulgaria?
You choose a company name, prepare the incorporation documents, deposit the share capital (just €1 for an EOOD) in a Bulgarian bank, notarise the manager's signature, and file with the Commercial Register. Registration takes about 3 business days in person. You then get your company number, a business bank account and, if needed, VAT.
€1
Minimum share capital
3 days
To register in person
10%
Flat corporate tax
Which company type should you choose?
Most foreign founders pick an EOOD or OOD. Here is the quick version of your options:
EOOD (single-member limited company)
One owner, one director, full control, and your personal assets are protected. Minimum capital is a symbolic €1. This is what most freelancers, consultants and online businesses choose, and small companies are exempt from mandatory audits.
OOD (multi-member limited company)
The same as an EOOD, but with two or more shareholders. Same €1 minimum capital. Pick this if you are starting with a partner or plan to bring in co-founders.
AD or EAD (joint-stock company)
For larger businesses or those raising investment. The catch is the minimum capital of around €25,000 and a board requirement. For most small businesses this is overkill.
Branch or representative office
Already have a company abroad? A branch can trade under your parent company's name (which stays liable). A representative office cannot trade or earn revenue, it only supports market research and presence.
Can a foreigner open a company in Bulgaria?
Yes, and easily. Bulgarian law allows 100% foreign ownership with no nationality or residency restrictions, and you can appoint yourself as director. You do not need a Bulgarian partner. Whether you hold an EU passport or not, you can own and run a Bulgarian company. The only differences for non-EU founders come later, around residency and visas, which we cover below.
How to register a company in Bulgaria, step by step
- Choose and check your company name. Search the Commercial Register to confirm it is free and not misleading, then reserve it.
- Prepare the incorporation documents. Articles of Association (the founding act for an EOOD), the manager's appointment and consent, and a notarised specimen signature.
- Open a capital account and deposit the share capital. Deposit your capital (€1 minimum) into a temporary bank account. The bank issues a certificate you need to register.
- Notarise the signature. The manager's specimen signature is notarised. If you are abroad, this is done by power of attorney with apostilled documents.
- File with the Commercial Register. Submit everything online (around €28) or on paper (around €56). The register processes it within about 3 business days.
- Get your company number (UIC) and Bulstat. Your unique company ID doubles as your tax identification with the National Revenue Agency.
- Open a business bank account. Convert the capital account to an operating account, or open a new business account.
- Register for VAT if needed. VAT registration is required once turnover passes the threshold (around €51,130 in 2026). Below that it is optional.
- Sort any licences. Some activities (food, finance, healthcare, transport) need extra permits before you trade.
What does it cost?
What does it cost to open a company in Bulgaria?
| Scenario | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Doing it yourself, present in Bulgaria | €220 – €310 |
| With a registration agent, present | €400 – €800 |
| Remotely, via power of attorney | €800 – €1,500 |
Can you do it remotely?
Yes. You can register a Bulgarian company entirely through a notarised, apostilled power of attorney, without setting foot in the country. Your representative handles the banking and filings. The trade-off is time: remote setup usually takes two to four weeks instead of three days, because documents have to be shipped and legalised. Many founders prefer to come over for a couple of days and get it done fast.
Banking
The part nobody warns you about: banking
Here is the honest truth that the glossy guides skip. The single biggest hold-up for foreign founders is not the registration, it is the bank. Bulgarian banks can be cautious with foreigners and sometimes refuse the capital account outright, especially without local ties. Having Bulgarian residency or the right introduction makes a real difference. This is exactly where a vetted local bank contact, the kind we bring to the table, turns a week of frustration into a single appointment.
Tax: why people do this in the first place
Bulgaria taxes company profit at a flat 10%, and dividends at just 5%, among the lowest in the EU. There is no minimum corporate tax, so no profit means no corporate tax. VAT is 20% (with a reduced 9% for some goods). If you become a tax resident, personal income is also a flat 10%. We go deeper in our guides on the lowest tax in Europe and tax in Bulgaria.
