COREDO > Company Formation in Bulgaria

Company Formation in Bulgaria

Why Register a Company in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the most attractive EU jurisdictions for international business, offering a 10% corporate tax rate — the lowest in the European Union. Bulgaria offers a strategic location between Europe and Asia, simplified company registration, and a favourable environment for foreign investors.

Developed infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and an extensive double taxation treaty network make Bulgaria a popular jurisdiction for international projects

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Types of Companies in Bulgaria

Foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in Bulgaria in one of the following legal forms.

EOOD (Ednolicho druzhestvo s ogranichena otgovornost)

A single-member limited liability company. The most popular form among foreign investors. The minimum share capital is EUR 1. The company is managed by the sole owner or an appointed director. This form is optimal for small and medium-sized businesses.

OOD (Druzhestvo s ogranichena otgovornost)

A limited liability company with two or more founders. The minimum share capital is EUR 1. Suitable for joint ventures and partnership projects. The company is managed by one or more directors.

AD (Aktsionerno druzhestvo)

A joint-stock company. Designed for large enterprises. The minimum share capital for a closed AD is EUR 25,000, and for a public AD — EUR 50,000. Suitable for companies planning to attract significant investment.

SD (Sabiratelno druzhestvo)

A general partnership. Requires at least two partners who bear unlimited liability for the company’s obligations.

KD (Komanditno druzhestvo)

A limited partnership. Combines partners with full and limited liability. The company name must include the surname of one of the general partners.

ET (Ednolichen targovets)

A sole trader. Only one ET registration is permitted per individual. Recommended for small businesses with a limited scale of operations. The entrepreneur bears unlimited liability for business obligations.

The most popular forms among foreign investors are EOOD and OOD, as they provide limited liability for founders, require minimal share capital, and allow a flexible management structure.

Company Registration Procedure

Legal entities in Bulgaria are registered through the Commercial Register (Targovski registar), maintained by the Registry Agency (Agentsia po vpisvaniyata) under the Ministry of Justice. Applications can be submitted both in paper form and electronically through the EPZEU system.

The main registration steps include: preparation of the memorandum of association and the company’s articles of association, verification of the company name’s uniqueness in the Commercial Register, opening a bank account and depositing the share capital, filing the application and document package with the Commercial Register, and obtaining the registration number and tax registration.

Bulgaria imposes no residency requirements on founders or directors. Personal presence during registration is not required — the procedure can be completed through an authorised representative with a notarised power of attorney. Notarisation of founding documents can be performed either in Bulgaria or in another country, followed by apostille certification. Applications to the Commercial Register can be submitted electronically through the EPZEU system, significantly accelerating the process for foreign founders.

Required Documents

To register a company in Bulgaria, the following documents are required:

the memorandum of association and the company’s articles of association specifying the company name, registered office address, share capital amount, and business activities;

identity documents of the founders and directors (passport or ID card);

proof of a registered office address in Bulgaria (lease agreement or the property owner’s consent);

a resolution appointing the director and the director’s written consent to the appointment;

confirmation of the share capital deposit into a bank account;

a declaration of the ultimate beneficial owners.

Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Bulgarian and certified in accordance with established procedures. Foreign documents require apostille certification under the Hague Convention. All documents are submitted to the Commercial Register together with a receipt confirming payment of the state registration fee.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account is a mandatory step in company registration in Bulgaria, as the share capital must be deposited into a bank account before filing the application with the Commercial Register. The Bulgarian banking sector is well developed and includes major international banking groups. After company registration, the bank account is used for operational activities, tax payments, and settlements with counterparties. With the adoption of the euro in 2026, settlements with partners from other eurozone countries have become significantly simpler and cheaper thanks to SEPA transfers without currency conversion.

Registration Timeline

The standard registration period for a new legal entity in Bulgaria is one to two weeks, provided a complete set of documents is prepared. When the application is submitted electronically through the EPZEU system, the processing time may be reduced. Upon completion of registration, the company receives a Unified Identification Code (EIK), which simultaneously serves as the tax number and the social security system number. This simplifies administrative procedures and allows the company to commence business operations immediately.

Post-Registration Obligations

After registration, the company must register with the National Revenue Agency (NAP) and the National Social Security Institute. All registered legal entities in Bulgaria are required to maintain accounting records in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or National Accounting Standards. Companies must file annual financial statements with the Commercial Register and an annual tax return with the NAP. When hiring employees, the employer must pay social contributions and register employment contracts in accordance with the established procedure.

Service Costs

The cost of company formation services in Bulgaria depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the corporate structure, and the scope of additional requirements. To receive a personalised estimate, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed commercial proposal tailored to your specific situation and business objectives.

Bulgaria's Tax System

Bulgaria offers one of the most attractive tax systems in the European Union. The corporate income tax (CIT) rate is 10% — the lowest among all EU member states, in effect since 2007. The dividend tax rate is 5%. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates available for certain industries.

Mandatory VAT registration is required once the annual turnover exceeds EUR 51,130 (2026 threshold). Voluntary VAT registration is also possible before reaching this threshold, which can be beneficial for companies working with EU counterparties. Bulgaria has concluded double taxation treaties with more than 70 countries, creating favourable conditions for international business and preventing double taxation of income earned abroad. The tax year coincides with the calendar year, and the annual tax return is due by 30 June of the following year. Advance corporate tax payments are made monthly or quarterly, depending on the company’s turnover.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been working since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company registration across various European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with COREDO since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Has been with COREDO since June 2022, specialising in legal support for company registration and structuring across various jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the founder need to be a resident of Bulgaria to register a company?

No, Bulgaria imposes no residency requirements on founders or directors. Foreign nationals can register a company on the same terms as country residents. Personal presence during registration is not required.

What is the minimum share capital required to register an OOD/EOOD?

Since Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro in 2026, the minimum share capital for OOD and EOOD is EUR 1. For a joint-stock company (AD), the minimum capital is significantly higher: EUR 25,000 for a closed AD and EUR 50,000 for a public AD.

How long does it take to register a company in Bulgaria?

With a complete set of documents, registration takes one to two weeks. The process includes filing an application with the Commercial Register, document verification, and issuance of the registration number (EIK).

What tax advantages does Bulgaria offer?

Bulgaria has the lowest corporate tax rate in the EU at 10%. The dividend tax is 5%. The country has concluded double taxation treaties with more than 70 countries, and since 2026 it has adopted the euro, eliminating currency risks.

What obligations does a company have after registration in Bulgaria?

After registration, the company must register with the National Revenue Agency, maintain accounting records in accordance with national or international standards, file annual financial statements with the Commercial Register, and submit a tax return to the NAP. Once the annual turnover exceeds EUR 51,130, the company must register as a VAT payer.

Can COREDO fully support the registration process?

Yes, the COREDO team provides full support for company registration in Bulgaria — from preparing the founding documents to obtaining the registration number and tax registration. We have been working since 2016 and possess practical experience across dozens of jurisdictions.

Contact Us

Submit an enquiry, and our specialists will contact you to discuss company registration in Bulgaria. We will prepare a personalised commercial proposal based on the chosen legal form, your business specifics, and any additional requirements. The COREDO team handles every stage of the process — from document preparation to obtaining the registration number.