Registering a company in Bulgaria gives entrepreneurs access to an EU business jurisdiction with a 10% corporate income-tax rate, a public Commercial Register, and limited-liability structures suitable for both local and international owners.

The registration filing itself is only one part of a compliant setup. Founders must choose the right legal form, prepare accurate incorporation documents, establish a registered office, appoint management, fund the capital, and plan for accounting, tax, VAT, and beneficial-owner duties.

This complete guide explains the main decisions, steps, costs, and obligations involved in company registration in Bulgaria.

Company law, tax, official fees, and filing practices can change. This guide provides general information and should not replace advice based on the founders, ownership structure, and planned activity.

Company Registration in Bulgaria at a Glance

Why Register a Company in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is often considered by founders who want an EU company with predictable taxation and comparatively affordable operating costs. Its main commercial advantages include:

• a flat 10% corporate income-tax rate
• the euro as Bulgaria's official currency since 1 January 2026
• a generally applicable 5% withholding tax on dividends paid to individuals, subject to exemptions and tax treaties
• access to the EU single market
• limited-liability company structures for one or multiple owners
• a public online company register
• the ability to establish and manage many businesses remotely
• a broad network of double-tax treaties

Tax rates should not be the only reason to choose a jurisdiction. Banking, management location, employees, customers, licences, VAT, and the owner's personal tax residence can all affect whether Bulgaria is the right fit.

Choose the Right Bulgarian Legal Form

The legal form determines ownership, liability, governance, capital, and reporting requirements. The most relevant options for a new business are:

For many small and medium-sized businesses, the practical choice is between an EOOD and an OOD. The two forms follow similar incorporation rules, but an OOD requires the founders to agree on ownership, decision-making, transfers, exits, and dispute resolution.

The statutory minimum capital for a standard EOOD or OOD is EUR 1. Founders should still choose a realistic capital and financing plan for the company's actual operating needs.

Can a Foreigner Register a Company in Bulgaria?

Yes. Bulgarian company registration is generally available to Bulgarian, EU, and non-EU founders. A foreign individual or foreign legal entity can usually own all shares in an EOOD or participate in an OOD.

Foreign founders commonly need additional preparation:

• passport or foreign-company documents
• certified Bulgarian translations
• apostille or legalisation where required
• powers of attorney for remote incorporation
• evidence requested by a bank or payment provider during KYC checks

Owning a Bulgarian company does not automatically grant immigration status, tax residence, or permission to work in Bulgaria. Our guide on opening a company in Bulgaria as a foreigner covers the foreign-founder process in more detail.

Documents Required to Register an EOOD or OOD

The exact documents depend on the company and its owners. A standard limited-liability registration commonly requires:

• articles of association for an OOD or an incorporation act for an EOOD
• founding resolutions or minutes
• a resolution appointing the manager
• the manager's consent and specimen signature in the required form
• statutory declarations from the manager and applicant
• evidence that the subscribed capital has been paid
• an application to the Commercial Register
• powers of attorney where representatives are used
• beneficial-owner information or declarations where required

The incorporation document normally states the company name, registered office and address, business activities, capital, ownership, management, and decision-making rules.

Documents filed in the Commercial Register become publicly accessible. Founders should avoid placing unnecessary confidential commercial terms or personal information in documents intended for publication.

Step-by-Step Company Registration Process

1. Select the Legal Form and Ownership Structure

Decide who will own the company, how shares will be divided, who will manage it, and how important decisions will be approved. Co-founders should address voting, transfers, funding, deadlock, and exit arrangements before filing.

2. Choose and Check the Company Name

The legal name must be distinguishable from names already registered in Bulgaria. Search the Bulgarian Commercial Register before preparing the final documents.

A registered company name is not the same as a protected trademark. Businesses building a brand should separately review trademark availability and protection.

3. Establish the Registered Office and Address

Every Bulgarian company needs a registered office and management address. Official notices may be served at the registered address, so it must be reliable and monitored. Any later change must be filed with the Commercial Register.

4. Prepare and Sign the Incorporation Documents

The documents must accurately reflect the ownership and governance arrangements. Standard templates may be insufficient where there are multiple founders, investor rights, reserved decisions, or planned share transfers.

Foreign-language documents generally need a certified Bulgarian translation. Documents signed abroad may also require an apostille or legalisation, depending on the issuing country and document type.

5. Pay the Registered Capital

For a conventional EOOD or OOD, founders normally open a capital-raising account and deposit the subscribed capital before registration. The bank then issues evidence for the filing.

Bank onboarding can take longer than the Commercial Register review, especially where the ownership chain is international or the activity is considered higher risk.

6. File the Application with the Commercial Register

The incorporation application and supporting documents are submitted to the Registry Agency. Electronic filing is generally less expensive than a paper filing and requires an accepted qualified electronic signature or an authorised professional filer.

The registration officer reviews whether the filing meets the legal requirements. Missing declarations, inconsistent documents, name issues, or incorrectly certified foreign documents can lead to instructions or a refusal.

7. Receive the Company Registration Number

Once registered, the company receives a unique identification code, called a UIC or EIK in Bulgaria. This is the Bulgarian company registration number used in:

• contracts and invoices
• tax and employment filings
• bank and payment-provider onboarding
• public company searches
• applications for licences and registrations

The company's registered circumstances and published documents can be checked through a Bulgaria company registration search in the public Commercial Register.

How Long Does Company Registration Take?

