Business entities in Bulgaria in 2024

Healy Consultants assists our Clients by optimizing the corporate structure for their new business in Bulgaria. There are several ways of doing business in Bulgaria, the most common being to set up a limited liability company. See the page below for further information on alternative business entities available for registration in Bulgaria and their business setup requirements.

• Doing business in Bulgaria with a local entity

  • The Bulgaria limited liability company (OOD)

    • A limited liability company in Bulgaria can be incorporated with i) a single shareholder (in these cases, the abbreviation is EOOD to denote the single-member nature of the company) and ii) a single director, whom both can be of any nationality and are not required to be ordinarily resident in Bulgaria. Set at only €1, the minimum capital required for LLC incorporation is another advantage of Bulgaria business setup;
    • Following incorporation, the company will be required to file its annual financial statements with the Bulgarian Trade Register every year, before March 31^st.
    • Best uses for a limited liability company: the Bulgarian limited liability company is the most commonly legal vehicle used by foreigners in order to start a business in Bulgaria. It is an adequate vehicle for both trading and manufacturing activities.

  • The Bulgaria Joint Stock Company (AD/EAD)

    • A joint stock company (JSC) can be incorporated with i) a single shareholder (locally known as an EAD) or ii) two or more shareholders (AD company). The Bulgarian authorities will require i) an initial share capital of at least €25,000, 25% of which must be paid up at incorporation ii) appointment of a Board of directors comprising at least three members and iii) appointment of a certified accountant;
    • All Bulgarian JSCs are required to i) have their balance sheet and annual financial statements audited by a certified accountant and ii) file them with the Bulgarian Trade Register before March 31^st each year.
    • Best uses for a joint stock company: to give your company a marketing edge, Healy Consultants recommends the setting up a joint stock company in Bulgaria, instead of using an OOD. Our Clients often find that an AD or EAD company allows them to raise capital more easily in Europe in order to finance their business expansion. Indeed, the Bulgarian company law does not restrict the issuance and transfer of shares by JSCs. Bulgarian JSCs can also be listed on either the Sofia Stock Exchange or on another stock exhchange in the EU, including: i) EuroNext and ii) the London Stock Exchange;

  • The Bulgaria limited partnership

    • The limited partnership in Bulgaria is formed by a minimum of two partners with different powers and liability over the company’s debt. At least one “general partner” must be fully liable while other “limited partners” will only be liable to the extent of their (unpaid) contribution to the partnership;
    • Best uses for a limited partnership: the LP is a good entity for our Clients who already have a partner in Bulgaria and for Clients planning to provide professional services, such as accounting or legal services.

  • The Bulgaria free zone company

    • Foreigners can form a wholly foreign owned company and register it in one of Bulgaria numerous free economic zones and industrial zones. The former are usually intended to host export-oriented businesses, while the latter focus on providing adequate infrastructure and facilities for manufacturing operations. Minimum requirements will vary from one zone to another and usually include a minimum number of job created and minimum capital requirements;
    • Best uses for a free zone company: registering a company in a free economic zone or industrial zone is the optimal way to start a manufacturing and/or export oriented business in Bulgaria. See also this page for alternative low cost manufacturing locations in Eastern Europe.

  • The Bulgaria sole proprietorship

    • Both locals and resident foreigners can register a sole proprietorship in Bulgaria. This entity is registered in the Bulgarian Trade Registrar but will not confer limited liability to the sole trader. It does not require capital for its registration;
    • Best uses for a free zone company: registering a sole proprietorship is a good way for self-employed locals and foreigners already living in Bulgaria to start a business.

• Doing business in Bulgaria with a foreign entity

  • The Bulgaria branch office

    • In accordance with the Bulgarian Trade Law, foreign companies can open branch office entities in Bulgaria to do business. Because branches are not considered as separate legal entities, their parent company will be subject to unlimited liability for losses incurred by the branch;
    • The Bulgaria branch must i) appoint a resident legal representative and ii) file annual financial statements with the Bulgarian Trade Register before March 31^st each year.
    • Best uses for a branch office: registering a branch instead of a separate subsidiary enables our Client to minimize accounting and bookkeeping obligations, as the accounts of the head office and the branch will be the same. It is also a good business entity when our Clients plans to provide products or services subject to a licensing requirement with a high amount of capital required. Our Clients should however be cautious when opting for a branch, as their foreign company will bear unlimited liability for the debts and losses of the Bulgaria branch.

  • The Bulgaria representative office (also known as trade representative office)

    • A representative office can be registered in Bulgaria by a foreign company. While this entity will not be subject to corporate income tax in Bulgaria, it is not allowed to invoice customers or to conduct productive operations in Bulgaria;
    • Best uses for a representative office: A representative office can be used when our Client is seeking to venture in the Bulgarian markets or attract local customers for products and services sold by the foreign main office of the company.

• Table of comparison between Bulgaria entities

  Operations and logistics	LLC	JSC	LP	Sole proprietorship	Free Zone company	Branch	RO
  Doing business in Bulgaria permitted?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
  Allowed to sign contracts with local Clients?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
  Allowed to invoice local Clients?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
  Can register the company with a virtual office solution?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Allowed to import raw materials?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
  Allowed to export goods?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
  Accounting and tax
  Standard Bulgaria corporate tax?	10%	10%	0%	0%	10%	10%	0%
  Corporate bank account?	BNP Paribas	UniCredit	Reiffeisen bank	Reiffeisen bank	Societe Generale	UniCredit	DBank
  Statutory audit always required?	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
  Annual tax return to be submitted?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Access to DTAAs?	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
  Company law
  Issued share capital required?	€1	€25,000	€2	€1	€1	None	None
  Resident director/manager required?	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
  Bulgarian shareholder /partner required?	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
  Minimum number of directors/managers?	1	3	2	1	1	1	1
  Minimum number of shareholders/partners?	1	1	2	1	1	Parent company	Parent company
  Individual shareholders/partners allowed?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
  Corporate shareholders/partners allowed?	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Parent company	Parent company
  Public register of shareholders and directors?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Immigration
  Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Bulgaria?	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
  How long to get work permit approved	3 months	3 months	3 months	N/A	3 months	3 months	3 months
  Fees
  Estimate of engagement costs	€10,460	€9,160	€8,680	€7,980	€13,400	€8,160	€8,260
  Draft invoice	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF	View invoice PDF