Can a non-resident form a OOD (Limited Liability Company) in Bulgaria?
Yes — Bulgaria allows fully remote formation. As of 2026, the path looks like this for a non-resident founder:
Step-by-step process
- Choose your entity type. Most non-residents pick a OOD (Limited Liability Company) — the Bulgaria equivalent of an LLC / private company.
- Engage a local agent / corporate service provider. Required in many jurisdictions; expect to pay $300-$1,500 for full setup assistance.
- Reserve a company name with Bulgaria's business registry.
- Submit incorporation documents: articles of association, director/shareholder details, registered address.
- Pay state filing fee: approximately $90.
- Receive certificate of incorporation in approximately 5 business days.
- Open a business bank account (see banking accessibility 6/10 below — this is often the harder step).
- Register for tax with Bulgaria's tax authority. VAT/GST may apply at 20%.
Real cost beyond the filing fee
| Item | Typical cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Government filing fee | $90 |
| Annual maintenance fee | $0 |
| Local agent / formation service (one-off) | $300–$1,500 |
| Bank account opening (third-party fees) | $0–$500 |
| Accounting / tax filing (annual) | $500–$3,000/yr |
Banking — the real chokepoint
Bulgaria's business banking accessibility is 6/10. Banks are workable but expect documentation back-and-forth and possible in-person visits. Some online options (Wise, Revolut) help.
Tax implications
- Corporate income tax in Bulgaria: headline 10%. Flat 10% on profits. 5% dividend withholding on distribution. Lowest in EU.
- VAT/GST: 20% — applies if registered for VAT (thresholds vary).
- Dividend / withholding tax: when profits are distributed to non-resident owners, withholding tax usually applies. Tax treaties can reduce it.
- Home-country tax: your country may apply CFC (controlled foreign company) rules. Many countries do. Check before incorporating.
When Bulgaria makes sense for non-residents
Bulgaria is commonly chosen by non-residents for: EU market access, Tax-optimised SMEs. For comparison with a US LLC, see Bulgaria vs USA. For US-specific tax math, use our non-resident US LLC tax calculator.