How Much Should You Budget to Set Up a Company in Bulgaria in 2026?

Published on October 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Creating a company in Bulgaria may seem inexpensive on paper, especially given a minimum legal capital of about €1. But once you add up registration fees, notary costs, bank charges, translations, consulting fees, registered address, and accounting, the bill quickly adds up. In 2026, with the adoption of the euro and updated fee schedules, the question is no longer “is it cheap?” but rather “how much does it really cost, all-in, the first year and then afterward?”

Company Types and Minimum Capital: A Symbolic Entry Ticket

To understand the costs, you first need to look at what type of structure you are aiming for, because capital requirements and associated fees vary significantly.

In practice, most foreigners opt for an EOOD (equivalent to a single-member LLC) or an OOD (LLC with multiple partners). These two forms share several common features: limited liability to contributions, great management flexibility, no requirement for Bulgarian residency for the manager or partner, and most importantly, a negligible minimum capital.

For heavier structures, the logic changes completely. A joint-stock company (AD or EAD) requires a minimum capital of at least 50,000 BGN, i.e., around €25,000. Other sources mention 25,000 BGN (around €12,500), but the clear trend is toward a very significant capital. These forms entail stricter accounting, governance, and publicity obligations, and are intended for projects that are already substantial in size.

To visualize the difference in entry ticket between legal forms, we can summarize it as follows:

In the following, the cost analysis focuses on the EOOD/OOD, which are by far the most commonly used forms by foreign entrepreneurs.

Government and Registration Fees: The Registration Itself

The first cost line is the registration fee with the Commercial Register (Registry Agency). In 2026, the system still distinguishes between electronic and paper filings, with a 50% reduction for online procedures.

For setting up an EOOD or OOD, the rate is simple:

– Online filing: approximately €28 in registration fees.

– Over-the-counter filing (paper): approximately €56.

We can summarize the main public fees related to initial registration as follows:

The procedure itself is fast. Once the complete file is submitted, the register processes the request in about three working days. Some providers mention an overall timeline of 3 to 7 working days, including the time to prepare and notarize documents.

Notary Fees: Signatures, Powers of Attorney, and Formalities

Bulgaria is a civil law country where several acts related to company incorporation must be notarized, starting with the specimen signature of the manager. This formality may seem minor, but it is consistently included in the budget.

For a standard EOOD or OOD, several types of notary fees can be distinguished:

In a 100% remote setup, you must also add legalization by apostille and notarization of powers of attorney in the founder’s home country, which shifts this cost line toward the “translations and legalizations” category.

For a typical “simple incorporation” budget with the founder present in Bulgaria, field data converges on a notary fee of €25 to €50 for incorporation, plus a few euros for the signature specimen. In detailed minimum budget calculations, a total of €10-15 is often seen for signature certifications alone.

Bank and Capital Account: A Discreet but Essential Cost

Before registration, the share capital must be paid into a blocked capital account in the name of the company being formed. Once the company is registered, this account will either be converted into a current business account or a new account will be opened, depending on the bank.

Bulgarian banks typically charge several types of fees related to account opening and account maintenance:

KYC (Know Your Customer) due diligence fees can significantly raise the bill for companies owned by foreigners. Specific schedules distinguish between purely local entities and those with foreign shareholders or beneficial owners:

These document review fees are systematically non-refundable: if they decide to refuse the account, the fees remain due to the bank.

On top of that, there are monthly account maintenance fees. Major Bulgarian commercial banks generally charge a monthly subscription between €5 and €18 for a business account, with variations depending on the package (number of transfers included, online services, card, etc.). Specific data points indicate:

– DSK Bank: €5–13 per month.

– Fibank: €4–10 per month.

– Postbank and another major bank: €5–15 per month.

Finally, keep in mind that simply closing a current account can also incur a fee: some schedules mention €100 to close a business account. Conversely, when a blocked capital account is converted into a current account at the same bank, it is common not to charge for closing the capital account or for the new opening, as these operations are integrated into the startup package.

Translations, Legalizations, Apostilles: The Hidden Cost of Foreign Documents

For a company whose founder(s) are not Bulgarian, language and legal requirements often necessitate sworn translations and legalizations. This expense category is highly variable depending on the volume of documents, the country of origin, and the level of requirement from the bank or advisor.

Based on the compiled data, the orders of magnitude are as follows:

In a “turnkey” package that includes translation, legalization, and notary, providers often quote around €120 for notary + apostille and €150 for certified translations, which already gives €270 for this single item.

Registered Address and Virtual Office: An Annual Cost Not to Overlook

Bulgarian law requires every company to have a registered address within the country. This can be premises actually occupied by the company or simply a domiciliation address with mail forwarding services. In practice, many structures owned by non-residents choose a legal address provided by a service provider.

