Expanding into new services? Pivoting your business model? Adding e-commerce to a consulting company? Changing the business activity (предмет на дейност) of a Bulgarian company is a straightforward Trade Registry amendment. No notary is required, the state fee is EUR 15, and the entire process takes 1-3 business days. However, if your new activity requires a license or permit, the regulatory layer adds complexity. This guide walks you through every step: when you need to file, what documents to prepare, how NACE codes work, which activities require licenses, and what to update after the change is registered.
When to Change Your Business Activity
The business activity (предмет на дейност) is one of the mandatory entries in the Trade Registry. It describes what your company does. You need to amend it when the description in your Founding Act no longer covers the activities your company actually performs — or plans to perform.
Here are the most common triggers for filing an activity change.
- Expanding services: You started as a consulting firm and now want to add software development, design services, or training. If your current Founding Act is narrowly worded, the new services may not be covered.
- Pivoting the business: The company is moving from one industry to another — for example, from retail trade to IT services. The registered activity needs to reflect the new direction.
- Adding e-commerce: Many companies originally registered for offline trade add online sales. If your Founding Act only mentions "trade" without specifying "electronic commerce" or "online sales," updating it ensures full coverage.
- Licensing requirements: Certain activities — transport, financial services, food production, pharmaceuticals — require regulatory licenses. The licensing authority may require that the specific activity appears in the Trade Registry before issuing the license.
- EU funding and grants: Many EU-funded programs require the applicant's registered NACE code to match the eligible activity. If your company's registered activity does not align with the grant requirements, you may need to update it before applying.
- Insurance and regulatory compliance: Your social security insurance class is determined by the company's registered economic activity (NACE code). If the actual activity differs from the registered one, this can create issues with the National Revenue Agency (NRA).
Pro tip: Many Bulgarian companies avoid repeated amendments by using a broad activity description in the Founding Act from the start — for example, "consulting services, trade, import-export, IT services, marketing, management, and any other lawful activity not prohibited by law." This catch-all clause is perfectly legal and widely used. If your company already has such a broad description, you may not need to file an amendment at all. Check your current Founding Act first.
Step-by-Step Process
Changing your company's business activity follows the same general procedure as any Trade Registry amendment. Here are the five steps.
- Review the current Founding Act. Start by checking the current activity description in your Founding Act (for an EOOD) or Company Agreement (for an OOD). You can find the current version in the Trade Registry portal under your company's file. Determine whether the existing description already covers the new activity — if it includes a broad catch-all clause, an amendment may not be necessary.
- Adopt the sole owner decision (EOOD) or General Assembly resolution (OOD). For an EOOD, the sole owner issues a written decision to amend the business activity. For an OOD, the General Assembly passes a resolution. The decision must state the current activity, the new activity description, and authorize the amendment of the Founding Act. This decision does not require notarization — changing the business activity is not among the decisions listed in Article 137(4) of the Commercial Act that require notarized signatures and content.
- Amend the Founding Act. Your lawyer prepares an updated Founding Act (or Company Agreement) with the new activity description. The amended document must be a complete, current version — the Trade Registry requires the full text, not just the changed clause. The amendment is in simple written form.
- Prepare the filing package. Your lawyer assembles: (1) Application Form A4, (2) the sole owner decision or GA resolution, (3) the amended Founding Act, (4) a declaration of true circumstances under the Commercial Register Act, and (5) proof of state fee payment — EUR 15 for electronic filing or EUR 30 for paper filing.
- File with the Trade Registry. Your lawyer submits the application electronically using a qualified electronic signature (KEP). The registrar reviews the filing and, if everything is in order, registers the change within 1-3 business days. The updated activity description immediately appears in the public Trade Registry database.
KEP is mandatory for e-filing: All electronic filings with the Trade Registry require a qualified electronic signature (KEP). Your lawyer uses their own KEP to file on your behalf. You do not need a personal KEP for this amendment. If your lawyer holds a Power of Attorney covering corporate amendments, the entire process can be handled remotely — no need to visit Bulgaria.
Documents Needed
The document requirements for an activity change are identical to most simple Trade Registry amendments. No notarization is needed for any of the documents.
| # | Document | Notarization | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sole owner decision / GA resolution | Not required | Written decision approving the new activity description and authorizing the Founding Act amendment |
| 2 | Amended Founding Act / Company Agreement | Not required | Updated to reflect the new business activity. Must be the complete current version of the document |
| 3 | Application Form A4 | Not required | Standard Trade Registry form for registering changes to an existing company. Completed in Bulgarian |
| 4 | Declaration of true circumstances | Not required | Standard declaration under the Commercial Register Act attesting that the submitted information is accurate |
| 5 | State fee payment | N/A | EUR 15 electronic / EUR 30 paper. Payment receipt or electronic confirmation attached to the application |
Bundle your amendments: If you are planning other changes — such as updating your registered address, company name, or manager — consider filing them together with the activity change in a single application. You pay the state fee only once (EUR 15), regardless of how many changes are included. This saves both time and money.
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Get a Fixed-Price Quote →NACE Codes (КИД) in Bulgaria
NACE codes — known in Bulgaria as КИД (Класификация на Икономическите Дейности) — are the standardized system for classifying business activities across the EU. Bulgaria's national version is called НКИД (Национална Класификация на Икономическите Дейности) and is maintained by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
What are NACE codes?
NACE codes are alphanumeric codes organized in a four-level hierarchy: Sections (letters), Divisions (2 digits), Groups (3 digits), and Classes (4 digits). For example, code 62.01 covers "Computer programming activities." Every company in Bulgaria is assigned a primary NACE code based on its main economic activity.
