Bulgaria Company Registration Documents: Complete Checklist (2026)

What documents do you actually need to register a company in Bulgaria? The Bulgarian Trade Registry has specific requirements, and a single missing or incorrectly formatted document means rejection — with no refund of the state fee. As a law firm that handles company formations every week, we have compiled the definitive checklist. Every document, every notarization requirement, every common mistake — all in one place. This guide covers the standard EOOD (single-member LLC) registration, with a separate section for remote registration via Power of Attorney.

Complete Document Checklist

The following table lists every document required for a standard EOOD registration through the Bulgarian Trade Registry. All documents must be in Bulgarian. Foreign-language documents require a certified translation by a sworn translator.

Additional Documents for Remote Registration

If you cannot come to Bulgaria in person, you need three additional documents to register your company remotely through a Bulgarian lawyer.

1. Power of Attorney (PoA)

The Power of Attorney must be an explicit document — meaning it must specifically authorize the lawyer to register a company on your behalf, sign documents, open a bank accumulation account, and file with the Trade Registry. A general PoA is not sufficient. The PoA must be:

• Notarized by a notary in your country of residence
• Apostilled if your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (most EU and OECD countries are)
• Legalized through the Bulgarian embassy/consulate if your country is not a Hague Convention party
• Translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator

The PoA must be sent as an original document to Bulgaria via courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS). Scans and copies are not accepted by the Trade Registry.

2. Apostille (or Legalization)

The apostille is a standardized certificate issued by the competent authority in your country (typically a court, ministry of justice, or foreign affairs ministry) that authenticates the notary's signature on your PoA. The apostille must be attached to the original PoA. Cost varies by country: EUR 20-80 in most EU jurisdictions.

3. Notarized Specimen Signature (Abroad)

Since you are not in Bulgaria, your specimen signature must be notarized by a notary in your country, then apostilled. The specimen must follow the standard format — ask your Bulgarian lawyer for the template before visiting a foreign notary. Many foreign notaries are unfamiliar with the Bulgarian specimen format, so providing the template avoids mistakes and re-dos.

Step-by-Step: What to Prepare in What Order

The order in which you prepare documents matters because some steps depend on others. Here is the correct sequence.

1. Decide on company details. Company name (check availability on the Trade Registry portal), registered address, share capital amount, business activities (NACE codes), and who will serve as manager. Your lawyer needs these details before drafting any documents.
2. Secure a registered address. Obtain a written consent letter from the property owner or virtual office provider. This letter must confirm that the property owner consents to the company being registered at that address. Without this consent letter, the Trade Registry will reject the application.
3. Draft the Founding Act. Your lawyer prepares the Founding Act based on your company details. Review it carefully — any changes after registration require a paid amendment filing (EUR 15 state fee + lawyer fees).
4. Open the bank accumulation account and deposit capital. Visit a Bulgarian bank (or have your lawyer open it via PoA) and deposit at least 70% of the declared share capital. The bank issues a deposit certificate. For a EUR 1 company, this means depositing EUR 1. DSK Bank and UniCredit Bulbank are the most straightforward choices for foreign founders.
5. Notarize the specimen signature. Visit a Bulgarian notary (or a notary in your country if remote). Use the prescribed Trade Registry form. Cost in Bulgaria: EUR 5-10.
6. Prepare all declarations. Your lawyer prepares the beneficial owner declaration, manager consent declaration, and the Art. 141(8) declaration. You sign these — they do not require notarization.
7. File the Application Form A4. Your lawyer compiles all documents, completes the A4 application form, pays the state fee (EUR 28 for electronic filing), and submits everything to the Trade Registry electronically using a qualified electronic signature (KEP).
8. Wait for registration. Processing takes 1-3 business days for electronic filings. Once registered, your company receives a 9-digit EIK (Unified Identification Code) and appears in the public Trade Registry database. The NRA tax registration happens automatically.

Notarization Requirements: What Needs a Notary and What Does Not

One of the most frequent questions we get is "what exactly needs to be notarized?" The answer depends on the entity type and whether you are registering in person or remotely.

For EOOD (Single-Member LLC) — In Person

• Founding Act: No notarization required. Simple written form with founder's signature is sufficient.
• Specimen signature: Must be notarized. The manager signs in the prescribed format before a Bulgarian notary (EUR 5-10).
• Manager consent + Art. 141(8) declaration: No notarization required. Simple written declaration with the manager's signature.
• Beneficial owner declaration: No notarization required.
• Bank deposit certificate: No notarization required — the bank issues it directly.

