Bulgaria Company Registration Cost: Full Breakdown in EUR (2026)

How much does it actually cost to register a company in Bulgaria in 2026? Most guides give you a vague "EUR 500-1,000" range without explaining what that includes. As a Bulgarian law firm that handles company formations every week, we are going to give you the full, honest breakdown — every government fee, every professional charge, and every hidden cost that most articles conveniently leave out. Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, so all figures in this guide are in EUR.

The short answer: a straightforward EOOD (single-member LLC) registration in Bulgaria costs between EUR 800 and EUR 1,500 total, depending on whether you handle parts yourself, use a lawyer, or opt for a full-service package. Below, we break down every line item so you know exactly where your money goes.

Government Fees

Government fees are the one category where there is no ambiguity. These are fixed amounts set by the Bulgarian Registry Agency and apply equally to everyone.

Trade Registry Filing Fee

The state fee for registering a new company (EOOD or OOD) in the Commercial Register is:

• EUR 28 for electronic filing (recommended)
• EUR 56 for paper filing

Electronic filing is half the price, processed faster (1-3 business days vs 3-5 for paper), and is the standard approach when a lawyer handles your registration. There is no reason to file on paper unless you specifically cannot use the electronic system.

Notary Fees

Bulgarian company registration requires notarization of the manager's specimen signature. Notary fees in Bulgaria are regulated and modest:

• Specimen signature notarization: EUR 5-10 per signature
• Document certification (if needed): EUR 5-15 per page
• Total notary costs in Bulgaria: EUR 10-30 for a standard EOOD registration

If you are registering remotely, notary costs are higher because you must notarize documents in your home country (EUR 50-150 depending on the country) and obtain an apostille (EUR 20-80). These costs vary significantly by jurisdiction — German notary fees, for instance, are considerably higher than French or Spanish ones.

Capital Deposit

The minimum share capital for an EOOD is EUR 1. At least 70% of the declared capital must be deposited in a Bulgarian bank accumulation account before filing. For a EUR 1 company, this means depositing EUR 1. There is no advantage to registering with higher capital for most service-based businesses — banks and clients do not judge your company by its registered capital amount.

Professional Fees

Professional fees represent the largest portion of your registration budget. Here is what to expect.

Lawyer Fees

A Bulgarian lawyer handling your EOOD registration will typically charge EUR 400-900, depending on complexity:

• Basic registration (you are in Bulgaria, straightforward case): EUR 400-600. This includes drafting the Founding Act, all declarations, Trade Registry filing, and obtaining your UIC.
• Remote registration via Power of Attorney: EUR 600-900. Additional work includes preparing and coordinating the PoA, handling the bank account opening on your behalf, and managing the apostille process.
• Complex cases (multiple shareholders, specific license requirements, non-EU founders): EUR 700-900+. Anything beyond a standard single-owner EOOD adds complexity and cost.

Some firms advertise "EUR 180 company registration" — but read the fine print. These typically cover only the document preparation, excluding state fees, notary costs, bank account assistance, and the registered address. By the time you add everything, you are at EUR 500-800 anyway, but with a cheaper provider who may not speak your language or handle complications.

Accountant Setup Fee

Some accountants charge a one-time onboarding fee of EUR 50-150 to set up your company in their accounting software, register you with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) system, and configure your chart of accounts. Many accountants waive this fee if you commit to a monthly service contract. Always ask upfront.

Power of Attorney (Remote Registration)

If you cannot come to Bulgaria in person, the Power of Attorney process adds approximately EUR 100-250 in costs:

• Notary in your home country: EUR 50-150 (varies by country)
• Apostille stamp: EUR 20-80 (varies by country)
• Courier shipping (DHL/FedEx): EUR 40-80 within Europe

This is the trade-off for not traveling to Bulgaria. You save on flights and hotels but pay more for document legalization. For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide on registering a company in Bulgaria as an EU citizen.

Bank Account Costs

Bank account costs are where most guides get it wrong — or leave out critical information entirely. Here is the reality.

