Your business.
In Bulgaria.
Ready for growth.

We put your business on a growth trajectory — whatever your industry. As marketing experts, we combine customer acquisition and growth hacking with setting up your business in Bulgaria: a tax-attractive EU location with 10 % corporate income tax. Employees, management and accounting? We take care of those too.

  • Compliant setup with qualified professionals
  • Fully German-speaking support
  • We serve all industries
  • Award-winning Growth Hacking Experts

10 % corporate income tax on taxable company profits in Bulgaria. Your overall tax burden depends on your individual circumstances.

10 %

Corporate income tax in Bulgaria*

From A to Z

Setup, operations and marketing

We serve all industries

Tailored to your business model

More than company formation

Not just a paper company.
A real business.

A company is easy to imagine. A working business needs people, leadership, sound processes and customers.

This is where we come in: FREITAG Labs EOOD combines operational setup in Bulgaria with research and growth marketing. You receive more than an isolated formation service — we support what matters afterwards.

You bring the vision. We organise the execution.

Your complete service

Build. Organise.
Move forward.

01

Company formation & location

We coordinate the setup of your company and location in Bulgaria — from the right structure to local organisation.

02

Employees & team

The right people for your plans. We support recruitment, team building and the organisation of your workflows.

03

Operational management

A business needs more than a register entry. We handle processes, coordination and day-to-day operations within the agreed scope.

04

Accounting & organisation

We organise ongoing accounting and coordination with appropriate professionals — so administration and deadlines do not hold back growth.

05

Marketing & growth

Positioning, customer acquisition and campaigns: as Growth Hacking Experts, we develop and test marketing that supports your business goals.

06

Research & strategy

We analyse markets, competitors and audiences to build an informed plan for your business model, rather than an off-the-shelf solution.

Scope of services agreed individually. Legal and tax matters are coordinated with qualified professionals.

On the ground in Sofia

Your location in Bulgaria.
Your outlook: forward.

An EU location with business opportunities. We combine local organisation with an international perspective on markets, customers and growth.

How we work together

From your idea to ongoing operations.

01

Understand your situation

We discuss your business model, goals and support needs, including any potential legal and tax obstacles.

02

Plan the structure

We define the location, responsibilities and services. You receive a concrete implementation plan and an individual proposal.

03

Build your business

We coordinate formation and local organisation, support team building and establish the agreed processes.

04

Operations & growth

Management and accounting run through structured processes. Alongside them, we develop research, marketing and initiatives for your business goals.

Tax advantages. With substance.

10 % corporate income tax.
Approx. 1.5 % additional tax on dividends paid to your German GmbH.*

If you form the Bulgarian company as a subsidiary of your German GmbH, the subsidiary generally pays 10 % corporate income tax on its taxable profit in Bulgaria. If it subsequently distributes the profit to its German parent, the additional German tax on that dividend may be around 1.5 %.

* Statutory shareholding and exemption requirements must be met. Dividends are then generally 95% tax-exempt in Germany; 5% are treated as non-deductible business expenses. With a municipal trade-tax multiplier of 400%, the dividend is taxed at approximately 1.5%, including corporate income tax, solidarity surcharge and trade tax. The actual rate depends, among other things, on the municipal multiplier.

The corporate income tax exemption generally requires a minimum shareholding of 10%; trade-tax relief for foreign subsidiaries generally requires 15% at the start of the assessment period. Dividends paid to a German tax-resident GmbH may qualify for Bulgaria’s EU/EEA withholding tax exemption; conditions and documentation must be checked separately.

The approximately 1.5% applies to the distributed dividend after Bulgarian profit taxation — not to the original company profit or to formation itself. Any later distribution from your German GmbH to you as an individual is taxed separately.

VAT, social contributions and other international tax obligations must be assessed separately. Actual management, permanent establishments, operational substance and potential controlled foreign company taxation must be considered. We do not promise a fixed overall tax rate: your specific structure is reviewed with qualified tax advisers before implementation.