After registration: accounting and compliance
A company is not just a one-off setup, it is an ongoing thing. You will need monthly bookkeeping, annual financial statements, and payroll if you employ anyone, plus VAT returns if you are registered. None of it is heavy by European standards, but it does need to be done properly and on time. We connect you with the same trusted accountant we use ourselves, so it simply runs in the background.
Visas: for non-EU founders
EU citizens can register and run a Bulgarian company with no visa at all. Non-EU founders have a few routes: a short-stay Type C visa is enough just to set things up and then manage remotely, while a long-stay Type D is for those who want to live here. There is also a start-up route and a new digital nomad option for remote workers. The right path depends on your nationality and plans. See our guides on getting a residence permit as an EU citizen and as a non-EU citizen.
Why do it from Varna, with us
You can open a Bulgarian company from anywhere. The question is how much of your time and sanity it costs. We are based in Varna, and we handle company registration here with our own notary, lawyer, accountant and bank contact, the people we use ourselves. A Bulgarian and English speaking guide goes with you to the bank and the notary, so nothing gets lost in translation and nothing gets rejected at the counter. You get your EOOD, your bank account and your accounting set up, in your own language, without the guesswork.
Please note: this page is general information about company formation in Bulgaria, not legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change, and your home country's rules matter too. We connect you with a qualified lawyer and accountant for advice specific to you.
It matters
Why this matters?
We started our own companies here, and we remember the parts that nearly broke us. The bank that said no with no reason. The notarised document that was not quite right. The week lost because one step happened before another. None of it was hard once you knew the order. The problem was that nobody told us the order.
So now we tell you, and better still, we walk it with you. We would rather you spend your energy on the business you came to build than on deciphering a counter clerk in Bulgarian. Getting set up should take days, not months. With the right people beside you, it does.
Some facts
- An EOOD needs just €1 (2 BGN) in minimum share capital.
- Registration takes about 3 business days in person, or 2 to 4 weeks remotely.
- Online filing at the Commercial Register costs around €28, paper filing around €56.
- Company profit is taxed at a flat 10%, dividends at 5%, and the VAT threshold is about €51,130.
"From up to 50% in parts of Western Europe down to a flat 10%, that is the gap many people close by basing themselves in Bulgaria."
Opening a company in Bulgaria, frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Bulgaria?
Yes. Bulgarian law allows 100% foreign ownership with no nationality or residency restrictions, and you can be your own director. You do not need a Bulgarian partner. EU and non-EU founders can both own and run a Bulgarian company.
How much does it cost to register a company in Bulgaria?
Doing it yourself in person can cost €220 to €310, with a registration agent €400 to €800, and remotely via power of attorney €800 to €1,500. On top of setup, budget for ongoing accounting and a registered address.
Do I need to travel to Bulgaria to open a company?
No. You can register entirely through a notarised, apostilled power of attorney while your representative handles banking and filings. That said, coming over for a couple of days is often faster and makes the bank step easier.
What is the difference between an EOOD and an OOD?
Only the number of shareholders. An EOOD has one, an OOD has two or more. Both have the same €1 minimum capital, the same liability protection and the same tax treatment. Choose EOOD for solo ventures, OOD for partnerships.
Do I need a Bulgarian bank account?
Yes, for registration you deposit the share capital in a Bulgarian bank to get the required certificate. Banks can be cautious with foreigners, so a local introduction helps. After incorporation you convert it to a business account.
Will I be taxed twice, here and at home?
Yes. Company registration is national, so your Bulgarian company can be based anywhere, including Varna. We handle the whole process here with our local notary, lawyer, accountant and bank contact, and go with you in person.
Ready to open your Bulgarian company?
We set up your EOOD, bank account and accounting from Varna, and go with you to every appointment. Book a free intro call and we will map out exactly how it works for you.
We help founders set up and run their Bulgarian company the right way, without the guesswork. Curious who we are? Read more about us and the trusted network we open up, including our lawyer and accountant, or see what we do. Want the full tax picture? Read our guides on tax in Bulgaria and the lowest tax in Europe, then get in touch.
