What’s the minimum share capital for a Bulgarian company? To register a company in Bulgaria in 2025, the minimum share capital is about 1 EUR for an EOOD/OOD (Ltd.) and 25,000 EUR for an AD/EAD (JSC); branches and trade representative offices do not require share capital. The capital is deposited before filing, confirmed by a bank certificate, and becomes available for business use after registration.
Minimum Capital Requirements in Bulgaria: EOOD/OOD vs AD/EAD
Most founders start with an EOOD (single-owner Ltd.) or OOD (multi-owner Ltd.) because the minimum capital is tiny—practically 1 EUR. If you plan to raise funds, add independent directors, or list shares later, the joint-stock forms EAD/AD are a better match, but they require 25,000 EUR.
| Company Type | Owners | Minimum Capital (EUR) | Typical Use Case | Can Transform Later? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOOD (single-member Ltd.) | 1 | ~1 | Freelancers, consultants, micro-SaaS | Yes → OOD or even to JSC later |
| OOD (multi-member Ltd.) | 2+ | ~1 (total) | Two or more co-founders, agencies | Yes → AD/EAD if needed |
| EAD (single-member JSC) | 1 | 25,000 | Scale-ups, investor-ready structure | Yes (governance can evolve) |
| AD (JSC) | 2+ | 25,000 | Fundraising, boards, larger teams | Board structures adaptable |
| Branch of foreign company | Parent company | 0 | Operate in Bulgaria via existing entity | Parent can later form local entity |
| Trade Representative Office | Parent company | 0 | Non-trading presence, research | Can evolve to local entity |
How Capital Is Paid: Bank Certificate, Filing, and Conversion
The capital is deposited to a temporary account and confirmed by a bank letter. Once the Commercial Register approves the company, the account converts to an operating account and you can spend those funds for business purposes. Banking oversight and general rules sit with the Bulgarian National Bank, and the company registration happens at the Bulgarian Commercial Register & Registry Agency.
| Step | What You/We Do | Document Output | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open temporary capital account | Provide IDs, draft Articles, and company name | Bank letter/account details | Enables the capital deposit |
| Deposit the capital | Pay in the nominal amount (e.g., 1 EUR or 25,000 EUR) | Capital deposit certificate | Required for the registry filing |
| File at Commercial Register | Submit Articles, address evidence, appointments, bank certificate | Entry in the Register | Creates your legal entity |
| Convert the account | Bank updates the account post-registration | Operating account access | Use funds for company expenses |
If you want the full procedural view (forms, signatures, sequencing), see the step-by-step Bulgaria company incorporation process. If you’re comparing options for founders specifically, this primer on how a foreigner can open a Bulgarian company will help you weigh timelines and documents.
Does a Higher Nominal Capital Help With Banking or Clients?
For Ltd. companies, you can start with a symbolic 1 EUR. Some founders choose a higher nominal capital (for example 1,000 EUR) to look more substantial to corporate clients or recruiters. It’s optional—but consider the trade-offs.
| Approach | Pros | Cons | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital (e.g., 1 EUR) | Cheapest; fastest; minimizes locked cash before filing | May look “thin” to some counterparties | Consulting, solo SaaS, early stage |
| Moderate capital (e.g., 1,000 EUR) | More credible for RFPs, enterprise clients | Ties up slightly more cash pre-registration | Agencies selling to corporates |
| High capital (e.g., 10,000 EUR+) | Signals financial commitment and runway | Unnecessary for most Ltd. use cases | Where large buyers expect solidity signals |
EOOD/OOD vs AD/EAD: Capital, Governance, and Evolution
Limited liability companies (EOOD/OOD) are the default for speed and cost. Joint-stock companies (AD/EAD) are chosen for governance and fundraising. You can evolve as your business grows.
| Feature | EOOD / OOD (Ltd.) | EAD / AD (JSC) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | ~1 EUR | 25,000 EUR |
| Governance | Simple director-managed | Boards, general meetings, auditors |
| Fundraising | Possible but less flexible | Designed for shares & investors |
| Setup speed | Fast | Fast but document-heavy |
| Who picks it | Solo founders, small teams | Scale-ups, venture-ready firms |
Not sure which Ltd. flavor fits your plan? Read our short comparison of EOOD vs OOD in Bulgaria to get the equity and control basics right from day one.