The price ranges observed for a registered address or a simple virtual office are fairly tight:

Some incorporation packages already include a year of registered address, but annual renewal turns this item into a recurring cost, which can be smoothed to about €10-20 per month in most standard cases.

Legal Fees and Incorporation Services: From DIY to Full Support

In theory, nothing prevents a founder from incorporating their company in Bulgaria themselves. In practice, the language barrier, the formal specifics of documents, and coordination with the bank and notary lead many foreigners to use a lawyer or a specialized firm.

In 2026, the market for company creation in Bulgaria offers several levels of support, with very different rates.

On one end of the spectrum, there are ultra-economical solutions like Firmify, an online tool that automates the preparation of articles of association and forms for the Commercial Register. The prices recorded for 2026 are as follows:

– EOOD preparation service: €39.

– OOD preparation service: €59 (more expensive because it requires managing partner agreements).

Combining this service with public fees and small bank and notary costs, Firmify offers a very low minimum budget:

– For an EOOD:

– €39 service fee,

– €28 online registration fee,

– approximately €3 notary for the specimen signature,

– approximately €10 for the bank.

– Total range: about €75 to €90.

– For an OOD:

– €59 service fee,

– same base of public and bank fees.

– Total range: about €95 to €120.

These minimums do not cover translations and legalizations of foreign documents, nor any structuring advice. They are mainly aimed at founders who are already comfortable with the system and present locally.

– Legal drafting and filing: €450.

– Registered address for one year: €120.

– State and registration fees: €60.

– Certified translations: €150.

– Notary and apostille for remote incorporation: €120.

– Sending originals: €40.

The total reaches a range of €820 to €950 for a “turnkey” creation of an EOOD or OOD in a simple case. Other providers quote even higher flat fees: for example, a “Bulgarian.LLC” package starting at €1,500 for an EOOD and €2,400 for an OOD, with an estimated total budget starting at €1,560-1,650 and €2,480-2,580 respectively when including capital, notary, and ancillary costs.

Overall, the following ranges are commonly found for consulting and support fees:

By comparison, studies show that equivalent incorporation services in Germany, France, or the Netherlands often start between €2,000 and €4,000 for the first year alone, with significantly higher notary and translation fees.

Incorporation Budget Scenarios: From DIY Minimum to All-Inclusive Package

By aggregating the different cost lines, we get highly contrasting scenarios depending on the chosen approach.

In “DIY” mode with the founder present in Bulgaria, handling the paperwork themselves and keeping external fees to an absolute minimum, the figures from the report converge on a total cost of €224 to €307. This total typically includes:

– €28 to €56 in registration fees (online or paper),

– €25 to €50 in notary fees,

– €100 to €150 for bank account opening,

– €1 minimum capital.

For a 100% electronic, well-optimized filing, some calculations go even lower, in a range of €45 to €65 by adding €28 in registration fees, €10-15 for notarial signatures, and €5-10 for the capital account, including the €1 capital. Achieving such a level, however, requires being on-site, speaking Bulgarian, or having free assistance, and not needing certified translations.

– €28 to €56 in public fees,

– €125 to €200 in notary and bank fees,

– €300 to €500 in agent fees.

In “remote incorporation” mode with the founder remaining in their home country, the bill goes up a notch. By adding up fees, apostilles, translations, and shipping costs, realistic estimates are around €800 to €1,500 for the creation phase alone. This is also confirmed by the ranges given for “complete remote setup” between €650 and €1,600, depending on whether VAT registration and a local address are included.

The major aggregates can therefore be presented as follows for an EOOD/OOD:

The report also notes that if travel and accommodation costs are included when a founder must travel to Bulgaria specifically for incorporation, the bill can skyrocket. An estimate for an “all on-site” approach with multiple trips comes to €4,570 to €7,270 by adding 3 trips (€1,000-2,000), a 4-week stay (€1,500-3,000), €550 in notary fees, €400 for an interpreter, €400-600 in registration fees, and €720 for a company address.

Compared to these heavy scenarios, the ability to set up a Bulgarian company entirely remotely with a local provider, without traveling, dramatically reduces the bill: a 100% remote approach is estimated at around €3,000 in the most complex cases, with a much lower minimum for standard projects.

Recurring Costs in the First Year: Accounting, Tax, Bank, Address

The incorporation cost is only the first step. To assess the relevance of setting up in Bulgaria, you need to look at mandatory annual operating expenses: accounting, tax filings, social security contributions, address, and bank fees.

Accounting and tax compliance constitute the largest item. The report emphasizes that most small companies pay between €1,300 and €2,400 per year for a set of services including monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns where applicable, payroll, and annual tax filings.

