Head of International Corporate Law and Fintech Practice
Expert in fintech, crypto, and international corporate law with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in crypto licensing (VASP/CASP), iGaming business support, and international structuring, asset protection, and OSINT analytics for risk assessment and due diligence.
REGISTRATION OF A BUSINESS (FIRM) IN BULGARIA
Registering a business in Bulgaria is an attractive solution for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the European market.
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria offers favorable conditions for doing business, including low taxes, simplified registration procedures, and access to European markets.
The law firm “Prikhodko & Partners” has prepared a detailed overview of the process of registering a company in Bulgaria to help you take the first steps towards creating a successful business.

Why is Bulgaria attractive for business?
Bulgaria has a number of advantages that make it a popular choice for foreign investors and entrepreneurs:
- Low tax burden. Corporate tax in Bulgaria is only 10%, one of the lowest in Europe. Dividend tax is also 5%, which helps attract foreign investment.
- EU membership. Registering a company in Bulgaria provides access to European Union markets, including the ability to participate in funding programs and grants.
- Easy registration. The procedure for setting up a company in Bulgaria is relatively quick and transparent, especially for foreign citizens.
- Low costs of doing business. Office rent, employee salaries, and other operating costs in Bulgaria are significantly lower than in many other EU countries.
- Flexibility for foreigners. There are no restrictions on foreign citizens owning a business in Bulgaria, making the country open to international entrepreneurs.
The law firm “Prikhodko & Partners” has many years of experience in supporting business projects in Bulgaria and is ready to help you at every stage.
Main forms of business in Bulgaria
Before starting the registration process, it is important to decide on the legal form of the company.
The following basic forms are available in Bulgaria:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC). The most common form for small and medium-sized businesses. The minimum authorized capital is only 2 BGN (approximately 1 EUR). The liability of the participants is limited to their contributions to the capital.
- Joint Stock Company (JSC). Suitable for large companies that plan to attract significant investments. Minimum authorized capital is 50,000 BGN.
- Individual entrepreneur (IE). An ideal option for individual entrepreneurs who want to run a business on their own.
- It can be general (partnership) or limited (limited partnership), depending on the level of liability of the participants.
For foreign entrepreneurs, LLC is most often chosen due to its ease of management and minimal capital requirements. Prikhodko & Partners specialists will help you choose the optimal form, taking into account your business goals.
Step-by-step business registration process
Registering a company in Bulgaria consists of several stages. Below we will look at the main steps that need to be completed.
Step 1: Choosing a company name
The first step is to choose a unique name for your company. The name must be unique and not similar to companies already registered in Bulgaria. The availability of the name is checked through the Bulgarian Trade Register.
It is important that the name meets the requirements of the legislation and contains an indication of the organizational and legal form (for example, “LLC” for a limited liability company).
Prikhodko & Partners lawyers will help you check the availability of the name and avoid possible errors at this stage.
Step 2: Preparing documents
To register a company, you must prepare the following documents:
- Company charter. A document that defines the structure, goals, and rules of a company.
- Decision to establish a company. Confirms the founders’ intention to establish a company.
- Application to the Trade Register. An official document for entering a company into the register.
- Proof of contribution of authorized capital. For an LLC, it is necessary to open a bank account and contribute the minimum capital (2 BGN).
- Documents certifying the identity of the founders. For foreigners – copies of international passports with notarization.
All documents must be prepared in Bulgarian or accompanied by an official translation. Prikhodko & Partners will provide professional translation and notarization of documents.
Step 3: Opening a bank account
To contribute the authorized capital, a temporary bank account must be opened in a Bulgarian bank.
After the capital is contributed, the bank issues a certificate, which is filed with the Commercial Register. After registration is completed, the account can be used for the company’s operational activities.
Step 4: Submission of documents to the Trade Register
Company registration is carried out through the Bulgarian Trade Register. The application and all necessary documents are submitted electronically or through an authorized representative.
The review process usually takes 3-5 business days. After successful registration, the company is assigned a unique identification code (EIK).
Step 5: Register for taxes
After entering the Trade Register, the company must be registered with the tax authorities to obtain a VAT identification number (if required).
In Bulgaria, the standard VAT rate is 20%, but exemptions may apply for certain types of activities.
Step 6: Obtaining permits and licenses
Depending on the type of business, you may need to obtain special permits or licenses. For example, financial, tourism, or construction companies have separate requirements.
Prikhodko & Partners lawyers will help you determine whether additional permits are required for your business and organize their acquisition.
Terms and costs
Company registration in Bulgaria usually takes 7 to 14 business days, depending on the complexity of the documents and the need to obtain licenses.
The main costs include:
- The state fee for registration in the Trade Register is from BGN 55 (for electronic filing) to BGN 110 (for paper filing).
- Contribution of authorized capital (for LLCs – from 2 BGN).
- The costs of translation and notarization of documents range from 50 to 200 BGN.
- Legal support (depends on the scope of services).
The company “Prikhodko and Partners” offers comprehensive support at affordable prices, which allows you to minimize your costs and time.
Features for foreign citizens
Foreign citizens are free to create and own companies in Bulgaria.
However, there are a few caveats:
- No residency requirement. You do not need to be a resident of Bulgaria to set up a company.
- Company management. A foreigner can be a director of a company, but this may require obtaining a work visa or residence permit.
- Opening a bank account. Some banks may require personal presence to open an account, but this depends on the specific bank.
Prikhodko & Partners specialists will help you understand all the requirements and organize the process in a way that minimizes the need for your personal presence.
Advantages of cooperation with “Prikhodko & Partners”
Registering a business in Bulgaria can be a complicated process, especially for those unfamiliar with local legislation.
Working with the law firm Prikhodko & Partners provides:
- Comprehensive approach. We take care of all the stages – from choosing a name to obtaining licenses.
- Save time. Our specialists know how to optimize the process and avoid bureaucratic delays.
- Individual solutions. We take into account the specifics of your business and offer optimal solutions.
- Transparency. You get a clear understanding of all costs and process steps.
Conclusion
Registering a business in Bulgaria is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the European market with minimal costs.
With low taxes, a simple registration procedure, and support from legal professionals, setting up a company in Bulgaria can be the first step to your success.
The law firm “Prikhodko & Partners” is ready to become your reliable partner on this path. Contact us and we will help you implement your business ideas in Bulgaria quickly, efficiently and without unnecessary costs!
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