Entering a company in the Bulgarian Commercial Register
In Bulgaria a company is entered in the Commercial Register on an application in form A4 filed with the Registry Agency (Агенция по вписванията), either electronically or on paper, together with the documents on the agency's list. What the register is and how to search it are covered in other articles; here we look at the filing process.
Companies and taxes · Last reviewed: 2026-10-07
This is not legal or financial advice
The agency's document list
The Registry Agency's page «How do I register a company» gives a list of twelve items for a single-owner limited liability company (ЕООД). The main ones are:
- A certificate for the paid-in capital, which a bank of your choice can issue (бележка за внесен капитал).
- A consent to take up management with a specimen signature (спесимен), with the signature notarised.
- The articles of incorporation (учредителен акт) and the founding minutes (учредителен протокол).
- A decision appointing the sole owner of the capital as manager.
- The A4 application form, available on the Commercial Register portal.
- Four declarations required by law (those based on articles 13, 141 and 142).
- Optionally, an application to reserve the company name.
- Any licence or permit that the activity requires.
The Ministry of Economy's SME handbook adds, for companies with several owners, a document proving the existence of any legal-entity partner (for a foreign legal entity, for example a register extract) and a power of attorney where a representative files. Re-check the list on the day you file; it varies with the type of company.
How the filing works
Reserve the name (optional)
According to the handbook, reserving the name is not mandatory, but it can be done before filing.Pay the capital into a bank
The capital is paid into a special account at any commercial bank, and the bank certifies it; the account fee follows the bank's tariff.Have the documents signed and prepared
The manager's specimen signature is notarised. The act provides that an electronic image of notarised documents is attached to the application and that the officer checks it against the record in the notaries' information system.File and pay the fee
The handbook says filing can be done entirely electronically with a qualified electronic signature (КЕП), in which case the fee is markedly lower. No amount is given here; see the agency's fee schedule.Wait for the decision
According to the act, first-registration applications are examined by the end of the working day after they are entered, with the result entered immediately. The text is a 2023 copy, so confirm the current time frame with the agency.
Refusal, appeal and later changes
- If a requirement is missing, the registration officer issues a reasoned refusal, which is served on the applicant immediately.
- A refusal can be appealed within 7 days of service, through the agency, to the district court for the company's seat. The portal also lists services for «elimination of errors and incompleteness» and for a «complaint against a refusal to register».
- A change in registered circumstances (address, manager, partner) must, as a rule, be filed within 7 days; where the law sets another period, that period applies.
- The application and attachments are filed in Bulgarian; documents in EU languages are accepted with a certified Bulgarian translation.
No fee or timing is guaranteed
Frequently asked questions
Can I file entirely online?
According to the Ministry of Economy handbook, with a qualified electronic signature (КЕП) the filing can be fully electronic and the fee is lower. Without a КЕП you need to go through the agency's offices.
How quickly must I report a change after registration?
The text of the Commercial Register Act sets 7 days as the rule, unless the law provides another period. Confirm the current text and special cases with your lawyer.
What if my application is refused?
Read the reasons and correct the gap, or appeal to the court within 7 days of service. The portal lists separate services for correcting errors and for appeals.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Агенция по вписванията — Как да регистрирам фирма (Търговски регистър) — https://www.registryagency.bg/bg/registri/targovski-registar/kak-da-registriram-firma/ · 2026-10-07
- Министерство на икономиката — Business handbook for SME: избор на правна форма, документи и процедура (англ.) — https://www.mi.government.bg/en/business-handbook-for-sme/choice-of-legal-form-registration-documents-and-procedure/ · 2026-10-07
- Агенция по вписванията — Закон за търговския регистър и регистъра на юридическите лица с нестопанска цел (текст на сайта на агенцията) — https://www.registryagency.bg/media/filer_public/2023/10/03/zakon_za_trgovskiia_registr_i_registra_na_iuridicheskite_litsa_s_nestopanska_tsel.pdf · 2026-10-07
- Агенция по вписванията — EPZEU: Търговски регистър, електронни услуги (англ.) — https://portal.registryagency.bg/CR/en/services · 2026-10-07
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