Register a Bulgarian EOOD Without Leaving Home
You do not need to fly to Sofia to register a Bulgarian company. Thousands of founders — freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, e-commerce operators — register an EOOD (single-member LLC) in Bulgaria every year without stepping foot in the country. The entire process runs through a notarized Power of Attorney granted to a Bulgarian lawyer, who handles every step from document preparation to Trade Registry filing.
Bulgaria's EOOD remains one of Europe's most attractive company structures: EUR 1 minimum capital, a combined tax rate of just 15% (10% corporate income tax + 5% dividend tax), and a state registration fee of EUR 28 when filed online. And as of January 1, 2026, everything is denominated in euros — no currency conversion headaches.
This guide explains exactly how remote registration works, what it costs, what your lawyer prepares, and the one or two things you will still need to handle in person later.
Can You Really Register an EOOD Without Coming to Bulgaria?
Yes — and this is not a grey area or a workaround. Bulgarian commercial law explicitly allows company registration through an authorized representative. Article 32 of the Bulgarian Commercial Act permits any natural or legal person to appoint a representative with a Power of Attorney (PoA) to perform legal acts on their behalf, including company formation.
Here is how it works in practice: you sign a Power of Attorney in your home country, have it notarized by a local notary public, obtain an apostille (under the Hague Apostille Convention), and ship the original to your Bulgarian lawyer. The lawyer then uses this PoA to:
- Open a capital accumulation account at a Bulgarian bank and deposit the share capital on your behalf
- Prepare and sign all incorporation documents — the Founding Act, declarations, specimen signatures
- File the application electronically with the Commercial Register (Trade Registry)
- Register the company with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) for tax purposes
The key requirement is that your Power of Attorney must be notarized and apostilled. A simple signed document will not work. The Trade Registry registrar verifies the PoA as part of the registration review, and any deficiency will lead to a refusal.
EU citizens have it easier: If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a police clearance certificate or GRAO registration to register a company. These requirements only apply to non-EU founders. EU citizens benefit from freedom of establishment under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which means fewer documents and a faster process.
What Is a Power of Attorney and How to Get One
The Power of Attorney is the single most important document in the remote registration process. It is a legal instrument that authorizes your Bulgarian lawyer to act on your behalf for all steps of company formation. Without it, nothing can proceed.
How to Prepare Your Power of Attorney
- Your Bulgarian lawyer drafts the PoA. The document must be in Bulgarian (or bilingual) and must specify exactly what the authorized person can do: register a company, open bank accounts, sign the Founding Act, file with the Trade Registry, and represent you before the NRA. A generic PoA will not work — it must be specific to company formation.
- You sign it before a notary public in your home country. Visit any notary in your city. The notary verifies your identity (passport) and certifies your signature. This is a standard notarization — notaries worldwide handle PoA documents routinely. Cost: EUR 50-150 depending on your country.
- You obtain an apostille. The apostille is an international certification under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the notary's seal for use in another country. In most countries, the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice. Some countries (e.g., Germany, France) issue it the same day; others take 3-5 business days. Cost: EUR 10-50.
- You ship the original to Bulgaria. Send the notarized and apostilled PoA via international courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) to your lawyer's office. The original physical document is required — scans or copies will not be accepted by the Trade Registry. Shipping typically takes 3-7 business days depending on origin.
Important — no digital signatures: You cannot sign the Power of Attorney digitally or electronically. Bulgarian law requires a wet-ink signature, notarized in person, with a physical apostille. Plan accordingly — this is the one step that cannot be done from your laptop.
Alternative: Bulgarian Consulate
If your country has a Bulgarian consulate or embassy, you can sign the PoA directly before a Bulgarian consular officer. This eliminates the need for an apostille (since the document is authenticated within the Bulgarian system). However, consulate appointments can be difficult to schedule, and the service is not always available at every consular office. For most founders, the notary + apostille route is faster and more predictable.
We Draft Your Power of Attorney for Free
Tell us your situation and we send you the PoA — ready to sign at your local notary. No charge.
Get Your Free PoA Draft →Step-by-Step Remote Registration Process
Once your lawyer receives the original PoA, the registration process follows a well-defined sequence. Here is every step, in order.
- Power of Attorney preparation and shipping. Your lawyer drafts the PoA. You sign it before a notary in your home country, obtain an apostille, and courier the original to Bulgaria. Timeline: 1-2 weeks depending on apostille speed and shipping.
- Your lawyer prepares all incorporation documents. This includes the Founding Act (Учредителен акт), the manager's declaration of consent, a specimen signature declaration, a declaration of true circumstances, and the decision of the sole founder to establish the EOOD. All documents are prepared in Bulgarian and signed by your lawyer under the PoA. Timeline: 1-2 days.
- Capital accumulation account. Your lawyer opens a temporary capital accumulation account (набирателна сметка) at a Bulgarian bank — typically DSK Bank or UniCredit Bulbank — and deposits the share capital (minimum EUR 1). The bank issues a capital deposit certificate, which is a mandatory attachment to the Trade Registry application. Timeline: same day.
- Electronic filing with the Trade Registry. Your lawyer files the complete application package electronically through the Commercial Register portal. The online filing fee is EUR 28 (half the paper filing fee of EUR 56). The package includes: the Founding Act, PoA, capital deposit certificate, all declarations, and proof of the state fee payment. Timeline: 3-5 business days for the registrar's decision.
- Company receives its UIC (Unified Identification Code). Once approved, the Trade Registry assigns your EOOD a unique 9-digit UIC — this is effectively your company registration number. Your lawyer receives the registration certificate and sends you a copy. Timeline: immediate upon approval.
- NRA tax registration. Your lawyer registers the company with the National Revenue Agency. The EOOD is automatically assigned to the relevant NRA territorial directorate. If your projected annual turnover will exceed EUR 51,130 (BGN 100,000 equivalent), you may also need VAT registration. Timeline: automatic with Trade Registry filing.
What about the registered address? Every EOOD needs a registered address (седалище и адрес на управление) in Bulgaria. Your lawyer's office can serve as your registered address during formation. Later, you can change it to a virtual office, coworking space, or rented office. The address does not need to be your personal residence.
Documents Your Lawyer Prepares
For a standard single-founder, single-manager EOOD (the most common structure), your lawyer prepares the following documents. You do not need to draft any of these yourself — your lawyer handles everything based on the information you provide.
| Document | Purpose | Who Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Founding Act (Учредителен акт) | The constitutive document of the EOOD — defines the company name, address, activity, capital, and management structure | Lawyer (under PoA) |
| Decision of the Sole Founder | Formal decision to establish the EOOD, appoint the manager, and determine the capital | Lawyer (under PoA) |
| Manager's Consent Declaration | The manager declares they accept the appointment and are not subject to legal prohibitions | Manager (notarized) |
| Specimen Signature | Notarized specimen of the manager's signature — filed with the Trade Registry | Manager (notarized) |
| Declaration of True Circumstances (Art. 13(4)) | Declares all submitted information is true and complete | Lawyer (under PoA) |
| Declaration under Art. 141(8) of the Commercial Act | The manager declares they meet the legal requirements to serve as manager | Manager (notarized) |
| Capital Deposit Certificate | Bank certificate confirming the share capital has been deposited | Issued by the bank |
If you are both the sole founder and the manager (the most common setup), the manager's consent declaration and specimen signature must be signed by you personally — either before a notary in your home country (with apostille) or before a Bulgarian consular officer. Your lawyer will include these in the PoA package so you can sign everything at once during your single notary visit.
One notary visit, all documents: A good lawyer will prepare the PoA, the specimen signature, and the manager's declarations as a single package. You visit your local notary once, sign everything, get the apostille, and ship it all together. No second trips needed.
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
The total timeline for remote EOOD registration is 2-3 weeks from start to finish. Here is the breakdown:
| Phase | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer drafts PoA + document package | 1-2 days | Once you provide founder details and company name |
| Notarization at your local notary | 1 day | Walk-in or same-day appointment in most countries |
| Apostille | 1-5 days | Same-day in Germany, France, Netherlands; 3-5 days in some other countries |
| International courier shipping | 3-7 days | DHL/FedEx/UPS express; plan for customs if shipping from outside the EU |
| Lawyer opens capital account + files | 1-2 days | Bank account same day; filing the next business day |
| Trade Registry processing | 3-5 business days | Registrar reviews and issues the UIC |
| Total | 2-3 weeks | Faster if apostille and shipping are expedited |
The longest variable is shipping time. If you are based in Western Europe (Germany, Netherlands, France), the apostille and courier can be completed in 3-4 days total. From further afield — the US, Canada, Australia — budget a full week for shipping alone.
Ready to Start? We Handle Everything After You Ship the PoA
Company registered in 3-5 business days after we receive your documents. Fixed fee, no surprises.
Get a Fixed-Fee Quote →Costs for Remote EOOD Registration
Here is a realistic cost breakdown for remote EOOD registration in 2026. All figures are in EUR.
| Cost Item | Amount (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PoA notarization | EUR 50 - 150 | Varies by country; includes notarization of PoA + specimen signature + declarations |
| Apostille | EUR 10 - 50 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Justice in your country; some issue same-day |
| International courier (DHL/FedEx) | EUR 30 - 80 | Express 2-3 day delivery within Europe; more for intercontinental |
| Trade Registry state fee (online) | EUR 28 | Fixed fee; EUR 56 for paper filing (always file online) |
| Notary fees in Bulgaria (specimen signature filing) | EUR 15 - 30 | Certification of documents for the Trade Registry |
| Lawyer fees (full remote registration package) | EUR 400 - 800 | Includes PoA drafting, document preparation, bank account, filing, NRA registration |
| Share capital deposit | EUR 1+ | Minimum EUR 1; most founders deposit EUR 1 to EUR 50 |
| Total | EUR 550 - 1,100 | Simple single-founder EOOD; complex structures cost more |
Compare this to other EU countries: Registering a GmbH in Germany costs EUR 800+ in notary fees alone, plus EUR 150-300 in Trade Registry fees. A Dutch BV costs EUR 400-600 in notary fees. Bulgaria's total cost — including the lawyer's full-service fee — is comparable to what you would pay just for notarization in Western Europe. And the ongoing costs are significantly lower too.
What You Still Need to Do in Person
While the EOOD registration itself is 100% remote, there are two things you will eventually need to handle in person — though neither is urgent on day one.
1. Corporate Bank Account (KYC)
The capital accumulation account (needed for registration) can be opened by your lawyer through the PoA. However, converting it to a full corporate business account after registration typically requires the manager's physical presence at the bank for KYC (Know Your Customer) identification.
Since Bulgaria's eurozone entry, banks have tightened their KYC requirements significantly:
- Non-refundable KYC fee: EUR 100-500 depending on the bank and complexity
- Processing time: Approximately 1 week (not same-day)
- Manager must appear in person at most banks
- Best banks: DSK Bank and UniCredit Bulbank are the most reliable for foreign-owned EOODs
Fintech workaround: If you need to start invoicing immediately, you can use Wise Business or Revolut Business as your operating account while your Bulgarian bank account is being processed. Fintech accounts can fully replace a traditional bank for day-to-day EOOD operations — receiving payments, paying expenses, issuing invoices. You only need the Bulgarian bank for the initial registration and for compliance purposes.
2. Migration Directorate (If Establishing Residence)
If you plan to become a tax resident in Bulgaria — which most founders do to benefit from the 15% combined tax rate — you will need to visit the Migration Directorate in person to obtain your EU residence certificate and LNCH (Personal Number of a Foreigner). This is not required for company registration, but it is required for:
- Bulgarian tax residency status
- Personal tax filings with the NRA
- Health insurance and social security
- Opening a personal bank account (easier with LNCH)
See our address registration guide and tax residency guide for the full process.
You do not need to visit Bulgaria immediately. Your EOOD can be legally registered and operational before you set foot in the country. Many founders register the company remotely, start invoicing through fintech, and then visit Bulgaria 2-4 weeks later to handle the bank account and residence registration in one trip. This is the approach we recommend.
Plan Your Bulgaria Trip Efficiently
We schedule the bank appointment, Migration Directorate visit, and accountant introduction on the same week.
Book Your Setup Week →Get Your Remote EOOD Registration Started
Tell us your name, country, and planned business activity. We will send you the Power of Attorney draft, a cost estimate, and a timeline — within 24 hours, free of charge.
Free consultation. No obligation. Response within 24 hours.
★★★★★ "They sent me the PoA, I signed it at my notary in Berlin, shipped it, and had my EOOD registered in 12 days. Never left Germany." — Thomas K., Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register a Bulgarian EOOD without visiting the country?
What does remote EOOD registration cost in total?
How long does the remote registration process take?
What is the minimum capital for a Bulgarian EOOD?
Do EU citizens need a police clearance or GRAO registration?
Can I open a corporate bank account remotely too?
Can I use Wise or Revolut instead of a Bulgarian bank?
What tax rate does a Bulgarian EOOD pay?
Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on remote EOOD registration in Bulgaria based on current legislation and commercial practice as of April 2026. Individual circumstances may vary, and specific legal or tax advice should be obtained from a qualified Bulgarian lawyer. Trade Registry fees and procedures are subject to change. Last updated: April 6, 2026.