The Commercial Register commonly reviews a complete incorporation filing within a few business days. The full setup process is often longer because it may include:

• agreeing the ownership and governance structure
• preparing and signing documents
• translations, notarisation, apostille, or legalisation
• opening the capital-raising account
• correcting filing instructions
• post-registration bank onboarding
• VAT registration or licensing

A straightforward locally signed EOOD can be much faster than a company with foreign corporate shareholders or a complex ownership chain.

Bulgaria Company Registration Cost

There is no single fixed total cost. A realistic budget should consider:

Confirm current official fees and third-party charges before starting. Choosing the cheapest filing option without addressing governance, VAT, banking, and compliance can create much larger costs later.

Company Registration Certificate and Company Search

Bulgarian companies are recorded electronically in the Commercial Register. In practice, counterparties commonly verify a company by searching its name or UIC/EIK and reviewing its current registered circumstances.

The register can show information such as:

• legal name and UIC/EIK
• legal form and status
• registered office and address
• managers and representation rights
• owners or shareholders where publicly recorded
• registered capital
• published incorporation documents and annual financial statements

When a bank, platform, or foreign authority requests a "company registration certificate," confirm exactly what it requires. Depending on the purpose, it may accept a register extract, a certificate of current status, or another official document, sometimes with apostille and translation.

Post-Registration Obligations

Registration creates the company, but it does not complete the business setup. The manager should address the following immediately.

Accounting and Tax

Every Bulgarian company must keep accounting records and comply with annual reporting and tax obligations. Engage an accountant before the company starts trading so invoices, expenses, contracts, payroll, and deadlines are handled correctly from day one.

Bulgarian companies generally pay 10% corporate income tax on taxable profit. Read our Bulgaria corporate tax guide for a fuller explanation of corporate tax, dividends, VAT, and compliance.

VAT Assessment

VAT registration is not determined only by the general turnover threshold. Cross-border services, EU transactions, e-commerce, and other activities can trigger special registration or reporting rules earlier. Review VAT before issuing the first invoice.

Beneficial-Owner Compliance

The company must assess whether separate ultimate-beneficial-owner information or declarations must be filed. The result depends on whether the beneficial owners are already visible in the Commercial Register and on the ownership chain.

Manager, Employees, and Social Security

The manager's contract and social-security position must be structured correctly. Employment contracts, payroll registrations, health and social contributions, and workplace obligations apply when the company hires staff.

Licences and Data Protection

Some activities require a licence, registration, notification, or sector approval before trading. Businesses processing personal data must also comply with the GDPR and applicable Bulgarian data-protection rules.

Common Company Registration Mistakes

Avoid these frequent problems:

1. Choosing a legal form without considering investors, liability, or future share transfers.
2. Using generic articles of association for a multi-founder business.
3. Assuming company ownership grants Bulgarian residence or work rights.
4. Underestimating foreign-document and bank KYC timelines.
5. Starting transactions before reviewing VAT obligations.
6. Using a registered address that is not reliably monitored.
7. Mixing personal and company funds.
8. Missing accounting, tax, beneficial-owner, or annual-reporting deadlines after incorporation.
9. Managing the company from another country without considering foreign tax-residence or permanent-establishment risk.

Company Registration Checklist

Before filing:

1. Confirm Bulgaria is suitable for the business and owners.
2. Choose the legal form, owners, capital, and manager.
3. Agree governance and founder protections.
4. Check the company name and trademark position.
5. Secure a reliable registered address.
6. Prepare, translate, and certify all documents.
7. Open the capital account and pay the subscribed capital.
8. File the complete application with the Commercial Register.

After registration:

1. Verify the register entry and obtain the UIC/EIK.
2. Open or activate the operating bank account.
3. Put accounting and invoicing processes in place.
4. Review VAT, beneficial-owner, payroll, and social-security duties.
5. Obtain any required licences or registrations.
6. Create a calendar for tax and annual reporting deadlines.

Register a Company in Bulgaria with Lion Consult

Lion Consult assists Bulgarian and international founders with company registration, ownership structuring, registered-address solutions, accounting, VAT, payroll, banking coordination, and ongoing compliance.

Planning these matters together reduces delays and creates a company that is ready to operate after it appears in the register.

Contact Lion Consult to discuss your proposed Bulgarian company and the steps required for registration.

This guide provides general information and is not legal, tax, immigration, accounting, or investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does company registration in Bulgaria take?

Once a complete application is filed, the Commercial Register commonly reviews it within a few business days. Document preparation, capital-account opening, translations, and bank checks can extend the overall setup timeline.

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

The total depends on the legal form, filing method, bank and notary charges, translations, legal support, registered-address services, and any licence or VAT work. Official fees and third-party charges should be confirmed before filing.

What is the minimum capital for a Bulgarian EOOD or OOD?

The statutory minimum registered capital for a standard Bulgarian EOOD or OOD is EUR 1. Founders should still provide a realistic financing plan for the company's actual operating needs.

Can a foreigner register a company in Bulgaria?

Yes. EU and non-EU individuals and foreign legal entities can generally own a Bulgarian company. Incorporation does not by itself grant the owner a visa, residence permit, or right to work in Bulgaria.

What is a Bulgarian company registration number?

The Commercial Register issues the company a unique identification code, commonly called a UIC or EIK. It is used to identify the company in official filings, contracts, invoices, and public register searches.

How can I search for a Bulgarian company?

Use the public Bulgarian Commercial Register maintained by the Registry Agency. A company can normally be searched by its legal name or UIC/EIK to review registered circumstances and published documents.

Does a Bulgarian company need VAT registration immediately?

Not always. VAT registration depends on turnover and the transactions performed, and special rules can apply before the general turnover threshold is reached. Voluntary registration may also be available.