How to register an OOD in Bulgaria — step-by-step (2026)

Registering an OOD (the Bulgarian limited liability company) is one of the cleanest incorporation processes in the EU when you know the path. Roughly 95% of our clients complete the entire registration remotely.

What you'll need before you start

• A passport copy for every shareholder and manager
• A unique company name (we check availability first)
• A registered Bulgarian address (we provide one if you don't have one)
• Decision on share capital (the legal minimum is 2 BGN, around €1)
• A few signatures — most can be done at your local notary or Bulgarian embassy

Step 1 — Choose your structure (OOD vs EOOD)

If you'll be the only shareholder, you want an EOOD (Еднолично ООД). With two or more shareholders, it's an OOD. The corporate tax (10%), accounting obligations, and liability protection are identical — the difference is only in how shareholding is documented. See our EOOD vs OOD guide for the full comparison.

Step 2 — Reserve a company name

Bulgarian company names must be unique nationally. We run a search in the Commercial Register and reserve your preferred name. Allow a backup option in case your first choice is taken.

Step 3 — Draft the Articles of Association

The Articles (Дружествен договор for OOD, Учредителен акт for EOOD) define the share capital, shareholders, management structure, and governance. We draft these in Bulgarian with an English translation so you understand exactly what you're signing.

Step 4 — Sign a Power of Attorney (if not visiting Bulgaria)

If you can't travel to Bulgaria, we prepare a Power of Attorney that lets a Bulgarian lawyer act on your behalf. You sign it at:

• The nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate, or
• A local notary plus an apostille certification

The PoA covers signing the founding documents, opening the capital account, and filing with the Commercial Register.

Step 5 — Deposit the share capital

We open a temporary capital account at a Bulgarian bank in the new company's name and you transfer the share capital. The bank issues a certificate confirming the deposit, which goes into the Commercial Register filing.

Step 6 — Notary signing

Either you visit a Bulgarian notary in person, or your attorney signs on your behalf under PoA. The notary witnesses the founding documents and the shareholders' specimen signatures.

Step 7 — File with the Commercial Register

The full filing package (founding act, shareholders' resolutions, manager consents, capital certificate, notary statements) is submitted electronically. Filing fees are roughly 110 BGN (€55).

Step 8 — Receive your UIC / Bulstat

The Commercial Register typically processes filings in 2–4 business days. You'll receive a UIC (unified identification code, sometimes called Bulstat) — this is your company's permanent ID for tax, banking, and contracts.

Step 9 — Convert to a permanent corporate bank account

The capital account converts to a full operating account. The director needs to confirm identity, either in person or via video KYC depending on the bank. Bulbank, UniCredit Bulbank, and DSK are the most foreign-friendly local banks; Wise Business and Revolut Business are the common neo-bank choices.

Step 10 — VAT registration (if needed)

Registration is mandatory once you cross 100,000 BGN of taxable turnover in any 12-month period, but most foreign-owned companies register voluntarily on day one — VIES verification typically takes 7–14 days and unlocks B2B sales across the EU. See our VAT guide for the practical timeline.

How long does the full process take?

Most registrations complete in 3–7 business days from the moment we have your signed documents. VAT and banking add another 1–2 weeks. Our Complete Setup package covers all of the above for €799.

Common mistakes

• Picking a name that conflicts with an EU trademark. We screen against the EUIPO database, not just the Bulgarian register.
• Skipping the apostille. An unapostilled PoA from a non-Hague country will be rejected — check your country's status first.
• Forgetting VIES. Without VAT-VIES registration, you can't issue reverse-charge B2B invoices into the EU.
• Using a residential address as the registered office. Some banks flag this and require a commercial address.

Next steps

If you want the full step-by-step handled for you, see our pricing or book a free consultation. To estimate your tax savings first, try the Bulgaria tax calculator.