The most common forms of company registration in Bulgaria are the EOOD (for a single owner) and the OOD (for at least two owners). Starting in 2026, the minimum capital requirement will be €1, and the standard corporate income tax rate will be 10%. To establish a company, you will also need a manager, a local registered address, capital, and registration documents; tax and business licensing requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis.
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When registering a company in Bulgaria, you must first select a legal form based on the number of owners: an EOOD is owned by a single owner who holds the entire capital, while an OOD has at least two owners. Both must appoint a manager and submit incorporation documents to the Commercial Register. The minimum capital requirement will be €1 starting in 2026; however, the statutory minimum does not reflect the actual funds required to operate the business.
For founders based overseas, it is recommended to allow approximately 1–3 weeks for project planning, covering everything from preparing documents for signing, translation and certification, capital arrangements, to registration; please note that the statutory processing time for the registration authority to complete a complete application differs from the overall preparation period. Bank account opening, VAT registration, and industry licensing are not included in this estimate. For referenceGuide to Establishing a Business in Bulgaria with Business Registration Form. For other EU pathways, please refer to the followingOverview of Company Registration in Europe.
An individual or a legal entity acting as the sole owner may consider forming an EOOD; if there are at least two owners, an OOD may be considered. Both require a manager and incorporation documents. In the case of a partnership, the partnership agreement should clearly specify the arrangements for capital contributions, governance, transfers, and exits. SeeBulgarian Ministry of Economy Guide.
Starting in 2026, the statutory minimum capital for a limited liability company will be €1. However, actual operations will still require consideration of costs related to office space, banking, personnel, accounting, VAT, and business licenses. Applicants should allocate sufficient funds based on their business activities and retain proof of capital contribution.
There are statutory deadlines for processing business registration applications with complete documentation; however, the time required for signatures by overseas founders, notarization, translation, capital arrangements, and the submission of supplementary documents may extend the overall processing time. We recommend allowing approximately 1–3 weeks for standard processing; bank account setup and licensing are handled separately.
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Assist in organizing the documentation required for establishing an EOOD or OOD, as well as arranging for a manager and a business address; conduct separate reviews for registration, bank account opening, and licensing.
We will coordinate the signing, notarization, and registration preparations for the documents within the agreed scope; actual service and third-party fees are subject to the quotation.
Coordinate company formation, tax matters, and ongoing compliance in accordance with the project scope; approval of regulatory licenses and bank accounts is not guaranteed.
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In Bulgaria, both EOOD and OOD are limited liability companies; the main difference lies in the number of owners: an EOOD has one owner, while an OOD has at least two. The company must specify its name, registered and management addresses, business activities, capital, and manager; the manager may be a shareholder or a third party. If there are multiple investors, the agreement should clearly outline the distribution of shares, voting rights, and representation arrangements to avoid relying solely on generic templates and overlooking the actual transaction arrangements.
According to the guidelines issued by the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, the following documents are typically required for registration with the Commercial Registry: a resolution or partnership agreement establishing the entity, documents appointing managers, notarized signature samples, proof of capital contribution, and the corresponding declaration. These documents must be submitted using an A4 application form. If a foreign legal entity serves as a shareholder, documents confirming the entity’s existence and authority to act on its behalf may also be required. Electronic submission depends on the applicable electronic signature and document requirements; remote signing cannot replace all forms of authentication and identity verification.
Article 117 of the Commercial Code sets the minimum capital for limited liability companies at €1, effective in 2026; the European Central Bank has confirmed that Bulgaria will join the eurozone that same year. Any registered capital or fees listed in earlier records in leva should be reconciled with the current euro amounts. Please refer to the specific documents for details.Guidelines for Establishing an EOOD/OOD under the Ministry of Economy, "Commercial Law" and European Central Bank Euro Conversion Guide.
The process of registering a company in Bulgaria can be divided into three stages: determining the legal entity and name, preparing the incorporation and capital documents, and submitting the A4 application to the Commercial Registry. There are statutory time limits for the initial registration process, but these limits are calculated from the date of formal submission; Certification of foreign shareholders, manager signatures, notarization, translation, bank capital verification, and the submission of supplementary documents may all occur either before filing or during the approval process. If the text simply states “2–3 business days,” readers may mistakenly assume that the entire process—from initial consultation to the start of business operations—can be completed within that timeframe.
