Opening a company in Bulgaria: locals, foreigners, freelancers and digital nomads

At a glance: EOOD with about 1 euro capital, Commercial Register online in 1 to 3 business days for 28 euros, notary only for the manager's specimen signature, 10 percent corporate and personal tax, 5 percent on dividends, VAT from 51,130 euros, euro currency since January 2026, new digital nomad residence permit. Legal forms. Sole trader (ET, 15 percent tax) or freelancer in a "free profession" (BULSTAT registration, 10 percent). EOOD (single member) or OOD: minimum capital BGN 2, now about 1 euro, fully paid into a capital account before filing; capital must be restated in euro in the articles by the end of 2026. AD: about 25,565 euros (BGN 50,000), a quarter paid. Registration. Commercial Register at the Registry Agency, online with a qualified e-signature or on paper: state fee 28.12 euros online (56.24 on paper), name reservation about 20 euros; the manager's specimen signature and consent are notarised (apostilled power of attorney if remote). Decision in one to three business days, two to four weeks when done remotely. Typical total 225 to 300 euros yourself, 400 to 800 with an agent; accounting 100 to 250 euros a month; a registered address from 50 euros a year. The capital account and then the operating account require the manager in person at most banks, the slowest step. Taxes 2026. Corporate tax 10 percent flat. Dividends 5 percent for individuals and non-EU companies, 0 to EU companies (the proposed increase to 10 was dropped). VAT 20 percent (9 for hotels and books); registration from 51,130 euros turnover in a calendar year, within seven days of crossing it. Personal income tax flat 10 percent (15 for sole traders). Minimum wage 620.20 euros from January 2026. Freelancers and the self-employed. Freelancers register in BULSTAT within seven days plus the self-insured declaration with the revenue agency; they need a Bulgarian personal number. Tax 10 percent on income after a statutory 25 percent expense deduction (40 for authors and lawyers' royalties), quarterly advances, annual return by 30 April. Social and health insurance 27.8 percent (31.3 with sickness cover) on a chosen monthly income between the minimum (550.66 euros to July 2026, 620.20 after) and the maximum (2,111.64 euros, 2,300 from August 2026): about 172 to 194 euros a month at the minimum, equalised on actual income at year end. Foreigners. EU/EEA citizens register and manage companies freely and get a residence certificate after three months. Non-EU founders: type D visa and extended residence through a trade representative office of their foreign company registered at the Chamber of Commerce (non-trading, up to three representatives), a company employing ten Bulgarian citizens, a self-employment permit from the Employment Agency (business plan, Bulgarian language, experience; one year renewable to three), the Startup Visa with a ministry endorsement, or investment routes from about 512,000 euros. No resident director requirement, 100 percent foreign ownership, Bulgarian registered address mandatory. Branch of a foreign company. Register the branch (KChT) in the Commercial Register (fee about 110 euros online) with the parent's registration proof, articles, decision, manager appointment with notarised signature and an address; no capital. Taxed as a permanent establishment at 10 percent with separate VAT registration; the parent is fully liable. An EOOD subsidiary is preferred: same 10 percent, limited liability, 0 or 5 percent on dividends. Digital nomads. Yes, new: an extended residence permit for digital nomads under the June 2025 amendment to the Foreigners Act, for non-EU remote employees or self-employed people serving clients outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, with average gross income of at least 50 times the minimum monthly wage in the previous year (about 27,500 to 31,000 euros); type D visa first, then the permit; one year plus one extension; state fee 255.65 euros; implementation only started in late 2025, so expect teething problems and check the current practice. Changed recently. Euro adoption at 1.95583 (1 January 2026) with all fees and thresholds restated; VAT threshold 51,130 euros with the seven-day rule; dividend tax kept at 5 percent; social insurance ceilings raised from August 2026 after the late 2026 budget; digital nomad permit (2025); SAF-T phase-in from 2026; companies restate capital in euro by 31 December 2026. Figures checked October 2026 from the Registry Agency, the National Revenue Agency, the Chamber of Commerce and Bulgarian advisers; the 2026 budget was adopted late and several amounts changed mid-year. Confirm with a licensed adviser in Bulgaria before you file.