Bulgaria offers transparent information on company formation and annual maintenance costs. The following details break down average creation and recurring expenses for a standard limited liability company (Дружество с ограничена отговорност, OOD), referencing official rates and typical service fees as of 2025.
Company Formation Costs in Bulgaria (2025)
Establishing an OOD in Bulgaria involves a blend of mandatory government charges and standard service provider fees. These costs apply in most typical scenarios for both local and foreign founders.
| Cost Item | Amount (BGN) | Amount (USD*) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital requirement | 2лв | $1.10 |
| State registration fee (Commercial Register) | 110лв | $60.60 |
| Notary fees (for specimen signature, documentation) | 10лв | $5.50 |
| Legal address service (annual, required for registration) | 120лв | $66.20 |
| Legal/lawyer fees (average for standard registration) | 250лв | $137.95 |
| Bank account opening fee | 8лв | $4.40 |
| Total Average Company Creation Cost | 500лв | $275.00 |
*USD conversion at 1 BGN = 0.55 USD
The minimum initial capital requirement (2лв) is purely nominal. Most of the expense comes from legal services and the mandatory state registration fee.
Standard Annual Maintenance Costs for a Bulgarian OOD
Annual maintenance costs for OOD companies in Bulgaria consist mainly of accounting, legal address, and compliance-related services. The total will vary, most noticeably depending on the level of outsourced legal support required throughout the year.
| Maintenance Item | Amount (BGN/year) | Amount (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual accounting services (mandatory) | 600лв | $330.00 |
| Legal address service (if using provided office) | 120лв | $66.00 |
| Annual tax return filing (outsourced) | 60лв | $33.00 |
| Optional legal/lawyer retainer (compliance, contracts, etc.) | 1020лв | $561.00 |
| Total Minimum | 600лв | $330.00 |
| Total Maximum | 1800лв | $990.00 |
Actual annual cost depends primarily on your choice of legal service tier and accounting requirements.
Key Observations from the Data
- Very low minimum capital: At only 2лв (<$2), this is a technical requirement, not a financial barrier.
- Government registration charges are predictable and modest relative to EU peers.
- Variable maintenance expenses: Most years, the annual budget will range between 600лв–1800лв ($330–$990), depending on the scale of legal and accounting needs.
- All-in company formation can typically be completed for around 500лв ($275), including basic legal and registration fees.
Pro Tips for Efficient Company Setup and Operation
- Opt for reputable local accountants with experience handling non-resident founders. This can streamline statutory compliance and annual filing.
- Negotiate legal address and accountant packages in advance; bundled services may yield cost savings over single-item pricing.
- Review whether in-house or outsourced tax return filing is more cost-effective for your business activity—separate outsourcing may be unnecessary for very simple structures.
- Keep all official receipts and registration documents—audits and compliance checks in Bulgaria require strict record-keeping.
- Check official registries and government portals for any updates to state fee structures or accounting rules before submitting your incorporation paperwork.
Sources and Official References
For those considering Bulgaria for company setup, costs remain both transparent and competitive by regional standards. The regulatory requirements are clear and typically predictable, with routine annual costs focused around accounting and procedural compliance. Keeping up-to-date with official regulations and fee adjustments should be a regular practice, and leveraging bundled service providers can avoid unnecessary overhead throughout the company lifecycle.