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This article is also available in German: Firma in Bulgarien gründen – Schritt für Schritt: Vom Namenscheck bis zur Steuernummer
How do you actually go from "I want a Bulgarian company" to a registered EOOD with a tax number and a working bank account? In part 1 of this series we looked at the big picture. Now we walk through the process itself – in the order it actually happens, with realistic timelines for each step. We use the EOOD (single-member limited company) as the example, because that is what most foreign founders choose.
Check your desired name against the Commercial Register (free, online) before drafting anything. If the name is taken, the filing will be rejected and you pay the state fee again. For a small fee the name can also be reserved. More on the register itself in our Registry Agency overview.
For an EOOD the core set is:
The documents are in Bulgarian; serious providers prepare bilingual versions so you know what you sign. You can generate the standard set yourself with our free document generator – fully switched to euro amounts since 2026.
If you sign in Bulgaria: notarization costs roughly €10–€30 and takes minutes; many notaries in Sofia work with interpreters. If you sign abroad: you notarize locally (often €50–€150+), add an apostille (€20–€80) and a certified translation into Bulgarian – or sign at a Bulgarian embassy. This difference is the core of the "remote formation" question, which we cover in part 4.
Before filing, the share capital of an EOOD/OOD must sit in a special capital-deposit account (набирателна сметка) at a Bulgarian bank, and the bank issues a certificate for the register. Even with €100 capital, this step matters, because it is your first encounter with Bulgarian bank KYC. Some banks open capital accounts quickly; others already ask the full compliance questionnaire here.
The exception: the variable capital company (VCC) does not require a capital-deposit account before registration – one reason it has become the favourite route for fully remote formations.
The application (form A4 for an EOOD/OOD) plus all annexes goes to the Commercial Register – on paper at a Registry Agency office, or electronically, which halves the state fee to roughly €28. Electronic filing requires a Bulgarian qualified e-signature, which is why in practice a local lawyer usually files on your behalf.
Processing time: typically 1–3 business days. If something is wrong (name conflict, missing declaration, wrong wording) you get a rejection or instruction to correct – another reason the document quality in step 2 matters.
With registration your company receives its EIK (unified identification code) – the single number used for tax, contracts, invoices and every official interaction. There is no separate trade licence step for ordinary activities; regulated sectors (finance, food, transport, medical…) need their specific licences on top. A company seal is customary but not legally required.
Now you can unblock the capital account and convert it into (or replace it with) an operational business account. For foreign owners this is honestly the slowest part: banks run full KYC on non-resident shareholders, want to understand your business model, and often prefer to meet you in person. Plan 2–4 weeks for a traditional bank account; e-money institutions (Wise, Revolut Business and similar) can bridge the gap for SEPA payments but are not a full substitute for every purpose.
Engage your accountant at formation, not at year-end. In practice every Bulgarian company runs monthly bookkeeping through an accounting firm (typically €80–€250/month for an active foreign-owned business; details in part 3). The accountant also handles:
| Scenario | Until registration | Until fully operational (incl. bank) |
| You come to Bulgaria in person | 3–7 business days | 1–3 weeks |
| Fully remote via power of attorney | 2–3 weeks | 4–7 weeks |
| Register processing itself (electronic) | 1–3 business days | – |
The spread comes almost entirely from notarization logistics (abroad vs. in Bulgaria) and bank KYC – not from the register, which is genuinely fast.
The process itself is well-trodden and fast – the register does its part in days. The steps that need planning are the notarized signature, the bank and the VAT question. In part 3 we put euro amounts on every single step – including the ones the advertised prices leave out.
If you would rather have the whole chain – documents, notary appointment with translation, register filing, bank support – handled with personal guidance in English or German, that is exactly our all-inclusive formation package. Or start by generating your documents free of charge with our document generator.
All figures are a snapshot as of July 2026 and typical market ranges, not binding prices. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Formation & Law
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Formation & Law
Almost every provider advertises remote formation – and for the registration it is largely true. But power of attorney, apostille, capital account and above all the bank draw the real line. What works from abroad, what doesn't, and when one flight beats it all. Part 4 of our formation series.
Formation & Law
Formation offers range from €89 to €1,700 – and neither number tells you what you will actually pay. Every one-off and recurring cost of a Bulgarian EOOD, the six places hidden costs hide, and how to compare offers properly. Part 3 of our formation series.