Company Registration in Bulgaria: Complete Guide
A practical guide to company registration in Bulgaria, covering legal forms, documents, costs, timing, taxes, and duties after registration.
Company registration in Bulgaria gives founders an EU company with a 10% corporate income-tax rate and access to the single market. The most common choices are the single-owner EOOD and the multi-owner OOD.
The filing is only part of the work. You must choose the legal form, prepare the documents, secure an address, appoint a manager, pay the capital, and plan for tax and accounting.
Prepared and reviewed by Lion Consult's company formation and compliance team in Sofia. The team helps local and foreign founders with Commercial Register filings, accounting setup, VAT, payroll, and ongoing company duties.
Use this guide as a starting point. Get advice for your ownership structure and planned activity before you file.
Company registration in Bulgaria at a glance
| Question | General position |
|---|---|
| Common legal forms | EOOD for one owner, OOD for two or more |
| Minimum EOOD/OOD capital | EUR 1 |
| Foreign ownership | Allowed for EU and non-EU owners |
| Corporate income tax | 10% on taxable profit |
| Registration authority | Registry Agency, Commercial Register |
| Company number | Unique identification code, UIC or EIK |
| VAT registration | Depends on turnover and transaction type |
| Accounting | Required from registration |
Why register a company in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria may suit founders who need an EU base with predictable taxes and lower operating costs. Its main benefits include:
- a 10% corporate income-tax rate
- the euro as the official currency since 1 January 2026
- a 5% dividend tax for individuals in many cases, subject to treaties and exemptions
- access to the EU single market
- a public online company register
- remote setup in many cases through a valid power of attorney
Tax rates are only one factor. Banking, licences, staff, customers, management location, and the owner's tax residence may change the result.
Choose a legal form
| Form | Owners | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| EOOD, limited company | One | Consultants, online businesses, local units |
| OOD, limited company | Two or more | Co-founder businesses and growing companies |
| AD/EAD, joint-stock company | One or more | Larger businesses and regulated work |
| DPK, variable-capital company | One or more | Eligible startups needing flexible ownership |
| ET, sole trader | One person | Small activity with personal liability |
EOOD and OOD are the usual choices for small and medium businesses. OOD owners should agree on voting, funding, share transfers, exits, and deadlocks before they register.
A foreign business can also open a branch in Bulgaria. The foreign parent remains responsible because a branch is not a separate company.
Bulgaria company registration requirements for foreign founders
Bulgarian, EU, and non-EU founders can own an EOOD or shares in an OOD. Foreign founders may need:
- a passport or foreign-company record
- certified Bulgarian translations
- an apostille or other certification for documents signed abroad
- a power of attorney for a remote filing
- source-of-funds and ownership records for the bank
Company ownership does not create immigration status or tax residence. See our guide to opening a company in Bulgaria as a foreigner for the extra steps.
A standard EOOD or OOD filing also needs the company rules, founder decisions, manager appointment, manager declarations, proof of paid capital, and the Commercial Register application. Filed documents become public, so leave out private terms that do not belong in the public record.
Bulgarian company formation step by step
1. Set the ownership and management
Choose the owners, their shares, the manager, and the voting rules. Put any special founder rights in the company rules or a separate agreement.
2. Check the company name
The name must not match an existing Bulgarian company. Check the Bulgarian Commercial Register. A company name registration does not protect the name as a trademark.
3. Secure an address
Every company needs a registered office and management address in Bulgaria. Use an address that someone monitors because authorities may send notices there.
4. Sign the documents
Prepare the company rules, founder decisions, manager documents, and required declarations. Foreign documents may need translation, an apostille, or another form of certification.
5. Pay the capital
An EOOD or OOD usually opens a capital account before registration. Deposit the subscribed capital and obtain the bank's confirmation.
6. File with the Commercial Register
File online with an accepted qualified electronic signature or use an approved professional filer. Online filing usually costs less than paper filing. Errors in names, declarations, or foreign documents can delay or stop the application.
7. Receive the UIC or EIK
The register assigns the company its UIC or EIK. Use this number on invoices, contracts, tax filings, bank applications, and licence applications.
How long does registration take?
The Commercial Register often reviews a complete application within a few business days. Document preparation and the bank account usually take longer. Foreign corporate owners and complex ownership chains need extra checks.
Bulgaria company registration cost
There is no fixed total. Budget for:
- the Commercial Register filing fee
- bank and notary charges
- translations and document certification
- legal or filing support
- a registered-address service if needed
- accounting, VAT, payroll, or licence work
Confirm current fees before you start. A cheap filing can become expensive if the documents, VAT plan, or bank setup are wrong.
Company search and registration certificates
Use the public register for a Bulgaria company registration search. Search by name or UIC/EIK to see the status, managers, address, owners shown on the record, capital, and published documents.
If a bank or authority asks for a company registration certificate, ask which document it accepts. It may need a register extract or current-status certificate, with an apostille and translation for use abroad.
Duties after registration
Set up accounting before the first transaction. Review VAT before the first invoice because EU trade, cross-border services, and online sales can bring special rules.
The manager should also check:
- beneficial-owner filings
- the manager's contract and social-security status
- payroll and employment registrations
- licences or sector approvals
- GDPR duties
- annual accounts and tax deadlines
A Bulgarian company pays 10% corporate income tax on its taxable profit. Our Bulgarian corporate tax guide explains tax, dividends, VAT, and filing duties.
Common registration mistakes
Most avoidable delays come from incomplete documents or decisions made too late. Watch for these problems:
- choosing a legal form without planning for new owners or investors
- using basic company rules when the founders need special voting rights
- assuming ownership creates residence or work rights
- allowing too little time for foreign documents and bank checks
- issuing invoices before checking VAT rules
- using an address that nobody monitors
- mixing personal money with company funds
- missing annual accounts, tax returns, or owner-information filings
Also check where the company is managed. Running it from another country can create tax duties there even when the company is registered in Bulgaria.
Company registration checklist
Before filing, confirm the legal form, owners, manager, company name, address, capital, documents, and bank plan. After registration, verify the public record, activate the operating account, appoint an accountant, and review VAT and licence deadlines.
Register a company with Lion Consult
Lion Consult helps Bulgarian and foreign founders with registration, address services, accounting, VAT, payroll, bank coordination, and ongoing filings.
Contact Lion Consult to discuss your company and the documents you will need.
This article gives general information. It is not legal, tax, immigration, accounting, or investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does company registration in Bulgaria take?
The Commercial Register often reviews a complete application within a few business days. Preparing documents, opening the capital account, and completing bank checks may take longer.
How much does it cost to register a company in Bulgaria?
The total includes the filing fee and may also include bank, notary, translation, address, and professional-service costs. Confirm the current charges before filing.
What is the minimum capital for a Bulgarian EOOD or OOD?
The legal minimum for a standard EOOD or OOD is EUR 1. The company may need more money to cover its real operating costs.
Can a foreigner register a company in Bulgaria?
Yes. EU and non-EU individuals and foreign companies may own a Bulgarian company. Ownership alone does not give the owner a visa, residence permit, or right to work.
What is a Bulgarian company registration number?
The Commercial Register gives each company a unique identification code called a UIC or EIK. Companies use it in filings, contracts, invoices, and public register searches.
How can I search for a Bulgarian company?
Search the public Bulgarian Commercial Register by legal name or UIC/EIK. The record shows the company's status, managers, address, capital, and published documents.
Does a Bulgarian company need VAT registration immediately?
No. The answer depends on turnover and the transactions the company plans to make. Cross-border services, EU trade, and e-commerce can trigger earlier registration rules.