Establish a Joint Stock Company in Bulgaria: Key Steps

Opening a joint stock company (JSC) in Bulgaria is a simple and fast process that our local specialists can oversee. We invite you to read these lines and find out the key requirements for registering this type of entity.

Quick Facts
Purposes of a joint stock company in Bulgaria	Dedicated to large investments and projects in Bulgaria
Registration authority	Trade Register in Bulgaria
Legislation	Commercial Act, Article 188
Minimum share capital	EUR 25,000
Requirements for JSC in Bulgaria	– preparing Articles of Association, – opening a bank account, – registering for taxation and social contributions, – completing standard forms, – other formalities that can be explained by our agents.
Minutes of constitutive meeting required (YES/NO)	YES
Signature sample solicited for JSC registration in Bulgaria (YES/NO)	YES
Number of directors	At least one director is required for a joint stock company in Bulgaria.
Management	One-stage or two-stage management control system
Requirements for opening a bank account in Bulgaria	No residency requirement for directors; banks may require in-person identification.
Board of executives meeting requirement	At least once per year
Corporate income tax rate in Bulgaria	10%
Dividend tax rate in Bulgaria	5%
Time frame for registration	Around 2 weeks
Working with our Bulgarian agents	We help international entrepreneurs register a joint stock company in Bulgaria by managing all the paperwork and procedures.
Can foreign nationals own shares in a JSC in Bulgaria? (Yes/No)	Yes, foreign individuals and entities can fully own shares.
Are bearer shares allowed? (Yes/No)	No, Bulgarian law does not allow bearer shares—only registered shares are permitted.
Currency for share capital	The share capital must be expressed in euro (EUR).
Payment method for share capital	Capital can be deposited via bank transfer into a Bulgarian bank corporate account.
Shareholder liability	Limited to the amount of their investment in the company.
Type of shares permitted	Both ordinary and preferred shares can be issued.
Annual financial statements filing (YES/NO)	YES, companies must file annual financial statements with the Trade Register.
Statutory auditor requirement	Mandatory if specific thresholds (e.g., turnover, employees, assets) are exceeded.
Public offering of shares	Allowed only if the company is listed on a Bulgarian stock exchange.
Minimum number of shareholders	One shareholder is sufficient (single-member EAD).
Company seal required (YES/NO)	Not mandatory, but commonly used in practice.
Corporate governance code adherence (YES/NO)	Voluntary for private JSCs, mandatory for listed companies.
VAT registration threshold	EUR 51,130 annual turnover
Language of official documents	All official filings must be in Bulgarian.
Registered office requirement	A physical address in Bulgaria is mandatory for registration.

Can foreigners open JSCs in Bulgaria? Are there any restrictions?

Any EU and non-EU investor can set up joint stock companies in Bulgaria. There are no nationality restrictions.

What is the minimum share capital for a JSC in Bulgaria?

EUR 25,000. At least 25% of the capital must be deposited at the time of incorporation of a joint stock company in Bulgaria.

Where do I register a joint stock company in Bulgaria?

At the Bulgarian Commercial Register.

Below is an infographic with details about joint stock companies in Bulgaria:

What documents are required to open a JSC in Bulgaria?

Articles & Memorandum of Association,
Proof of a registered business address in Bulgaria,
Proof of paid capital in a local bank account in Bulgaria,
Completed standard forms provided by the Bulgarian Trade Register,
Minutes from the constituent meeting,
Specimen signatures, etc.

IMPORTANT: Shareholders must implement anti-money laundering policies when opening a joint stock company in Bulgaria.

Where do I register a JSC in Bulgaria for tax purposes?

At the National Revenue Agency in Bulgaria.

Can I register a JSC online in Bulgaria?

Yes. Physical registration at the Commercial Register is a popular option too. In both cases, businessmen can be represented by our specialists in company formation in Bulgaria.

NOTE: All company documents must be translated into Bulgarian and then notarized before submission to the Bulgarian Trade Register.

Here is a video presentation that explains why joint stock companies are proper options for investors in Bulgaria:

What changes can you make in ready-made joint stock companies in Bulgaria?

Entrepreneurs benefit from flexibility regarding joint stock companies in Bulgaria. They can make changes in terms of:

increasing or decreasing the capital,
modifying the business name and/or registered business address,
changing the ownership/managers, etc.

What is the time frame to open a joint stock company in Bulgaria?

About 2-3 weeks.

What are the benefits of a JSC in Bulgaria?

10% flat corporate tax,
Low operational costs,
Access to the European Single Market,
Euro currency integration since the beginning of 2026, etc.

How do you assist in opening a subsidiary in Bulgaria?

we can manage the paperwork and submit it to the relevant authorities,
we help foreigners with the immigration formalities when setting up a subsidiary in Bulgaria.

NOTE: Various business-related services are provided to our international clients, on request.

Besides assistance in company formation, our accountants in Bulgaria have the necessary experience and can offer you the services you need for the business you want to develop or already have. We can also help entrepreneurs open a startup in Bulgaria at any time. Additional details and information about how to establish a joint stock company in Bulgaria can be obtained if you contact our experts in company incorporation in Bulgaria.