Open a Company in Bulgaria from the UK After Brexit

Many British founders search how to open a company in Bulgaria from the UK because they want an EU entity after Brexit without relocating. A Bulgarian company for UK owners is a normal EOOD or OOD: foreign nationals can hold 100% of the shares, register remotely, and invoice EU clients under Bulgarian company law. This guide explains what changed after Brexit, which documents UK residents need, and what our packages cost from €1,700.

What Brexit changed — and what it did not

After Brexit, UK nationals are no longer EU citizens for freedom-of-establishment purposes. That affects residence rights and some personal mobility rules. It does not ban British people from owning a Bulgarian limited company.

In practice, a company in Bulgaria after Brexit still works for UK-based directors and shareholders who want:

• An EU-registered company with a Bulgarian UIC
• Access to EU VAT / VIES once VAT-registered
• 10% corporate tax on taxable profit in Bulgaria
• Remote setup from the UK without moving to Sofia

Wider non-EU ownership rules: open a company in Bulgaria as a non-EU citizen. Tax overview: corporate tax in Bulgaria.

UK resident Bulgarian EOOD or OOD

Most solo founders choose an EOOD (one shareholder). Co-founders or spouses usually pick an OOD. English speakers often call either a Bulgarian LLC — same idea as a limited company, different legal name: Bulgarian LLC guide. Comparison: EOOD vs OOD.

You do not need a Bulgarian co-owner. You do need a registered office address in Bulgaria and a manager (often the shareholder, or an appointed manager under the articles).

How UK founders register (hub links)

Post-Brexit, UK residents use the same non-EU remote path as other non-EU passports: UK notary/solicitor, Hague Apostille, courier, Commercial Register. Ownership rules: company for non-EU citizens. Mechanics: remote company formation. Apostille: Apostille guide. Timeline: ~10–15 days remote (€2,000) or ~3 days in Sofia (€1,700) — how long it takes.

UK-specific: Brexit, Apostille, and FCDO habits

The UK remains in the Hague Apostille system, so FCDO Apostille on the Power of Attorney is the standard legalisation for Bulgaria — not embassy legalisation. Use the same spelling as your UK passport (including middle names). If you also hold an EU passport, say so early — banking KYC narratives differ for dual nationals.

EU invoices, VAT, and UK personal tax

A Bulgarian company is an EU company. That is why UK agencies and SaaS founders still look for a register company Bulgaria UK citizen route when EU clients expect an EU VAT number and VIES checks. Optional VAT registration with us is €200 — see VAT registration in Bulgaria.

Important boundary: Bulgarian corporate tax applies to the company. Your UK personal tax residency, dividend tax, reporting, and any anti-avoidance rules are a UK matter. Formation here does not replace advice from a UK accountant or tax adviser on how you extract profit or report foreign companies.

Banking for British owners

Banks and payment providers run KYC on UK passports and proof of UK address like any other non-resident file. Expect questions on business model, clients, and source of funds for share capital. Guide: business bank account in Bulgaria. Capital amounts: minimum share capital in Bulgaria.

Later, UK or EU banks may ask for a certificate of good standing plus translation — budget those as extras when the checklist requires them.

Costs for UK founders in 2026

• €1,700 — in-person formation in Sofia
• €2,000 — remote formation from the UK
• From €2 — share capital registered in our packages
• €200 — optional VAT registration
• From €150 / €250 — Apostille / certified translation support when needed
• €600 / year — registered address service if renewed standalone

Full pricing: how much it costs to open a company in Bulgaria. Packages: company formation.

Who this route suits

• UK consultants and agencies invoicing EU clients
• SaaS and software founders who want an EU company base — see also IT company in Bulgaria
• Holdings or group structures placing an EU layer in Bulgaria — holding company in Bulgaria

It is a company setup, not an automatic UK→EU work visa or Bulgarian residence permit. Residency is a separate immigration process if you ever need it.

Common questions

Can a UK citizen open a company in Bulgaria after Brexit?

Yes. Full foreign ownership of EOOD/OOD is allowed; you do not need to live in Bulgaria to own the company.

Do I have to travel?

No. Remote formation with a UK-notarised and apostilled Power of Attorney is the usual path (~10–15 days, €2,000).

Will I get EU VAT access?

The company is EU-registered. VAT registration (optional €200, or compulsory above the threshold) is what enables EU VAT invoicing and VIES.

What about my UK taxes?

Company tax in Bulgaria is separate from your UK personal tax. Take UK advice on dividends and foreign-company reporting.