For OOD (Multi-Member LLC) — In Person

• Company Agreement: Must be notarized. All founders must sign before a notary. If founders are in different countries, each signs before a local notary with apostille.
• Specimen signature: Must be notarized (same as EOOD).
• All other documents: Same as EOOD — no notarization needed.

For Remote Registration (EOOD or OOD)

• Power of Attorney: Must be notarized in the founder's country + apostilled.
• Specimen signature: Must be notarized in the founder's country + apostilled.
• OOD Company Agreement (if applicable): Must be notarized by each founder + apostilled.
• All documents in a foreign language: Must be accompanied by a certified Bulgarian translation.

Common Document Mistakes That Cause Rejection

After handling hundreds of registrations, we have seen every possible way a Trade Registry application can go wrong. Here are the mistakes we encounter most frequently — especially from founders who attempt DIY registration or use inexperienced providers.

1. Wrong Specimen Signature Format

The specimen must follow the exact format prescribed by the Trade Registry. The manager writes their full name and signs in a designated area on a standard form. Many founders (and some foreign notaries) treat it as a simple signature certification on plain paper — this is incorrect and will be rejected. The Trade Registry registrar checks the format, not just the signature's authenticity.

2. Missing Beneficial Owner Declaration

The beneficial owner declaration became mandatory under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Despite this, we still see applications rejected because the declaration was omitted entirely or filled out incorrectly. For a standard EOOD where the sole founder is also the sole owner, this is straightforward — the founder is the beneficial owner. For more complex structures with corporate shareholders, identifying the ultimate beneficial owner requires tracing the ownership chain to the natural person(s) holding 25% or more.

3. Incomplete Founding Act

The Founding Act must contain all mandatory clauses specified in the Commercial Act. The most commonly missing elements are:

• NACE activity codes — at least one must be specified as the principal activity
• Method of representation — how the manager represents the company (individually or jointly, if multiple managers)
• Duration of the company — if not specified, the company is assumed to be established for an indefinite period (which is fine, but the Act should state this explicitly to avoid registrar queries)
• Annual closure date — the financial year end date (December 31 for most companies)

4. Insufficient Capital Deposit

The law requires at least 70% of the declared share capital to be deposited before filing. For a EUR 1 company, this is trivial — you deposit EUR 1. But for companies declaring higher capital (say EUR 5,000), you must deposit at least EUR 3,500. The bank certificate must reflect at least 70%. If it shows a lower amount, the application is rejected.

5. Power of Attorney Not Explicit Enough

For remote registration, the PoA must specifically authorize the representative to "register a company with the Trade Registry" and list the specific actions: signing the Founding Act, opening a bank accumulation account, filing the application, receiving correspondence. A vague PoA stating "to act on my behalf in Bulgaria" is insufficient. The registrar will reject the application, and you will need to prepare and apostille a new PoA — costing weeks and additional fees.

6. Foreign Documents Without Apostille

Every document issued abroad and submitted to the Trade Registry must carry an apostille. This includes the Power of Attorney, specimen signature (if notarized abroad), and any supporting corporate documents (e.g., if the founder is a company, its certificate of incorporation must be apostilled). Missing apostilles are an immediate ground for rejection.

What Happens After Registration

Once the Trade Registry approves your application, your company is officially incorporated. Here is what happens next.

• EIK assigned: Your company receives a 9-digit Unified Identification Code (EIK). This is your company's tax number, used on all invoices, contracts, and official correspondence. For more details, see our guide on how the Bulgarian EIK works.
• NRA registration — automatic: The National Revenue Agency (NRA) registers your company automatically upon Trade Registry entry. You do not need to file a separate tax registration application.
• VAT registration — NOT automatic: VAT registration is a separate process. You must apply for VAT registration when your turnover exceeds the threshold (EUR 50,000 in any 12-month period) or voluntarily if you want a VAT number sooner. Your VAT number will be "BG" followed by your 9-digit EIK.
• Bank account conversion: Convert the accumulation account into a full corporate current account. KYC review takes approximately 1 week and costs EUR 100-500 (non-refundable).
• Accountant engagement: Hire a licensed accountant to handle bookkeeping, tax filings, and social security declarations from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on the documents required for company registration in Bulgaria based on current legislation as of April 2026. Document requirements may vary for specific company types or complex structures. 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 7, 2026.