How to Open a Company in Bulgaria as a Non-Resident (2026 Guide)
Bulgaria is a popular EU base for non-resident entrepreneurs — thanks to a 10% flat tax, eurozone membership and a fast, low-cost incorporation process. Here is the complete guide: who can own a company, how the remote process works, what it costs, the taxes, and the accounting obligations that follow.
Current as of 2026 — verify changes. General information, not legal or tax advice. Bulgaria joined the eurozone on 1 January 2026 (€1 = 1.95583 BGN).
Can a non-resident own a Bulgarian company?
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can fully own a Bulgarian EOOD (single-owner limited company) or OOD (two or more partners). You do not need Bulgarian residency or citizenship.
There is no requirement for a local director or a local shareholder. A foreign company can even be the sole owner of an EOOD, which makes Bulgaria convenient for holding and subsidiary structures.
Which structure?
For most non-residents, the EOOD is the natural choice — one owner, limited liability, symbolic minimum capital of 2 BGN (≈€1). If you have partners, an OOD lets you set out shares and management in a company agreement.
| EOOD | OOD | |
|---|---|---|
| Owners | 1 | 2+ |
| Founding document | Articles of association | Company agreement |
| Minimum capital | 2 BGN (≈€1) | 2 BGN (≈€1) |
| Corporate tax | 10% | 10% |
| Liability | Limited to capital | Limited to capital |
Step by step
- Choose name, activity, manager and capital.
- We prepare the documents — articles of association, manager’s consent and specimen signature, declarations.
- You sign remotely — via e-signature or a power of attorney, so you don’t have to travel.
- Capital deposit — a symbolic amount (from ~€1) into a founding account.
- Filing with the Commercial Register — registration in 1–3 business days, then you receive your EIK (company ID).
- Post-registration — business bank account, VAT registration if needed, and accounting.
Costs
- State fee: ~€28 (electronic filing) or ~€56 at the counter.
- Minimum capital: 2 BGN (≈€1), which stays in the company.
- Service fee: for document preparation and filing.
A worked example: a remote SaaS founder
Anna lives outside the EU and runs a small software business. She wants an EU company to invoice clients and hold IP. She opens an EOOD remotely: she signs the documents via power of attorney (no travel), deposits the symbolic 2 BGN (≈€1) capital, and the EOOD is entered in the Commercial Register in 1–3 business days with its own EIK. She then opens a business bank account, decides she needs VAT registration because most clients are EU businesses, and puts monthly bookkeeping on autopilot. Her ongoing tax picture: 10% corporate tax on profit and 5% dividend tax when she pays herself. Total cash outlay to start: the state fee plus the symbolic capital plus the service fee.
Taxes
- 10% flat corporate tax on profit.
- 5% dividend tax on distributions (a 2026 increase to 10% is proposed but not yet enacted).
- VAT 20% / 9%, mandatory above €51,130 turnover. See VAT registration.
Full detail in the Bulgaria corporate tax guide.
Accounting obligations
A Bulgarian company has monthly and annual obligations — bookkeeping, tax and VAT returns, annual financial statements. As an owner-manager who works in the company you may also need to register as a self-insured person and pay social contributions. We handle all of this remotely, in English — see accounting services in Bulgaria.
Edge cases for non-residents
- No EU/Bulgarian e-signature? You can sign by notarised power of attorney, so incorporation stays fully remote — no need to travel.
- Foreign company as the owner. Allowed; you’ll provide the parent’s corporate documents with a legalised translation.
- Tax residency of the company vs. the owner. The Bulgarian company is taxed in Bulgaria, but your personal tax position depends on where you are resident — check your home-country rules and any double-tax treaty.
- Banking. Opening a business account as a non-resident may require extra due diligence; plan for it after the EIK is issued.
- Regulated activities. Some sectors need a licence after registration — incorporation is only the first step.
Common mistakes
- Assuming you need a local director or partner. You don’t — 100% foreign ownership and management is fine.
- Forgetting accounting until a deadline hits. Bulgarian companies file monthly and annually from day one; set up bookkeeping early.
- Treating the proposed 10% dividend tax as law. The 2026 proposal to raise dividend tax from 5% to 10% is not enacted — the rate is still 5%.
- Ignoring your home-country tax. A low Bulgarian rate doesn’t override reporting duties where you are personally resident.
- Underestimating banking timelines. The company forms in days; the bank account can take longer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident own 100% of a Bulgarian company? Yes — both individuals and foreign companies can fully own an EOOD or OOD, with no residency or citizenship requirement.
Do I need to travel to Bulgaria? No. You can sign remotely by e-signature or notarised power of attorney.
How long does registration take? Typically 1–3 business days at the Commercial Register after documents are filed.
What are the taxes? 10% flat corporate tax, 5% dividend tax (a proposed 10% rate for 2026 is not enacted), and VAT at 20% / 9% above the €51,130 turnover threshold.
What’s the minimum capital? A symbolic 2 BGN (≈€1), which remains in the company.
Why Bulgaria over other EU options
- Among the lowest taxes in the EU (10% flat corporate and personal).
- Eurozone member since 2026 — no currency risk.
- Fast, cheap incorporation with minimal capital (2 BGN ≈ €1).
- Full EU/EEA market and VAT access.
Ready to start? See company formation in Bulgaria, and once you’re running, our accounting services in Bulgaria keep you compliant in English.