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Registering as a freelancer in Bulgaria (BULSTAT)

In Bulgaria, individuals pursuing a liberal profession (свободна професия) or craft activity are among those who must be entered in the BULSTAT register run by the Registry Agency. This is not the same as registering a company in the Commercial Register.

Companies and taxes · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08

This is not legal or financial advice

This page explains the process in general terms and points to the official sources of the competent authorities. For decisions specific to your own situation, consult a lawyer, an accountant or the relevant institution. Rules and amounts change over time.

Who is entered in BULSTAT

According to the Registry Agency page, those subject to entry include «individuals practising a liberal profession or craft activity». Foreign individuals without a Bulgarian personal number (ЕГН) or foreigner's number (ЛНЧ) register if they carry out commercial activity or independent personal services in the country, own real estate there or are employers. Persons from an EU or EEA state who operate in the country solely under the freedom to provide services are not entered in BULSTAT.

Who files and where

The entry is requested by the person, a lawyer with an explicit power of attorney, or a representative with an explicit notarised power of attorney. Paper applications go to the Registry Agency's territorial units at the seats of the district courts, where the applicant's identity is checked; applications can also be filed electronically at www.bulstat.bg. A declaration signed by the applicant on the truthfulness of the stated circumstances is attached.

Documents for a self-insured person

  1. Form РБ-2

    According to the Registry Agency portal page, form РБ-2 is used for a self-insured person (самоосигуряващо се лице).
  2. Declaration

    The applicant's declaration under article 9(4) of the BULSTAT Register Act.
  3. Proof of activity

    A document showing the declared activity is carried out in Bulgaria, an ownership document or other documents where the law requires them.
  4. Fee receipt

    Proof that the state fee was paid. The amount is set in the Registry Agency's current fee tariff (article 8(1)); the old national-currency figure on the portal page is not repeated here.

BULSTAT registration does not replace tax registration with the National Revenue Agency (НАП) or social-insurance obligations; their conditions are not described on these pages and are therefore not covered here. Ask an accountant.

This page is not legal or tax advice

The facts were read from the Registry Agency and portal pages on 8 October 2026. Form links on the portal may be out of date; take current forms from the register's page. Whether a foreign national may work as a freelancer depends on residence status and is not covered here; ask a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I apply for BULSTAT registration?

At the Registry Agency's territorial units at the seats of the district courts on paper, or electronically at www.bulstat.bg.

Can a representative file for me?

Yes: a lawyer with an explicit power of attorney or a representative with an explicit notarised power of attorney.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.

  1. Агенция по вписванията — Кои лица подлежат на вписване в Регистър БУЛСТАТ — https://www.registryagency.bg/bg/registri/registar-bulstat/koi-litsa-podlezhat-na-vpisvane-v-registr-bulstat/ · 2026-10-08
  2. Агенция по вписванията — Как се подават заявления в Регистър БУЛСТАТ — https://www.registryagency.bg/bg/registri/registar-bulstat/kak-se-podavat-zayavleniya-v-bulstat/ · 2026-10-08
  3. Портал на Агенцията по вписванията (ЕПЗЕУ) — Ако съм самоосигуряващо се лице, какво ми е необходимо за БУЛСТАТ? — https://portal.registryagency.bg/en/page/52 · 2026-10-08

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