Can You Open a Bulgarian Bank Account Remotely? (2026 Update)

The Short Answer

Can you open a Bulgarian bank account without visiting the country? Here is the honest answer:

• Personal accounts: No. All Bulgarian banks require physical presence for KYC identification. No exceptions at traditional banks.
• Corporate accounts: Mostly no. The director must appear in person at most banks. Some banks (DSK Bank, UniCredit Bulbank) are more flexible and may accept a notarized power of attorney, but this is not guaranteed.
• Capital accumulation account: Yes — Paysera offers remote opening of the capital accumulation account needed for company registration.
• Operating account: Yes — Wise Business and Revolut Business can serve as your primary operating account, opened entirely online.

The rest of this article explains each scenario in detail, covers the available workarounds, and helps you plan your visit to Bulgaria as efficiently as possible when a trip is unavoidable.

Personal Accounts: Physical Presence Required

Every traditional bank in Bulgaria requires the account holder to appear in person at a branch for the initial KYC (Know Your Customer) identification. This is a regulatory requirement under Bulgarian anti-money laundering legislation, which transposes EU Directive 2015/849 (the Anti-Money Laundering Directive).

There are no exceptions for personal accounts at any of the major banks — UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, Fibank, Postbank, and UBB all require physical presence. This applies equally to EU and non-EU citizens.

What you can do remotely for personal banking is open accounts with fintech providers like Wise or Revolut. These provide EUR IBANs and work perfectly for receiving and sending SEPA payments. However, they are not Bulgarian bank accounts and do not provide an LNCH-linked banking relationship in Bulgaria.

Corporate Accounts: Director Must Usually Appear

Corporate bank account opening for an EOOD follows a similar pattern — the director (управител) must typically appear in person for KYC identification. Bulgarian banks verify the identity of both the authorized signatory and the beneficial owner before opening a corporate account.

Power of Attorney — Limited Possibility

Some banks accept a notarized power of attorney (PoA) for corporate account opening, but with significant limitations:

• DSK Bank and UniCredit Bulbank are the most flexible and have been known to accept PoA arrangements for corporate accounts, particularly for simple structures (single EU-citizen owner).
• The power of attorney must be notarized in your home country and bear an apostille (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention) or legalization (for others).
• The PoA must specifically authorize the representative to open a bank account, sign the account agreement, and provide specimen signatures.
• Even when the PoA is accepted for the initial opening, the bank may still require the beneficial owner to appear later for a separate KYC interview — either in person or, in rare cases, via video call.
• Many banks refuse PoA for new clients entirely. Fibank, Postbank, and UBB generally require the director's physical presence.

Paysera: Remote Capital Accumulation Account

Here is where things get interesting for entrepreneurs. Paysera, a Lithuanian-licensed payment institution that operates in Bulgaria, offers remote opening of capital accumulation accounts (набирателна сметка) for company registration.

This is significant because the capital accumulation account is one of the mandatory steps in registering an EOOD — you cannot file with the Trade Registry without a bank certificate confirming the share capital deposit. Traditionally, this required a physical visit to a Bulgarian bank before your company even existed.

How the Paysera route works

1. Open a Paysera business account online. Register on the Paysera platform, complete the online KYC verification (ID document upload, selfie, questionnaire), and your account is activated remotely.
2. Request a capital accumulation account. Through your Paysera account, request the opening of a набирателна сметка for your future EOOD. Provide the draft Founding Act and founder details.
3. Deposit the share capital. Transfer the share capital (minimum EUR 1, though most founders deposit EUR 1-50) to the accumulation account via SEPA transfer.
4. Receive the bank certificate. Paysera issues the capital deposit certificate — the document your lawyer needs to file the Trade Registry application.
5. Convert after registration. Once your EOOD is registered and you have a UIC (company registration number), the accumulation account can be converted to a regular business account at Paysera.

Fintech as Your Operating Account

Once your EOOD is registered, you do not necessarily need a traditional Bulgarian bank for daily operations. Fintech accounts can fully replace a traditional bank for the operating needs of most businesses.

Since Bulgaria joined the eurozone on January 1, 2026, and is a full SEPA participant, there is no practical difference between a SEPA transfer from a Bulgarian bank and one from Wise or Revolut. Tax payments to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and social security contributions can be made from any EUR-denominated account with a valid IBAN.

Many of our clients use this exact setup: Paysera for the capital account and company registration, then Wise Business or Revolut Business as the primary operating account. A traditional Bulgarian bank is only added later if and when they visit Bulgaria.

When You Must Visit: Planning Your Trip

If you need a traditional Bulgarian bank account — whether personal, corporate, or both — you will need to visit Bulgaria. Here is how to make the most of your trip.

How many days do you need?

• Personal account only: 1 business day. With complete documents and a pre-scheduled appointment, you can open a personal account the same day.
• Corporate account only: 1 business day for the submission. The KYC review takes approximately one week, but you do not need to be in Bulgaria during the review period. You submit documents, pay the KYC fee, and then the bank contacts you (or us) when the account is approved.
• Both personal + corporate: 2-3 business days. This allows time for the personal account opening, corporate document submission, and any follow-up the bank may need.

What we prepare before your visit

When you work with us, we handle all preparation before you arrive in Bulgaria so your visit is as short and efficient as possible:

1. Bank selection and appointment scheduling. We choose the right bank based on your profile and schedule your branch appointment for the day after your arrival.
2. Document preparation. All corporate documents (company resolutions, beneficial owner declarations, business descriptions for KYC) are prepared and ready for your signature.
3. Branch accompaniment. A member of our team meets you at the bank branch, handles any language barriers, and ensures the process goes smoothly.
4. Post-visit follow-up. After you leave Bulgaria, we follow up with the bank on your KYC review and handle any additional document requests on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on remote bank account opening in Bulgaria based on current legislation and banking practices as of April 2026. Individual bank policies may change without notice. This article does not constitute legal or financial advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified Bulgarian lawyer. Last updated: April 7, 2026.