What mistakes do foreigners make when registering a company in Bulgaria? To avoid the most common mistakes foreigners make, you should choose the right legal form (EOOD, OOD, EAD, or AD), clear your company name before drafting documents, secure a compliant registered address, deposit the correct share capital, prepare a consistent document pack (with notarisation/apostille if remote), plan realistic timelines and costs, and complete tax/VAT onboarding after the Commercial Register decision.
Common Company Registration Mistakes in Bulgaria (and What to Do Instead)
You don’t need to “learn the hard way.” As practitioners helping non-residents open Bulgarian companies, we see the same pitfalls repeat—especially when founders reuse documents from another country, or try to rush banking and filing into one day. If you want the full process laid out end-to-end, keep the complete Bulgaria company incorporation guide handy while you read.
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | Better Approach (What Works) |
|---|---|---|
| Picking a name that’s too similar | Registry query or rejection | Pre-screen 2–3 variants and ensure the right EOOD/OOD/AD/EAD suffix |
| Mismatched data across documents | Bank/registry inconsistencies cause delays | Copy passport spellings exactly; align capital and address everywhere |
| Weak registered address proof | Filing doubts contactability | Use a valid address contract/consent with complete details |
| Underestimating remote notarisation/apostille time | Courier and legalisation add days | Book notary early; apostille and sworn translation together |
| No plan for VAT and monthly accounting | Late registrations and penalties risk | Map VAT thresholds and engage bookkeeping from day one |
Naming Errors and Structure Misfits
Name and structure are the foundations. If they wobble, everything else shakes. Most first-time founders try to register a name that already “sounds taken” or forget the legal suffix. Others choose a structure (like a JSC) that’s overkill for a two-person agency.
| Error | Example | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name too close to an existing company | “BluePeak EOOD” vs “BluePeak Ltd.” already in register | Run an availability check and keep two backups |
| Wrong suffix vs actual form | Draft says “OOD” but Articles say “EOOD” | Lock the legal form first, then draft the Articles |
| Choosing a JSC without need | AD/EAD for a one-person consultancy | Use EOOD/OOD for speed and cost; transform later if needed |
If you’re validating the calendar impact of these choices, compare your plan against the realistic registration timelines most foreign founders follow in 2026.
Address & Banking Missteps
A compliant Bulgarian registered address is mandatory. Banks and the tax authority use it for notices. Problems arise when founders submit partial address data or temporary co-working letters that don’t meet KYC standards.
| Pitfall | Consequence | Preventive Move |
|---|---|---|
| Address consent without full details | Registry requests clarification | Use a proper contract/consent with full address and dates |
| Capital deposit mismatch | Bank certificate doesn’t match Articles | Match the amount precisely (~1 EUR for EOOD/OOD; 25,000 EUR for AD/EAD) |
| Rushing account conversion | Delays in payments and invoicing | Pre-book bank conversion for the day you get the registry decision |
Official filings and public lookups are made at the Bulgarian Commercial Register & Registry Agency, while the e-route and forms are outlined on the Bulgarian e-Government portal.
Document & Notarisation Pitfalls (Especially for Remote Setup)
The fastest way to stall a remote file is to miss an apostille or ship documents that don’t match your passport spelling. Your documents should read like they were written by one meticulous person—even if several people prepared them.
| Document | Typical Issue | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Articles/Founding Act | Scope or capital inconsistent with other docs | Finalize details before translation; mirror numbers everywhere |
| Director appointment/specimen | Signatures not notarised where required | Confirm notarisation rules early; schedule notary + apostille together |
| Power of Attorney (PoA) | No apostille or sworn translation | Apostille + sworn translation; ship originals by tracked courier |
| Address proof | Missing landlord/provider consent | Attach signed consent or full address contract |
Timeline Assumptions That Backfire
Good news: once your pack is clean, the Commercial Register decision usually arrives in 1–3 business days. Bad news: founders often forget to count notarisation, apostille, and courier time. Those are “real days” too.
| Phase | Your Part | Typical Time | What Speeds It Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naming & structure | Choose form; shortlist names | Same day–1 day | Arrive with 2–3 name backups |
| Registered address | Sign address contract/consent | Same day | Use a provider who knows KYC wording |
| Capital deposit | Fund capital | Same day | Book the bank slot in advance |
| Filing & decision | Sign or send PoA | 1–3 business days (decision) | Submit a complete, consistent pack |
| PoA, apostille, courier (remote) | Legalise and ship originals | +2–7 days typical | Notarise & apostille same day; express courier |
Cost Surprises (and How to Avoid Them)
Many founders budget for “filing” but forget translations, apostille, courier, and ongoing accounting. Your actual spend depends on the structure and whether you set up remotely. To see how all costs add up, review the full cost to register a company—and then set a simple monthly compliance budget.
