To register a company in Bulgaria in 2026, you need identification for founders and directors, constitutional documents (Articles or Founding Act), proofs for a Bulgarian registered address, a bank’s capital deposit certificate, management appointments, and—if you form the company remotely—proper notarisation and apostilles for powers of attorney.
Documents for Company Registration in Bulgaria: The Complete List
Think of the paperwork in four blocks: (1) who you are, (2) how the company is structured, (3) where the company can be reached, and (4) proof that the share capital is real. Below is the founder-friendly overview; for the legal mechanics and filing steps, see our step-by-step company incorporation process in Bulgaria.
| Document | Purpose | Who Signs / Provides | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid ID / Passport | Identifies founders and directors | All individuals | Clear scan; names must match all documents |
| Articles of Association / Founding Act | Sets share capital, ownership, governance | Founder(s) | We draft to fit your structure and growth plan |
| Decision / Minutes of Incorporation | Approves formation and appointments | Founder(s) | Single-owner EOOD has a founding decision |
| Director Appointment & Specimen Signature | Authorises management; used by banks | Owner(s) & Director | Specimen signature often notarised |
| Registered Address Proof | Shows a valid address in Bulgaria | Owner/landlord or service provider | Lease, owner’s consent, or service contract |
| Bank Capital Deposit Certificate | Confirms capital paid into a temporary account | Bank | Converts to operating account after registration |
| Power of Attorney (if remote) | Lets an agent act on your behalf | Founder(s) | Notarisation + apostille when required |
| Translations / Legalisations | Makes foreign documents acceptable | Certified translator / authorities | We handle certified translations as needed |
Identity & Ownership: What You Need to Prove
Founders and directors must prove identity and, where applicable, control of corporate shareholders. If you’re new to the topic, start with this primer on how a foreigner can open a Bulgarian company.
| Scenario | Documents | Who Provides | Practical Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual founder (EU or non-EU) | Passport/ID, address, contact details | Founder | Use same spelling across all forms |
| Corporate shareholder | Certificate of good standing, directors list, UBO declaration | Parent company | May need apostille + certified translations |
| Director (if different from owner) | Appointment resolution, specimen signature | Owner(s), Director | Plan for bank KYC in parallel |
Constitutional Documents: Articles, Decisions, and Specimen Signatures
The Articles specify share capital, management structure, and profit distribution. For single-owner EOODs, a Founding Act records the same choices. A separate resolution appoints the director and approves the company’s formation. The director’s specimen signature is used for bank onboarding and formal filings.
| Company Form | Core Document | Who Signs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EOOD (single-member Ltd) | Founding Act + Director Appointment | Sole owner | Fastest path for solo founders |
| OOD (multi-member Ltd) | Articles of Association + Minutes | All owners | Include share split and voting rules |
| EAD (single-member JSC) | Founding Act + Board/Director Resolution | Sole shareholder | Higher governance; investor-friendly |
| AD (JSC) | Articles + Constitutive Meeting Minutes | Shareholders | One-tier or two-tier board models |
Address Evidence: What Counts as a Bulgarian Registered Address
Your company must list a local address that can receive official mail. Here is a quick overview; dive deeper in our guide to the registered company address in Bulgaria.
| Proof | When Used | Who Issues It | Checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease agreement | Own office or coworking | Landlord | Company named; term & address visible |
| Owner’s consent | Using an owned address | Property owner | Written consent; ID and title details |
| Virtual-office contract | Remote/early stage setup | Service provider | Mail handling and forwarding clauses |
Bank Capital Deposit: What to Show and When
You deposit the share capital into a temporary bank account before filing. The bank issues a certificate confirming the amount paid. After registration, the account converts to an operating account, and you can spend the funds on business costs. If you’re unsure how much to deposit, compare structures in our explainer on the minimum share capital in Bulgaria. For banking oversight and KYC context, see the Bulgarian National Bank.
| Document | Purpose | Issued By | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary capital account letter | Opens the capital account | Bank | Before filing |
| Capital deposit certificate | Proves capital paid | Bank | Before filing |
| Post-registration conversion | Enables operating account | Bank | After entry in Register |
Remote Setup: Notarisation, Apostilles & Digital Touchpoints
Many founders incorporate without travel. You notarise a Power of Attorney and, when your country is outside Bulgaria’s direct recognition frameworks, add an apostille. Originals are couriered; we file electronically where possible. Explore official e-procedures via the e-Government portal. After registration, tax steps are coordinated with the National Revenue Agency and EU rules published by the European Commission.
| Document | Used For | Authentication | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power of Attorney | Agent handles bank & filings | Notarisation + apostille, where required | Names must match passports |
| Specimen signature | Bank KYC, filings | Notarisation | Some banks accept in-branch specimen |
| Certified translations | Foreign corporate docs | Sworn translator | Attach originals when filing |
Company Types (EOOD, OOD, EAD, AD): How the Paperwork Differs
All forms share the same backbone of documents, but joint-stock companies add board and share-issuance formalities. You can start lean (EOOD/OOD) and convert later as you scale.
