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Company Name Change

The company name is the calling card of every business. Its change may be driven by rebranding, change of ownership, merger, or simply a strategic decision for a new market image.

Requirements for the company name

According to the Commercial Act, the company name must be unique — it must not coincide with or be confusingly similar to an already registered name. The name must include the legal form of the company (LLC, sole-owner LLC, JSC, etc.) and must be written in Bulgarian.

Before filing the application, you can check the availability of the desired name in the Commercial Register database. If needed, the name may be reserved for a period of 6 months through a special application.

After the change

After registering the new name, you need to notify your servicing bank, business partners, and the local NRA directorate. The VIES system is updated automatically within a few days.

Timeline

The name change procedure takes the standard 5 business days for preparation and registration. If you choose to reserve the name in advance, this adds an additional day for filing the reservation application.

Required documents

  • General Meeting resolution
  • Updated articles of association
  • Declarations under Art. 13, para. 4 of the Commercial Register Act
  • Power of attorney (if a lawyer is authorised)
  • State fee
  • Name reservation certificate (if applicable)

Frequently asked questions

Can the name be in a foreign language?
The name must be written in Bulgarian. However, a transliteration or foreign-language version may be added as a supplementary version. For example: "Inovayrys" OOD with the addition "Innovires" Ltd. The foreign-language version is also registered in the Commercial Register.
What happens to contracts when the name changes?
The name change does not affect the validity of existing contracts. The company retains its UIC (Unified Identification Code), meaning that its legal entity remains the same. It is advisable to notify your business partners of the change and update your invoices and letterheads.
How much does a name reservation cost?
A name reservation involves a state fee, which is currently minimal. The reservation is for a period of 6 months and guarantees that no other company can register the same name during this period. If you do not file a registration application within the deadline, the reservation lapses.

Need assistance?

Our lawyers can help you with name verification, document preparation, and registration in the Commercial Register.

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Company Transformation

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