Capital Accumulation Account

Before registering your company, you must open a temporary capital accumulation account (nabiratelna smetka) at a Bulgarian bank and deposit the share capital. This account is specifically for holding the capital until the company is registered. Opening this account is typically free or costs a minimal fee (EUR 0-20). The bank issues a deposit certificate that you submit with your Trade Registry application.

Corporate Current Account (KYC Fees)

After your company is registered, you convert the accumulation account into a full corporate current account — or open a new one. This is where the real costs appear:

• KYC (Know Your Customer) review fee: EUR 100-500, non-refundable
• Processing time: Approximately 1 week for KYC review
• Monthly maintenance fee: EUR 5-15
• Debit card issuance: EUR 5-15
• Online banking setup: Usually free or EUR 5-10

Best Banks for Foreign Founders

Based on our experience handling corporate account openings every week, we recommend:

• DSK Bank (part of OTP Group) — Generally the most foreigner-friendly. Reasonable KYC fees, accepts Power of Attorney for accumulation accounts, English-speaking staff at central branches in Sofia.
• UniCredit Bulbank (part of UniCredit Group) — Strong international banking infrastructure, good for companies that need SWIFT transfers and trade finance. Slightly higher fees but excellent service quality.

Both banks now operate exclusively in EUR following Bulgaria's euro adoption. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on opening a bank account in Bulgaria as an EU citizen.

Can You Use a Fintech Instead?

For the initial capital accumulation account, you must use a licensed Bulgarian bank — the Trade Registry does not accept fintech deposit certificates. However, after registration, a fintech (Wise, Revolut Business, Mercury) can serve as your primary operational account. Many founders open the mandatory Bulgarian bank account for compliance, then run daily operations through a fintech with better fees, multi-currency support, and modern interfaces. This is perfectly legal and increasingly common.

Registered Address Costs

Every Bulgarian company must have a registered address (sedalishte i adres na upravlenie). This does not need to be a physical office — a virtual address is perfectly acceptable and used by the majority of foreign-founded companies.

Virtual Office

A virtual office in Sofia provides a registered address, mail handling, and the mandatory landlord consent letter for the Trade Registry. Costs:

• Basic virtual address: EUR 15-25/month (EUR 180-300/year)
• Premium virtual address (mail scanning, phone forwarding): EUR 25-40/month (EUR 300-480/year)
• Co-working membership with address: EUR 50-150/month

Law Firm Address

Some law firms (including ours) offer their office address as your company's registered address as part of a full-service registration package. This is convenient because the firm handles all correspondence from the Trade Registry, tax authorities, and banks on your behalf. Typical cost: EUR 15-30/month, often bundled with the legal fees.

Whichever option you choose, ensure the provider gives you a written consent letter (signed by the property owner or authorized representative) — the Trade Registry will reject your application without it.

Total Cost Scenarios

Here are three realistic scenarios showing what you will actually pay. These are based on hundreds of registrations we have handled over the years.

Scenario 1: DIY (Budget)

You speak Bulgarian (or have a Bulgarian partner), prepare documents yourself, file electronically, and handle the bank account in person. This is the cheapest route but realistic only if you are fluent in Bulgarian and comfortable navigating bureaucratic processes. The Trade Registry rejects applications with formatting errors — and there is no fee refund for rejected filings.

Scenario 2: Lawyer-Assisted (Most Common)

You are physically in Bulgaria and hire a lawyer to prepare all documents and file on your behalf. You visit the bank and notary yourself. This is the sweet spot for most founders — professional document preparation eliminates rejection risk, while you handle the in-person steps to save on costs. Expected total: EUR 800-1,200.

Scenario 3: Full Remote Package

You are outside Bulgaria and want everything handled for you: documents, Power of Attorney coordination, bank account, registered address, and accountant introduction. This is the most expensive option but the most convenient — especially if you cannot travel to Bulgaria. Expected total: EUR 1,200-1,500.