| Item | Typical Cost | When It’s Due | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal drafting & e-filing | ~450 | Day 1 | Clean documents = faster approval |
| Registered address (annual) | ~120 | Day 1 | Bank KYC and registry compliance |
| State/registry fees | ~60 | On filing | Official processing |
| Translations & apostille (remote) | ~270 | Before filing | Acceptable foreign documents |
| Courier of originals | ~40 | Before filing | Avoids resubmissions |
| Accounting (monthly) | from ~120 | After go-live | VAT/returns on time |
EU VAT rules for cross-border sellers are set by the European Commission, and Bulgaria’s tax authority for registrations and returns is the National Revenue Agency.
If you prefer one partner to handle bookkeeping, VAT filings, and payroll from month one, explore our accounting services in Bulgaria for a compliant, fixed-fee setup.
Ownership, Directors, and Compliance Oversights
Good corporate hygiene starts at day zero. You don’t need a Bulgarian partner; a foreign owner can hold 100% of shares. Directors can be non-resident too. The issues usually appear later—no payroll when you’re actually working in Bulgaria, or late VAT registration once sales surge.
| Gap | Risk | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No employment contract while working locally | Social security non-compliance | Put the director/founder on payroll when appropriate |
| Late VAT registration after threshold/activity trigger | Penalties and back-VAT | Monitor threshold; apply proactively |
| Missing monthly bookkeeping | Late returns; audit risk | Engage an accountant from month one |
Remote Setup Mistakes (Non-Residents)
The remote route is efficient, but it’s unforgiving if you skip a step. Don’t rely on uncertified scans where originals are required, and don’t assume any notary can issue an apostille—check the convention rules and local process first.
| Mistake | Reality | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using scans instead of originals | Registry may require originals | Ship originals by tracked courier |
| No apostille on PoA | Remote pack not acceptable | Apostille + sworn translation before shipping |
| Bank slot booked after filing | Account conversion lags | Pre-book bank appointment for decision day |
Practical Checklist to Stay Out of Trouble
Use this as your “pre-flight” before filing. If you prefer a narrative, this short read shows how to register your company in Bulgaria in six steps.
| Item | Done? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal form locked (EOOD/OOD/AD/EAD) | □ | Governance and capital aligned |
| Company name with two backups | □ | Suffix matches legal form |
| Registered address contract/consent | □ | Full address; dates consistent |
| Capital deposit certificate | □ | Amount matches Articles |
| Director appointment and specimen | □ | Notarise if required |
| PoA notarised/apostilled (remote) | □ | Sworn translation if needed |
Need a one-page rationale for picking Bulgaria in the first place? Here are the reasons Bulgaria is a smart base for company formation. For one partner from name check to VAT, we provide fast, secure and tax-optimized company registration in Bulgaria. And if you want a nuts-and-bolts view of ongoing costs, this page explains how much it costs to set up your company and maintain it after launch.
Talk to a Specialist—Free 30-Minute Call
Tell us your model (consulting, e-commerce, SaaS) and where you’ll operate. We’ll map a tight plan—entity type, calendar, bank, VAT, payroll, and monthly compliance—for 2026. Book your free 30-minute consultation and get a safe, predictable path from draft to first invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to travel to Bulgaria to avoid registration mistakes?
No, you do not need to travel to Bulgaria to avoid registration mistakes, because a notarised and, where required, apostilled Power of Attorney lets an agent open the capital account, file the pack, and handle bank conversion correctly.
Can I use any address for my registered office without issues?
No, you cannot use just any address for your registered office without issues, because the Commercial Register expects a proper contract or consent that banks also accept for KYC purposes.
Is picking a joint-stock company a good idea for a solo founder?
No, picking a joint-stock company is usually not a good idea for a solo founder, because EAD/AD require 25,000 EUR capital and more governance while EOOD gives you speed and low cost.
Do I need VAT from day one to start invoicing?
No, you do not need VAT from day one to start invoicing, because you can invoice after registration and add VAT once your activity or thresholds require it.
Is a translation without apostille enough for remote signing?
No, a translation without apostille is not enough for remote signing, because the Power of Attorney and certain foreign documents must be apostilled and often accompanied by sworn translations to be accepted.