Registered Address, Documents, and Remote Setup
Capital is just one piece. You’ll also need a Bulgarian registered address to incorporate, and a clean pack of documents (IDs, Articles, appointments). Most founders complete everything without traveling by using a notarised Power of Attorney and a provider that handles filings and banking. For the document list, check the documents required to register a company in Bulgaria. Official e-government pathways are outlined here: Bulgarian e-Government portal.
| Requirement | Why It’s Needed | Who Provides It | When It’s Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered address in Bulgaria | Official mail, public record | Lease, owner consent, or provider | Registry filing, bank KYC |
| Articles / Founding Act | Defines capital & governance | Founders (we draft) | Registry filing |
| Director appointment & specimen | Authorizes management | Owners & director | Bank KYC, filings |
| Power of Attorney (if remote) | Agent handles filings & bank | Founders | Before bank & registry steps |
Capital & Compliance After Registration
Once the company is live, you can spend the capital on legitimate business costs. You’ll also consider VAT registration, payroll (if hiring), and monthly reporting. Bulgarian tax administration guidance is provided by the National Revenue Agency. For EU-wide rules on VAT and cross-border trade, consult the European Commission resources. If you want an end-to-end team after incorporation, explore our accounting services in Bulgaria for compliant bookkeeping, payroll, and VAT.
Typical Budget & Timelines (Including Capital)
Your share capital amount can be minimal for Ltd. companies, so the main costs are professional services, translations, and registry fees. For a broader cost view, here’s how much it costs to set up a company in Bulgaria, and for a step-by-step overview, see how to register your company in Bulgaria in 6 steps.
| Item | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal drafting & filing | 450 | Articles, resolutions, registry submission |
| Registered address (annual) | 120 | Virtual/agent address; city/provider dependent |
| Translations & apostilles (if remote) | 150 | Depends on number of documents |
| Official registry fees | 60 | State fees & incidentals |
| Courier of originals (if remote) | 40 | Tracked shipping |
| Share capital (EOOD/OOD) | 1 | Usable after registration |
| Phase | What Happens | Who Drives It | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning | Choose entity; draft Articles; confirm address | You + legal team | 1–2 days |
| Bank capital step | Open temporary account; deposit capital; get certificate | Agent + bank | Same day–1 day |
| Registry filing | Submit full pack (Articles, bank certificate, address proofs) | Authorized filer | 1–3 days |
| Post-registration | Convert account; start invoicing; plan VAT/payroll | Bank + accountant | 1–5 days |
Ownership Rules, Visas & Self-Employment (The Capital Angle)
Foreigners can own 100% of a Bulgarian company—no local partner needed—and can serve as directors. Owning a company doesn’t automatically grant residency, but it can support certain work and stay paths when combined with employment and payroll. If you want to see the strategic, country-level picture (tax, labor, and logistics), here are the key reasons Bulgaria is a strong base for company formation. For cross-border legal lookup of EU registers, you can also check the European e-Justice Portal.
Common Capital Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Articles and bank letter don’t match | Registry queries or rejection | Align the nominal capital in both documents |
| Using a foreign address | Not acceptable for Bulgarian incorporation | Use a proper Bulgarian registered address |
| Forgetting remote formalities | POA without notarisation/apostille may be invalid | Follow remote setup rules precisely |
| Setting capital too high—too early | Needlessly ties up cash pre-registration | Start lean; increase capital later if needed |
| DIY filings without context | Extra rounds of questions from authorities | Use a specialist to package and submit |
Where to Verify Rules and Follow Next Steps
You can view public company entries and filing services at the Bulgarian Commercial Register & Registry Agency. Tax registrations and VAT information are managed by the National Revenue Agency, while EU-level frameworks for the single market, VAT, and corporate rules are accessible via the European Commission. If you want help from a human who does this every day, our team delivers fast, secure and tax-optimized company registration in Bulgaria and can set up your banking, compliance, and monthly reporting from day one.
Talk to a Specialist—Free 30-Minute Consultation
Not sure whether to stick with 1 EUR capital or go higher? Wondering if a JSC is worth it now or later? Book your free 30-minute consultation. We’ll map your goals, pick the right structure, set the capital correctly, and give you a realistic budget and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum share capital for an EOOD or OOD really about 1 EUR?
Yes, the minimum share capital for an EOOD or OOD is really about 1 EUR, and this lets you incorporate quickly without tying up cash.
Is the minimum share capital for an AD or EAD exactly 25,000 EUR?
Yes, the minimum share capital for an AD or EAD is exactly 25,000 EUR, and founders choose it when they need boards, share classes, or fundraising options.
Do I need to keep the share capital locked after registration?
No, you do not need to keep the share capital locked after registration, because the bank converts the capital account and you can use the funds for business expenses.
Can I open the company and deposit capital entirely remotely?
Yes, you can open the company and deposit capital entirely remotely, provided you use a notarised Power of Attorney, a Bulgarian registered address, and a bank that supports the capital account process.
Can I start with minimal capital now and increase it later?
Yes, you can start with minimal capital now and increase it later, by approving a capital change and filing the relevant resolutions and updates.
