How to Open a Company in Bulgaria: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

You can open a company in Bulgaria without living in the country, without a local partner, and — if you choose remote formation — without travelling. Most foreign founders set up an EOOD or OOD limited company: 10% corporate tax, a minimum share capital of €1, full access to the EU single market, and a Bulgarian company that uses the euro since 1 January 2026. This guide walks through starting a business in Bulgaria step by step: who can do it, which company type to pick, what you need to prepare, how long it takes, what it costs, and what you must do after the company exists.

Can a foreigner open a company in Bulgaria?

Yes. EU and non-EU citizens can own 100% of a Bulgarian company. There is no residency requirement for shareholders or managers, and the manager does not have to be Bulgarian. Owners from the UK, the USA and other non-EU countries use exactly the same EOOD/OOD forms as Bulgarian founders.

Owning a company does not give you the right to live or work in Bulgaria — residency is a separate immigration process. And because Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 2025, an EU company here is a practical base for selling across the whole single market.

Step 1: Choose the right company type

Almost every foreign founder chooses a limited liability company. The options when setting up a business in Bulgaria are:

• EOOD — limited liability company with one shareholder. The usual choice for consultants, freelancers, IT founders and holding structures.
• OOD — limited liability company with two or more shareholders. Use it when partners co-own the business.
• ET (sole trader) — not a separate legal entity; the owner is personally liable. Rarely the right choice for foreign founders — see sole trader vs EOOD in Bulgaria.
• AD (joint-stock company) — for larger or regulated businesses, with a much higher minimum capital.
• Branch of a foreign company — registers your existing foreign entity in Bulgaria instead of creating a new one.

The EOOD/OOD comparison, including how shares and management work, is in Bulgarian EOOD vs OOD. If you think in “LLC” terms, see Bulgarian LLC.

Step 2: Prepare the company details

• Company name — plus one or two backups. It must be available on the Commercial Register and written in Bulgarian (Latin transliteration is allowed).
• Business activity — a short description of what the company will do. A clear, specific activity also helps later with bank KYC.
• Share capital — the legal minimum is €1; our packages start from €2. See minimum share capital in Bulgaria.
• Shareholders and manager — passport copies and contact details for each person.
• Registered office address — every company needs a registered address in Bulgaria to receive official mail.

Step 3: Choose in-person or remote formation

Remote formation is the standard path for most clients. The details — which documents need an Apostille and how originals are couriered — are in remote company formation in Bulgaria and Apostille for company documents.

Step 4: Sign the founding documents

The Articles of Association (or founding act for an EOOD), the manager’s consent and specimen signature, and the declarations required by the Commercial Register are prepared for you. You sign them in Sofia, or your attorney signs them under the Power of Attorney.

Step 5: File with the Commercial Register

The application is filed with the Commercial Register run by the Registry Agency. Once it is entered, the company receives its UIC (EIK) — the identification number that is also its tax number. From that day the company legally exists and can sign contracts and issue invoices. Timing and the most common causes of delay are covered in how long it takes to register a company in Bulgaria.

Step 6: Open a bank account and decide on VAT

Registration does not open a bank account automatically. Banks and payment providers run KYC on the owners, the activity and the source of funds — see business bank account in Bulgaria.

VAT is a separate decision. Registration is mandatory above €51,130 of taxable turnover in a calendar year, but if you will sell services to businesses in other EU countries you usually need a VAT number before the first invoice. Details: VAT registration in Bulgaria.

Step 7: Start bookkeeping and stay compliant

From the first invoice the company needs books under Bulgarian rules. Each year it files a corporate tax return — generally by 30 June — and annual financial statements, even in a year with no activity. Foreign owners almost always use a local accountant and send documents digitally: bookkeeping in Bulgaria. The wider picture of running the company is in doing business in Bulgaria.

How much it costs to open a company in Bulgaria

Our turnkey packages are €1,700 in person or €2,000 remote. They include the founding documents, notary coordination, standard state fees, Commercial Register filing, tax registration, a registered address for the setup period and bank-account coordination. Ongoing costs — bookkeeping, the annual address service (€600), optional VAT registration (€200) — come later. The full breakdown is in how much it costs to open a company in Bulgaria; package details are on company formation in Bulgaria.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a name that is already taken or too close to an existing brand
• Describing the activity too vaguely, which slows down bank KYC
• Signing a Power of Attorney without the Apostille your country requires
• Using an address that cannot reliably receive tax and court mail
• Assuming VAT is automatic, or charging 0% VAT without a valid customer VAT ID
• Buying a ready-made company without checking its history — see shelf company risks

Common questions

Can a foreigner open a company in Bulgaria?

Yes. EU and non-EU citizens can own 100% of a Bulgarian EOOD or OOD. Residency in Bulgaria is not required to own or manage the company.

How long does it take to open a company in Bulgaria?

About 3 business days when you sign in Sofia, or 10–15 days for remote formation, including notarization, Apostille and courier time for the Power of Attorney.

How much does it cost to open a company in Bulgaria?

Our turnkey packages cost €1,700 in person or €2,000 remote, including state fees and Commercial Register filing. Bookkeeping and optional services are extra.

Can I open a company in Bulgaria online?

Yes, in practice. You sign a Power of Attorney at home, add an Apostille and courier the original; the filing, tax registration and bank coordination are handled in Bulgaria.

What is the minimum share capital?

The legal minimum for an EOOD or OOD is €1. Our packages start from €2.