How to Register a Company in Bulgaria as an EU Citizen (2026)

Bulgaria has become one of the most attractive EU countries for company formation — and for good reason. A flat 10% corporate tax (the joint-lowest in the EU), EUR 1 minimum capital, a 1-3 day registration process, and full Euro adoption since January 1, 2026 make it a compelling base for EU entrepreneurs. As a Bulgarian law firm that registers companies for foreign clients every week, we have written this guide to walk you through the entire process — from choosing the right entity type to filing your first tax return.

Why EU Citizens Choose Bulgaria for Business

Bulgaria consistently ranks among the top EU destinations for foreign company registration. The reasons are structural, not speculative:

• 10% flat corporate tax — unchanged since 2007, with no indication of increase. This is the joint-lowest rate in the EU (tied with Hungary).
• 5% dividend tax — giving a combined corporate + dividend rate of just 15%. A proposed increase to 10% was dropped from the 2026 budget after strong business opposition.
• Euro adoption — Bulgaria adopted the Euro on January 1, 2026, eliminating currency risk for businesses invoicing in EUR and simplifying cross-border transactions.
• Full Schengen membership — Bulgaria became a full Schengen member (including land borders) in January 2025, meaning seamless travel across Europe.
• EU single market access — a Bulgarian company can sell goods and services across all 27 EU member states without additional barriers.
• No residency requirement — you do not need to live in Bulgaria or obtain Bulgarian residency to own and manage a Bulgarian company.
• Low operating costs — accounting services cost EUR 100-250/month, office rent in Sofia starts at EUR 200/month, and the minimum salary is EUR 620/month.

For an EU citizen, the advantages are amplified. You have an automatic right to register a business, open a bank account, and operate in Bulgaria under EU free movement rules. No visa, no work permit, no special authorization.

Company Types in Bulgaria

Bulgarian law provides several legal forms for business. For foreign entrepreneurs, three are relevant:

Why we recommend the EOOD

For the vast majority of EU citizens registering in Bulgaria, the EOOD (single-member limited liability company) is the best choice. It offers limited liability (your personal assets are protected), requires only EUR 1 in capital, allows you to be both the sole owner and the sole director, and is the simplest to manage. The EOOD is by far the most commonly registered entity type by foreign entrepreneurs in Bulgaria. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on EOOD vs OOD in Bulgaria.

The OOD is structurally identical but has two or more shareholders — choose it only if you are starting a business with a partner. The ET (sole trader) offers no limited liability protection and is rarely advisable. The AD (joint-stock company) requires EUR 25,000 in capital and is designed for large-scale operations.

EOOD Registration: Step by Step

Here is the complete process for registering an EOOD in Bulgaria in 2026. If you are physically present in Bulgaria with all documents ready, the entire process takes 5-7 business days from start to finish.

1. Choose your company name. Your company name must be unique in the Bulgarian Trade Registry. You can verify name availability for free at portal.registryagency.bg. The name must be in Bulgarian (Cyrillic), though you can register a Latin-script transliteration as well. We recommend checking 2-3 name options in advance.
2. Secure a registered address (sedalishte). Every Bulgarian company must have a registered business address in Bulgaria. This does not need to be a physical office — a virtual office or registered agent address is perfectly acceptable and widely used by foreign founders. Expect to pay EUR 50-150/year for a virtual office address in Sofia.
3. Prepare incorporation documents. Your lawyer prepares the Founding Act (Учредителен акт), the decision of the sole owner to establish the company, the specimen signature declaration (notarized), the declaration of the manager under Art. 141 of the Commercial Act, and the declaration of the beneficial owner. All documents must be in Bulgarian.
4. Notarize the specimen signature. The specimen signature of the manager (director) must be notarized before a Bulgarian notary. The manager will also need an LNCH — see our guide on address registration and LNCH for the residence certificate process. If you are registering remotely, the notarization can be done before a notary in your home country with apostille legalization — see the remote registration section below.
5. Open a capital accumulation bank account. Visit a Bulgarian bank to open a temporary accumulation account and deposit the share capital (minimum EUR 1). The bank will issue a deposit certificate, which is a mandatory filing document. Popular choices include UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, and Postbank. This step typically takes 1-2 business days.
6. File with the Trade Registry. Submit your complete application package to the Commercial Register (Търговски регистър) at the Bulgarian Registry Agency. You can file electronically (recommended — faster and cheaper) or on paper. The Registry processes electronic applications within 1-3 business days.
7. Receive your UIC (Unique Identification Code). Once approved, your company receives a UIC (ЕИК) — a 9-digit identification number that serves as your company's tax ID. You are now automatically registered with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) for tax purposes. Your EOOD is officially in business.

Documents Checklist

Here is the complete list of documents required to register an EOOD in Bulgaria:

Costs — Full Breakdown

Here is a realistic cost breakdown for registering an EOOD in Bulgaria in 2026. Government fees are fixed; professional fees vary by provider.

