Bulgarian travel agency or tour operator businesses can be conducted only by Bulgarian companies that are listed in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agent and who have a license. The license is obtained upon filing an application by the candidate together with a number of documents confirming that the applicant matches the criteria specified in Bulgarian legislation. Here you can find some of the general legal requirements.
Bulgarian companies and/or Legal entities entitled to conduct business under any other law of an EU member state country or another country within the European Economic Area have the opportunity to register as full-service providers or online providers of tour operator or travel agency/tour operator services. The second option is relatively easier. Tour operators and agents that offer only online services benefit from a simpler registration regime and fewer application documents for their listing.
There is a state fee payable upon application is EUR 250 for reviewing applicant’s documentation and EUR 1000 for the permit when it is issued for agents or EUR 1 750 for tour operators.
Generally, the requirements can be classified into 5 groups:
- Requirements for the professional qualification, education, and experience of the person who will manage the Bulgarian tour operator or tourist agent activity. Mainly it needs to have a manager who has experience in the field (higher education in tourism). The manager must speak Bulgarian and at least one foreign language. There are also requirements for the staff – education, languages, etc.
Travel agencies that sell air tickets must have at least one person with IATA certificate.
Requirements to the staff – education, language skills and work experience
- Requirements to the premises (front office) where the business will be physically conducted;
Requirements related to the insurance of the tour operator/tour agent in Bulgaria. There is an option for a company in Bulgaria to offer its services only online. In that case, there are no office requirements but there are requirements about the domain name and web page.
Additionally to the above, the applicant must show preliminary contract for insurance; proof that it is not under a liquidation or insolvency procedure; it has not operated as a tour operator or travel agent without a license for the last 12 months; its certificate for registration has not been canceled for the last 12 months. Travel agents in Bulgaria need a permit.
Carrying out tour operator or travel agent activity without a certificate of registration is considered an administrative offense and is subject to fines ranging from BGN 500 to BGN 20 000.
Innovires professional and experienced team will take care of the entire procedure of obtaining the Registration of Tour Operators and Travel agent in Bulgaria. Please feel free to contact us.
