For entrepreneurs and digital nomads considering Bulgaria as a base for their business in 2025, understanding the true costs of company creation and maintenance is essential. If you’re weary of opaque fees and state-imposed hurdles, you’re not alone. This guide delivers a transparent, data-driven breakdown of what it really takes to launch and run a standard company—specifically a Дружество с ограничена отговорност (ООД), or Limited Liability Company (LLC)—in Bulgaria, with all figures sourced from official and reputable resources.
Company Formation Costs in Bulgaria (2025): What to Expect
Setting up an OOD (LLC) in Bulgaria is refreshingly straightforward compared to many EU jurisdictions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the average creation costs, all in Bulgarian Lev (BGN), with USD equivalents for clarity (1 BGN ≈ 0.55 USD as of early 2025):
| Cost Item | Amount (BGN) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital requirement | 2 | 1.10 |
| State registration fee (Commercial Register) | 110 | 60.50 |
| Notary fees (for specimen signature and documents) | 10 | 5.50 |
| Legal address service (annual, typical for registration) | 120 | 66.00 |
| Legal/lawyer fees (average for standard registration) | 250 | 137.50 |
| Bank account opening fee | 8 | 4.40 |
| Total (average) | 500 | 275.00 |
Pro Tip #1: The minimum capital requirement is a symbolic 2 BGN (about $1.10), making Bulgaria one of the most accessible EU countries for company formation. However, the real costs come from legal, notary, and address services. Always confirm whether your legal address provider includes mail forwarding or compliance support.
Annual Maintenance Costs: Keeping Your Bulgarian Company Compliant
Once your OOD is registered, annual maintenance is both predictable and manageable. Here’s what you’ll need to budget for in 2025:
| Maintenance Item | Annual Cost (BGN) | Annual Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual accounting services (mandatory) | 600 | 330.00 |
| Legal address service (if using a registered office provider) | 120 | 66.00 |
| Annual tax return filing (if outsourced separately) | 60 | 33.00 |
| Optional legal/lawyer retainer (common for compliance) | 1020 | 561.00 |
| Total (range) | 600–1800 | 330.00–990.00 |
Pro Tip #2: If you’re comfortable handling basic compliance, you can keep annual costs at the lower end of the spectrum (around 600 BGN / $330). Outsourcing legal and tax tasks for peace of mind? Budget up to 1,800 BGN ($990) per year. Always clarify what’s included in your accounting package—some providers bundle tax filing, others charge separately.
Mini Case Study: Lean Startup vs. Full-Service Setup
- Lean Startup: Anna, a digital nomad, registers her OOD with minimal legal help and handles compliance herself. Her total first-year cost: 500 BGN ($275) to start, 600 BGN ($330) per year to maintain.
- Full-Service Setup: Mark, an expat entrepreneur, opts for a lawyer retainer and premium address service. His first-year cost: 500 BGN ($275) to start, 1,800 BGN ($990) per year ongoing.
Checklist: Steps to Optimize Your Company Setup in Bulgaria
- Choose your legal address wisely. Some providers offer compliance support and mail forwarding—worth the extra BGN if you’re abroad.
- Negotiate legal fees. Standard registration can often be handled for less if you’re prepared and organized.
- Bundle accounting and tax filing. Many accountants offer discounts for combined services.
- Review your need for a legal retainer. If your business is low-risk, you may not need ongoing legal support.
Key Takeaways: Bulgaria’s Company Costs in 2025
- Company formation is affordable: average 500 BGN ($275) all-in.
- Annual maintenance ranges from 600 to 1,800 BGN ($330–$990), depending on your service choices.
- Minimal capital requirements and transparent state fees make Bulgaria a pragmatic choice for location-independent entrepreneurs.
For further details and official guidance, consult these authoritative sources: