Corporate Bank Account in Bulgaria for Non-Residents

A business bank account in Bulgaria is what lets a new company get paid by EU clients, pay suppliers, and hold euros. Foreign owners can apply after the company is on the Commercial Register. You do not need Bulgarian citizenship. This guide explains how to open a bank account in Bulgaria for a company, when a visit is required, and which documents a Bulgarian company bank account application usually needs in 2026.

Why the account comes after registration

Banks and payment firms onboard a legal entity, not a plan. Before anyone reviews a corporate bank account Bulgaria file, the company needs:

• An entry in the Commercial Register and a UIC (ЕИК)
• A named manager and a clear ownership chain, including the beneficial owner
• A registered office address in Bulgaria
• A short description of what the company will actually sell

Company registration can be finished remotely in about 10–15 days, or in about three business days if you come to Sofia. The account is a separate compliance decision and often takes longer than the registration itself. The steps to get the company in place are in how foreigners register a company in Bulgaria.

Two ways to get an IBAN

A Bulgarian bank

A local bank issues a Bulgarian IBAN (starting with BG). Since Bulgaria uses the euro, that account is a euro account and can send and receive euro payments across the EU. Traditional banks usually ask the manager for a short in-person meeting. That visit is the main reason some founders still travel, even when the company was formed remotely.

An EU fintech or electronic money institution

Many non-residents start with a licensed fintech or EMI. These providers often open an EU IBAN fully online, with a corporate Visa or Mastercard if the application is approved. The IBAN may be issued in another EU country rather than Bulgaria. It is still a practical way to invoice and get paid while a local bank relationship is arranged.

Neither route is guaranteed. The provider accepts or declines the file. A clean new company — not a shelf company — with a specific activity is what compliance teams expect.

Can a non-resident open a corporate bank account in Bulgaria?

Yes. A bank account Bulgaria non-resident application is normal for EOOD and OOD companies owned from abroad. The questions the provider asks are about the company, not about whether you live in Sofia:

• Who owns the shares, and who is the beneficial owner
• What the company sells, and to whom
• Where the first funds come from
• Which countries customers and suppliers are in

EOOD and OOD are treated the same at this stage. Banks look at activity and documents, not at whether there is one shareholder or several. If you are still choosing the form, see Bulgarian EOOD vs OOD.

Documents for a Bulgarian company bank account

Lists differ by provider. A complete file usually includes:

• Commercial Register extract and the articles of association
• Passport copies for every shareholder and for the manager
• Proof of the registered address
• A description of the business and expected monthly volumes
• Source-of-funds information for the opening balance
• Proof of address for the beneficial owner, when the provider asks for it

Documents issued abroad may need a certified translation, and some banks want an apostille on the power of attorney or on corporate papers. A certificate of good standing is often requested later, when you open a second account outside Bulgaria. That document is listed on our additional services page.

Do you have to travel?

It depends on the provider, not on the company registration.

• Remote company, local bank: registration stays remote, and the manager usually visits once for the account
• Remote company, EMI or fintech: both the company and the EU IBAN can be arranged without a trip
• In-person formation in Sofia: the notary visit and the bank meeting can be planned in the same trip

More on the two formation routes is in how to open a company in Bulgaria.

What our formation package covers

Bank-account coordination is part of company formation, together with online banking setup and a corporate card where the provider approves it. Current packages:

• €1,700 — in-person setup
• €2,000 — remote setup

The price covers coordination and the formation work. It is not a promise that a named bank will say yes. See the company formation page for what is included, and the FAQ for the short answers on IBAN and cards.

Why applications are refused

Refusals are usually about the file, not about Bulgaria as a country. The patterns we see:

• The activity description is vague (“consulting”, “trading”) with no customers or countries
• The owner, the manager, and the beneficial owner do not match the register
• The company is a shelf company with an unexplained history
• Source of funds is missing, or the expected volume does not match the business
• There is no Bulgarian address for official mail

A new company with a narrow activity, a real address, and a consistent ownership chain is easier to explain than a broad one. Tax on the profit that later moves through the account is separate: Bulgaria’s corporate rate is 10%, covered in corporate tax in Bulgaria.

Common questions

Can a foreigner open a business bank account in Bulgaria?

Yes, after the company is registered. The bank or payment firm decides. You do not need citizenship or a residence permit to own the company.

Do I have to visit Bulgaria to open a company bank account?

Local banks usually want one meeting with the manager. An EMI or fintech can often issue an EU IBAN online. Registration of the company can stay fully remote either way.

Is a Bulgarian company bank account included in formation?

Coordination, online banking, and a corporate card (if approved) are included. In-person formation starts at €1,700 and remote formation at €2,000. The provider still has to approve the application.

What documents does a bank ask for?

Typically the register extract, articles, passports, beneficial-owner details, a business description, and source of funds. A Bulgarian registered address is expected.

Can a non-resident open a corporate bank account in Bulgaria?

Yes. Banks and fintechs onboard Bulgarian EOOD and OOD companies owned from abroad. They assess the company’s ownership, activity and source of funds, not whether the owner lives in Bulgaria.