Ongoing Annual Costs

Registration is a one-time expense. The ongoing costs of maintaining a Bulgarian EOOD are equally important to understand before you commit.

Accounting: Your Largest Ongoing Expense

Bulgarian law requires all companies to maintain double-entry bookkeeping, file monthly social security declarations (if paying salaries), submit advance corporate tax declarations, and publish annual financial statements in the Trade Registry by June 30. In practice, this means hiring a licensed accountant.

Monthly accounting fees depend primarily on transaction volume:

• Micro company (0-20 documents/month): EUR 100-150/month
• Small company (20-50 documents/month): EUR 150-200/month
• VAT-registered company: Add EUR 30-80/month for VAT compliance
• Company with employees: Add EUR 20-40/employee/month for payroll

An EOOD with one owner-director, no employees, and fewer than 20 monthly transactions will typically pay EUR 100-150/month for accounting. This is one of the lowest accounting costs in the EU.

What Happens If You Have No Activity?

Even a dormant company must file an annual declaration of inactivity and publish a financial statement. Your accountant still needs to handle this (some offer reduced rates for dormant companies, around EUR 50-80/month). You cannot simply "ignore" a registered company — failure to file results in fines of EUR 100-1,500.

Hidden Costs Most Guides Don't Mention

After registering hundreds of companies for foreign founders, we know exactly which costs catch people off guard. Here are the ones no one tells you about.

1. Bank KYC Fees (EUR 100-500)

We have mentioned this above, but it bears repeating because it is the single biggest surprise for new founders. Bulgarian banks charge a non-refundable KYC review fee before opening a corporate account. This fee covers the bank's compliance department reviewing your identity documents, company documents, business plan, and source of funds declaration. The fee is payable upfront and is not returned if the bank declines to open the account. Budget EUR 100-300 for DSK Bank or UniCredit Bulbank, and up to EUR 500 for some smaller banks or complex ownership structures.

2. Notary and Apostille Costs for Remote Registration

If you register remotely, you will pay notary fees in your home country (which may be substantially higher than Bulgarian notary fees) plus apostille charges. In Germany, notary fees for certifying signatures on corporate documents can reach EUR 100-150. In the Netherlands, expect EUR 50-100. Add the apostille fee (EUR 20-80 depending on the country) and courier costs (EUR 40-80 for DHL within Europe).

3. Accountant Switching Costs

If you are unhappy with your first accountant and need to switch, the transition involves a formal handover of accounting records, re-registration with the NRA under the new accountant's credentials, and potential re-entry of data into the new accountant's software. Some accountants charge an "exit fee" or delay the handover. Choose your accountant carefully the first time — switching mid-year is disruptive and can cost EUR 200-400 in transition fees and lost time.

4. Trade Registry Amendment Fees

Any change to your company after registration — address change, director change, capital increase, NACE code update — requires a Trade Registry amendment. Each amendment costs EUR 15 (electronic) or EUR 20 (paper) in state fees, plus EUR 100-300 in lawyer fees for preparing the documents. If you change your mind about the company name, address, or director shortly after registration, these costs add up quickly.

5. Euro Conversion Compliance (2026 Only)

Companies registered before January 1, 2026 must convert their share capital from BGN to EUR and file an amendment with the Trade Registry. If you are registering a new company in 2026, this does not apply to you — your capital is denominated in EUR from day one. But if you are acquiring or taking over an existing Bulgarian company, verify that the euro conversion has been completed.

6. Fees Doubled Since Euro Adoption

Some government fees have effectively doubled since Bulgaria adopted the euro. For example, certain administrative certificates now cost EUR 7 for paper issuance, EUR 18 for card format, and EUR 36 for expedited processing. While these are small amounts individually, they accumulate if you need multiple certificates or apostilles for your company operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on company registration costs in Bulgaria based on current legislation and market rates as of April 2026. Government fees are fixed; professional fees vary by provider and complexity. All amounts are in EUR (Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026). This article does not constitute legal or tax advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified Bulgarian lawyer. Last updated: April 6, 2026.