To refine, Bulgarian providers typically segment fees according to the level of activity:

For a company subject to VAT, monthly compliance adds a surcharge:

– VAT returns:

– €30-80 per monthly return,

– or a supplement of €25-50 per month compared to a non-VAT-registered company.

If applicable, if the company exceeds certain thresholds (e.g., turnover of 4 million BGN or assets over 2 million BGN, or an average workforce of 50 employees), a statutory audit becomes mandatory, with fees ranging from €1,200 to €3,000 per year, or more for larger structures.

On the social security side, any managing partner must be registered and contribute on a basis at least equal to the minimum insurable income. For 2026, this minimum is stated at €550.66 monthly contribution base, generating:

– 19.8% for old-age social security (approx. €109),

– 8% for health insurance (approx. €44),

– 5% for supplementary pension (approx. €28, for those born after 1959).

Recurring bank fees also add up, with relatively modest differences: major institutions charge between €3 and €15 in monthly account maintenance, and online banking access is often free or charged €0-5 per month. Per-transfer costs are also low (€0-0.50 internal, €0.50-2.50 interbank), but can accumulate for a highly transactional company.

The registered address, if provided by a service provider, will typically cost €120 to €240 per year, equivalent to about ten euros per month. This is a simple but systematic item.

By aggregating these costs for a small active company, the typical recurring expenses are as follows:

The report also notes that for a typical EOOD generating €100,000 in annual profits, the minimum annual costs for the address, accounting, and statutory obligations are around €1,500, which aligns with the estimates of €1,300-2,400 for most small businesses.

Taxation and VAT: Low Rate, Precise Thresholds, Impact on Costs

One of the major arguments in favor of setting up in Bulgaria remains taxation. The company is subject to a corporate income tax of 10% at a flat rate, making it one of the lowest tax rates in the European Union, just behind Hungary (9%). When profits are distributed as dividends to foreign owners, an additional withholding tax of 5% applies, subject to potential reductions under tax treaties. In a simple model of full profit distribution, the combined effective rate works out to about 14.5%, significantly lower than in many Western European countries where corporate tax is closer to 19-25%.

The standard VAT rate is 20%, in effect since 2010. A reduced rate of 9% applies to certain accommodation services and publications, and a zero rate covers intra-Community supplies, exports, and certain international transport operations.

Finally, the 2026 reforms introduce an optional VAT exemption scheme for small businesses at the EU level, valid if the total turnover in the EU does not exceed €100,000 and national thresholds are respected in each country. The use of this scheme is nevertheless regulated and comes with a specific VAT number ending in “EX”.

Total Cost of the First Year: A Realistic Order of Magnitude

To concretely answer the question “How much does it cost to set up a company in Bulgaria in 2026?“, at least two components must be distinguished: setup costs (one-off) and mandatory operating costs for the first year.

Based on the consolidated data in the report, a realistic order of magnitude for a “classic” EOOD owned by a foreigner, without traveling on-site, can be described as follows:

Then, for the first full year of activity, a small structure will typically need to absorb:

– Basic accounting and compliance: €600–1,800 per year depending on the volume of transactions.

– VAT surcharge if the company is registered: approximately €300–900 per year.

– Registered address: €120–240 per year.

– Bank account maintenance: €36–180 per year.

– Manager’s social contributions (at legal minimum): around €2,160–2,760 per year.

Compared to other European countries studied, Bulgaria stands out as one of the cheapest environments in terms of gross formation and maintenance costs, with typical ranges of €1,500 to €3,000 for setup and approximately €1,500 minimum annual cost for structure and compliance. Equivalent setups in Germany, France, the Netherlands, or Cyprus frequently exceed these levels, in both creation fees and accounting or tax expenses.

Conclusion: An Inexpensive Company to Create… If You Count Everything

Bulgaria maintains a very competitive position in 2026 for anyone looking to set up a low-cost company within the European Union, with a symbolic minimum capital, a 10% corporate income tax, a limited 5% dividend withholding tax, and a set of incorporation services that are generally significantly cheaper than in major Western European countries.

To this must be added unavoidable recurring costs: monthly accounting, possible VAT obligations, registered address, bank account maintenance, and above all minimum social contributions for the manager, meaning an active EOOD will rarely cost less than €1,500 to €2,400 per year in compliance, regardless of the level of turnover.

In summary, setting up a company in Bulgaria in 2026 remains objectively cheap and fiscally attractive compared to most other EU member states. The key is to build a realistic budget that does not stop at the mere €28 registration fee or the €1 capital, but integrates from the start all the setup and operating costs necessary to run this structure sustainably within the European market.

Sources

• PwC Tax Summaries — Bulgaria, corporate income tax (reviewed 02/08/2026)
• PwC Tax Summaries — Bulgaria, other taxes (VAT, reviewed 02/08/2026)

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Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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