Ongoing costs after registration:

• Accountant: EUR 100-250/month depending on transaction volume
• Virtual office renewal: EUR 50-150/year
• Annual financial statement publication: EUR 15-30 (Trade Registry fee)
• Annual activity report filing: Included in accountant services

Can You Register Remotely?

Yes. EU citizens can register a Bulgarian company without visiting the country, using a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney (PoA). Here is how it works:

1. Engage a Bulgarian lawyer to act as your authorized representative.
2. Receive the document package from your lawyer (PoA, Founding Act, declarations) for signing.
3. Sign before a notary in your home country. The notary certifies your signature on the PoA and other documents.
4. Apostille the documents. Obtain an apostille stamp from the designated authority in your country (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a court). For EU member states, the apostille process is standardized.
5. Ship the originals to your lawyer in Bulgaria. DHL or FedEx typically takes 2-3 business days within Europe.
6. Your lawyer handles everything locally: bank account opening (some banks accept PoA for the accumulation account), Trade Registry filing, and obtaining your UIC.

Remote registration is perfectly legal and common. We handle remote EOOD formations for EU citizens every week — from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, and across the EU.

After Registration — What's Next

Registering the EOOD is step one. Here is what you need to do immediately after receiving your UIC:

1. NRA Tax Registration (Automatic)

Your company is automatically registered with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) for corporate tax purposes upon Trade Registry entry. You do not need to file a separate tax registration application. Your UIC serves as your tax identification number.

2. Open a Business Bank Account

Convert your capital accumulation account into a regular business current account, or open a new one. This is where you will receive payments, pay invoices, and manage your company's finances. Since Euro adoption in 2026, all Bulgarian bank accounts are denominated in EUR by default. Popular banks for foreign entrepreneurs include UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, and Fibank.

3. Hire an Accountant

All Bulgarian companies must maintain double-entry bookkeeping, file monthly social security declarations (if paying salaries), file advance corporate tax declarations, and submit annual financial statements to the Trade Registry by June 30. In practice, this means you need a licensed accountant from day one. Costs range from EUR 100-250/month.

4. Register for VAT (If Required)

VAT registration is mandatory if your taxable turnover exceeds EUR 51,130 in a calendar year. Voluntary registration is possible below this threshold and may be advantageous if you sell primarily to VAT-registered businesses (you can reclaim input VAT). The EU-wide SME scheme (effective since January 1, 2025) allows small enterprises with total EU-wide turnover under EUR 100,000 to sell across the EU without charging VAT. For a detailed breakdown, see our Bulgaria VAT registration guide.

5. Register as an Employer (If Applicable)

If you plan to hire employees or pay yourself a management salary, register with the NRA as an employer. Your accountant handles this. Social security contributions for employees are approximately 32-33% of gross salary, split between employer (~19%) and employee (~13%), capped at a maximum monthly insurance income of EUR 2,352.

Tax Overview for Bulgarian Companies

Here is the complete tax picture for a Bulgarian EOOD in 2026:

What about the proposed dividend tax increase? In November 2025, the Bulgarian government proposed doubling the dividend tax from 5% to 10% as part of the 2026 budget. The proposal faced strong opposition from employer organizations and was officially dropped in December 2025. The dividend tax remains at 5% for 2026. Bulgaria's tax stability — 10% CIT unchanged for nearly 20 years — is one of its strongest selling points.

5 Common Mistakes When Registering in Bulgaria

1. Skipping the capital accumulation account. Some founders try to file without the bank deposit certificate. The Trade Registry will reject your application. Open the accumulation account and deposit the capital before filing — there are no shortcuts.
2. Using an address without a consent letter. Your registered address must come with a written consent from the property owner. If you use a virtual office, the provider supplies this document. Using a random address without consent will result in rejection.
3. Not hiring an accountant from day one. Bulgarian accounting obligations begin the moment your company is registered. Missing a monthly social security filing or a tax declaration deadline results in penalties. Engage an accountant before or immediately after registration.
4. Choosing the wrong NACE codes. Your Founding Act must specify your business activities using NACE codes. Choose codes that accurately reflect your actual business — and include enough breadth for future activities. Changing NACE codes later requires a Trade Registry amendment (additional cost and time).
5. Ignoring the annual financial statement deadline. All companies must publish annual financial statements in the Trade Registry by June 30 of the following year. Failure to do so results in fines of EUR 100-1,500 and can create problems with banks and business partners who check your Trade Registry profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on company registration in Bulgaria based on current legislation as of April 2026. Actual requirements, fees, and timelines may vary based on individual circumstances. Government fees are converted from BGN to EUR at the fixed rate of 1.95583. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified Bulgarian lawyer. Last updated: April 6, 2026.