НКИД 2025 update
Bulgaria introduced НКИД 2025 on January 1, 2025, aligning with the EU's NACE Rev. 2.1 classification. This update added 36 new activity classes and restructured some existing sections. Companies that declared a NACE code under the old НКИД 2008 system should review the correspondence tables published by the NSI to verify that their registered code is still correct under the new classification.
Do you need a NACE code in the Founding Act?
No. Bulgarian law does not require you to include a specific NACE code in the Founding Act or Company Agreement. The Founding Act describes the business activity in words (free-text description), not by NACE code. The NACE code is used primarily by the NSI for statistical classification purposes and by the NRA for tax administration.
However, there are practical reasons to be aware of your NACE code.
- EU funding: Grant programs typically require the applicant's NACE code to match eligible activities
- Social security: The employer's insurance contribution class is determined by the company's registered NACE code — higher-risk activities (construction, transport) have higher minimum insurance thresholds
- Statistical reporting: The NSI uses NACE codes for economic surveys and statistical indicators
- Banking and compliance: Banks may reference your NACE code during account opening or due diligence
Where to find NACE codes: The full НКИД 2025 classification is published on the NSI website at nsi.bg. You can also search NACE codes at classification.codes. If you are unsure which code best matches your new activity, your accountant or lawyer can advise.
Licensed Activities
The Trade Registry will register your new business activity without checking whether it requires a license or permit. It is entirely the company's responsibility to obtain the necessary authorizations before actually performing the activity. Operating a licensed activity without the required permit can result in administrative fines, criminal penalties, and forced cessation of operations.
Here are the most common activity categories that require licenses or permits in Bulgaria.
- Transport: Road transport of goods or passengers requires a license from the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration." Financial stability requirements apply — EUR 9,000 for the first vehicle and EUR 5,000 for each additional vehicle.
- Financial services: Banking, insurance, investment activities, and payment services require authorization from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) or the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).
- Food production and retail: Food businesses must register with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) at the relevant Regional Directorate. This includes restaurants, food retailers, food manufacturers, and catering companies.
- Pharmaceuticals: Operating a pharmacy requires a license from the Bulgarian Drug Agency and the Regional Health Inspectorate. At least one registered master pharmacist must serve as manager.
- Construction: Construction companies performing certain categories of work must be inscribed in the Central Professional Register of Builders (CPRB).
- Tourism: Tour operators and travel agents must be registered in the National Tourism Register maintained by the Ministry of Tourism.
- Security services: Private security companies require a license from the Ministry of Interior.
Important: Registering a licensed activity in the Trade Registry does not grant you the right to perform it. The license or permit must be obtained separately from the relevant regulatory authority. Plan your licensing timeline before you start operating — some licenses (particularly in finance and transport) can take several months to obtain.
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Book a Free Consultation →After the Change: What to Update
Once the Trade Registry approves the activity change, the new description is officially registered and publicly visible. Here is what happens next — and what you need to do manually.
Automatically Updated
- NRA (National Revenue Agency): The NRA receives automatic data updates from the Trade Registry. You do not need to file a separate notification. Your EIK, VAT number (if applicable), and tax registration remain unchanged.
- NSI (National Statistical Institute): Statistical registrations update automatically based on Trade Registry data.
Must Be Updated Manually
- Accountant notification: Inform your accountant immediately. The new activity may affect your NACE code for statistical and tax reporting purposes, your social security insurance class, and your VAT treatment if the new activity involves exempt supplies.
- Social security insurance class: Your company's employer social security contributions are determined by the registered NACE code. If the new activity falls into a different risk category — for example, switching from IT consulting (low risk) to construction (high risk) — the minimum insurable income thresholds and contribution rates may change. Your accountant will adjust the payroll accordingly.
- VAT implications: Changing the activity description in the Trade Registry does not affect your VAT registration status. However, if the new activity involves VAT-exempt supplies (financial services, insurance, medical services, education), this may affect your input VAT deduction rights and reporting obligations. Consult your accountant.
- Invoices: If your invoices display the business activity description, update your invoice templates. Bulgarian invoices are not required to show the business activity, but some companies include it voluntarily.
- Licenses and permits: If your new activity requires a license, begin the licensing process immediately. Do not start performing the activity until the license is in place.
- Contracts: Existing contracts remain valid. However, if any contracts reference the company's specific activity or scope, consider notifying the counterparty.
- Bank: Some banks require notification of significant changes to the company's business activity, particularly if the new activity falls into a higher-risk category from a compliance perspective.
For a comprehensive overview of all ongoing obligations, see our guide on EOOD annual obligations in Bulgaria.
"Can I just do this myself?" Technically, yes — if you have a Bulgarian KEP (qualified electronic signature), are comfortable preparing legal documents in Bulgarian, and understand the Trade Registry filing requirements. In practice, most business owners use a lawyer because: (1) all documents and the application must be in Bulgarian, (2) an error means the state fee is forfeited and you must re-file with a new payment, (3) a lawyer can review whether your existing Founding Act already covers the new activity (avoiding an unnecessary amendment), and (4) a lawyer can bundle the activity change with other amendments in a single filing for one EUR 15 state fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing business activity require notarization?
How much does it cost to change a company's business activity?
Do I need to include a NACE code in my Founding Act?
Can I add multiple business activities?
Does the Trade Registry check if my new activity requires a license?
Does changing activity affect my VAT registration?
Is the NRA automatically notified of the activity change?
Can my lawyer handle the activity change remotely?
Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on changing a company's business activity in Bulgaria based on current legislation as of April 2026. Specific requirements may vary depending on company type, the nature of the activity, and licensing requirements. All fees are in EUR (Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026). This article does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified Bulgarian lawyer. Last updated: April 8, 2026.