For standard EOOD/OODs with complete documentation, we recommend allowing approximately 1–3 weeks for the process from project initiation to receipt of registration documents. This timeline should be reassessed if the case involves multi-tiered shareholding structures, cross-border signings, regulated businesses, or requests for corrective action. Once registration is approved, additional procedures such as VAT registration, employment and social security matters, business licensing, and opening a bank account may be required; these cannot be included in the single processing time frame for the registry review.Official Establishment ProceduresList the materials and A4 form requirements.
ChesaGroup can assist in comparing business structures, compiling a list of required documents, and coordinating with local service providers; decisions regarding registration and account opening are made independently by the respective institutions. If you’d like to compare this with other European locations, please readGuide to Registering a Company in Europe and Cyprus Company Registration.
The standard corporate income tax rate in Bulgaria is 10% of taxable income; however, not all income is directly taxed at this rate, nor does this mean that the company has no other tax obligations. Dividends, employee compensation, cross-border transactions, and the actual place of management may give rise to additional tax issues. The Ministry of Finance specifies that resident enterprises must file annual corporate tax returns in accordance with regulations; accounts, annual reports, and changes to business registration details must also be maintained on an ongoing basis by the designated responsible person. SeeBulgarian Ministry of Finance Corporate Tax Guide.
The standard VAT rate is 20%, but different rules may apply to certain goods or services. The Bulgarian tax authorities have clarified that, effective January 2026, taxpayers established in Bulgaria with annual domestic turnover exceeding €51,130 are generally required to apply for VAT registration under Article 96; For cross-border services and special transactions, there may be additional registration triggers. It is not advisable to assume that VAT is not applicable solely because turnover does not meet the threshold. Please refer toCurrent VAT Registration Rules of the Tax Authorities and Ministry of Finance Explanation of VAT Rates.
If a company plans to provide payment, investment, digital asset, or other regulated services, it must continue to verify its licenses, capital, responsible officers, and ongoing reporting obligations with the competent authorities based on its actual activities even after incorporation. Bank accounts will also be subject to verification of beneficial owners, source of funds, and business substance; the minimum capital requirement of €1 is distinct from the operating capital that may be required to open an account. Companies should budget separately for the three main areas: incorporation, taxation, and licensing.
First, confirm the EOOD/OOD structure and appoint a manager; then prepare the capital and incorporation documents; finally, submit the A4 application and handle tax and accounting matters. We generally recommend setting aside approximately 1–3 weeks (estimated), not including the time required for license and bank reviews.
Determine the Format and Materials
Select either EOOD or OOD based on the number of owners, verify the name, scope of business, manager, address, and industry licenses, and compile information on shareholders and beneficial owners.
Signing, Capital, and Registration
Prepare the incorporation documents, the manager’s signature specimen, and proof of capital; translate or certify them as needed; have the appropriate applicant submit the A4 form and handle any requests for additional documentation.
Begin operations after registration
Review tax and VAT matters, accounting, and annual filings, and independently arrange for opening bank accounts, employment registration, or permits for regulated activities.
Arrange a free initial consultation with our advisory team. We can discuss your questions, review the proposed project and identify regulatory options suited to its objectives and budget.
Contact us and a dedicated adviser will respond within 24 business hours. The initial consultation is free and carries no obligation.
When selecting a Bulgarian company structure, distinguish between the number of owners for an EOOD and an OOD, and verify the manager, registered and management addresses, capital, and beneficial ownership. After company registration, tax, VAT, accounting, and regulated business licensing matters must be handled on an ongoing basis in accordance with actual business operations. As the euro will be adopted starting in 2026, fees previously denominated in levs should be re-verified.
For detailed instructions, please refer toOfficial Guide to the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy.
Confirm the number of shareholders, as well as the manager, company name, address, capital, and scope of business; prepare the incorporation documents and proof of capital; and then submit the A4 application to the business registration authority. Activities requiring a license must be applied for separately with the relevant regulatory authority. The registration taking effect and the preparation for actual business operations are separate stages.
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