| Form | Core Papers | Extra Elements | When Founders Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| EOOD | Founding Act, Appointment, Address proofs, Bank certificate | — | Solo owners, fast setup |
| OOD | Articles, Minutes, Address proofs, Bank certificate | Share split, partner consents | Co-founders, flexible LLC |
| EAD | Founding Act, Board/Director resolution, Address proofs, Bank certificate | Board rules, share structure | Scale-ups, investor-ready |
| AD | Articles, Constitutive minutes, Address proofs, Bank certificate | One-tier/two-tier governance, share register | Complex cap tables, fundraising |
Branches & Representative Offices: Document Variations
Instead of forming a new legal entity, your foreign company can register a Branch or a Trade Representative Office (TRO). A Branch can trade and invoice; a TRO cannot trade but supports presence and staffing context. Both require local address details and parent-company evidence.
| Structure | Key Documents | Can Trade? | When It Makes Sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branch | Parent’s certificate of good standing, decision to open branch, local representative appointment, address proofs | Yes | Market entry with existing company |
| Trade Representative Office | Parent’s registration docs, representation decision, address proofs | No | Market research, early presence |
Timeline & Process: When Each Paper Appears
With clean files, Bulgarian registrations are quick. You can cross-check statuses and guidance via the Registry Agency portal. If you prefer a plain-English walkthrough, here’s how to register your company in Bulgaria in 6 steps.
| Phase | What You Prepare | What We File | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kick-off | Passports, address option, company name | Draft Articles / Founding Act | 1–2 days |
| Bank capital step | Specimen signature, source-of-funds narrative | — | Same day–1 day |
| Filing | Notarised POA (if remote) | Full pack to Commercial Register | 1–3 days |
| Post-registration | VAT/payroll readiness | Employer and VAT registrations (where applicable) | 1–5 days |
Costs to Budget for Documentation
Numbers vary by country of origin, language pairs, and whether you travel, but these ranges are realistic for 2026. For broader budgeting (setup and monthly compliance), review the real setup costs in Bulgaria.
| Item | Indicative Cost | When It Applies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal drafting & filing | 450 | All formations | Articles, resolutions, coordination |
| Certified translations | 150 | Foreign corporate docs | Depends on page count |
| Notarisation & apostilles | 120 | Remote setups | Varies by country |
| Registered address service (annual) | 120 | Virtual/agent address | City and provider dependent |
| Official state fees | 60 | Registry filing | Commercial Register |
| Courier of originals | 40 | Remote setups | Tracked shipping |
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Why It’s a Problem | Simple Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name or spelling mismatches | Registry queries and bank delays | Copy names exactly as in passports |
| Weak address evidence | Questioned contactability | Use a proper lease or service contract |
| Missing apostille on POA | Remote filing not acceptable | Apostille all required documents |
| Inconsistent share capital | Bank certificate & Articles don’t match | Align Articles with the bank amount |
After Registration: Documents You’ll Use Next
Once your company is live, your focus shifts to day-to-day compliance: VAT, payroll, invoicing, and banking upgrades. If you want a single partner for setup and monthly filings, learn about our accounting services in Bulgaria. For the strategic “why Bulgaria,” here’s a concise list of the reasons why Bulgaria is a top choice for company formation, and for the practical sequence, walk through how to register your company in 6 steps.
Who Can Own the Company & Where You’re Based
Bulgaria welcomes foreign ownership; you do not need a local partner. You do need a local address, and you can set everything up remotely with a notarised Power of Attorney. If you want a deeper look at non-resident specifics, check our overview on opening a Bulgarian company as a foreigner.
Your Next Step
Want an expert to prepare every document and file on your behalf? Explore our fast, secure and tax-optimized company registration in Bulgaria, and when you’re ready, book a free 30-minute consultation. We’ll confirm your exact document list, line up the bank, and deliver a clean, compliant registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are needed to register a company in Bulgaria?
To register a company in Bulgaria, you need IDs for founders and directors, Articles or a Founding Act, incorporation resolutions, a Bulgarian registered address proof, a bank capital deposit certificate, and—if forming remotely—a notarised and apostilled Power of Attorney.
What share capital documents are required?
To prove share capital, you obtain the bank’s capital deposit certificate for the amount stated in your Articles, then the account converts to an operating account after registration.
Do document requirements differ for EOOD, OOD, AD, and EAD?
To reflect company type, EOOD and OOD use simpler Articles or a Founding Act and appointments, while AD and EAD add board and share-issuance formalities, but all require identity proofs, address evidence, and a bank capital certificate.
Do I need a Bulgarian address for incorporation?
Yes, to incorporate in Bulgaria, you must list a Bulgarian registered address, which can be your leased office, a compliant virtual office, or an agent’s address that reliably receives official mail.
Can I incorporate remotely without travelling?
Yes, you can incorporate remotely. To do so you sign a notarised Power of Attorney, add apostilles when required, courier originals, and let an authorised agent handle banking, filings, and collection of registration.