Company formation in Bulgaria with a director

Providing directors in Bulgaria.
With real local management.

For your company formation we provide a managing director in Bulgaria and, on request, conclude a written fiduciary agreement (trust deed) with a fiduciary shareholder that protects your privacy as owner: your name does not appear in the publicly accessible commercial register.

External director on the ground

Want to form a company in Bulgaria without moving to Sofia yourself? We provide a local external director who genuinely manages your Bulgarian company — with clear responsibilities, reporting lines and coordination with you.

EOOD or OOD with a director

Whether a single-member company (EOOD) or a multi-member OOD, including a subsidiary of your German GmbH: we support company formation in Bulgaria, including management, employees and accounting.

Nominee services? We prefer real substance.

Many people look for a trustee or nominee director in Bulgaria. We deliberately do not offer a mere figurehead director, but management with genuine local activity — because actual management and substance are crucial for tax purposes.

Fiduciary agreement to protect your privacy

When forming a company in Bulgaria, the commercial register entry is publicly accessible. On request, we not only provide the managing director but also conclude a written fiduciary agreement (trust deed): a fiduciary shareholder we appoint appears in the register, while your name as owner does not appear there publicly. Management stays genuinely on the ground — with contractually agreed responsibilities, reporting lines and your control. Limits such as the beneficial-ownership register and anti-money-laundering rules are assessed individually before implementation. This keeps your formation largely anonymous to the public.

Good to know

Clear questions.
Clear answers.

Individual rather than one-size-fits-all solutions

Local operational support

Marketing is included from the start

Is the tax rate really just 10%?

Bulgaria generally charges 10% corporate income tax on taxable company profits. This is not an overall tax rate: dividends, VAT, payroll charges and potential tax obligations in other countries must be assessed separately.

Do I have to move to Bulgaria?

No. We provide directors and employees in Bulgaria. Nobody has to move to Bulgaria. Before implementation, we assess with qualified advisers whether and where your tax residence changes.

Which industries is this service suitable for?

We work with businesses in every industry — from digital business models to trade and manufacturing. The services available locally depend on your business model. Regulated activities require permits and specific requirements to be assessed first.

Do you also support ongoing operations?

Yes. Alongside setup, we can support employees, operational management, accounting organisation and marketing. Responsibilities, scope and collaboration are agreed individually.

What does setting up my business cost?

This depends on your structure, staffing needs and the support you require. After assessing your needs, we provide an individual proposal. We intentionally do not list a flat package price on this page.

Do you guarantee business growth?

We work towards positive development through research, clear processes and data-driven marketing. However, commercial success, specific revenues or particular tax savings cannot be guaranteed.

Which company form is used in Bulgaria?

For most formations it is a limited liability company: as a single-member company (EOOD) or with several shareholders (OOD). Shareholders are generally liable only up to the amount of their contributions. Which form fits the individual case is agreed before the formation.

How much share capital does a company in Bulgaria need?

For an OOD or EOOD, the Bulgarian Commercial Act prescribes a minimum share capital of 2 leva (about 1 euro); other legal forms such as the joint-stock company require higher minimum capital.

What are the steps of a company formation in Bulgaria?

The basis is the articles of association, a company address in Bulgaria and notarised documents. The company is then entered in the Bulgarian Commercial Register, followed by tax registration and, where required, registration for a VAT identification number. Opening a company account with a Bulgarian bank completes the setup.

Which documents and details are required for the formation?

Details on shareholders and directors, the company name and registered office, share capital and business activity. Foreign documents usually have to be certified and translated. We coordinate documents, certifications and translations.

How long does a company formation in Bulgaria take?

Reliable statements require an individual assessment: the duration depends on documents, certifications, translations and the processes of the Commercial Register and banks. After the needs assessment, you receive a concrete schedule for your project.

How does a fiduciary agreement protect my privacy?

The entry in the Bulgarian commercial register is public. On request, we provide a managing director and conclude a written fiduciary agreement (trust deed) in which a fiduciary shareholder represents you as owner: your name does not appear in the publicly accessible register, while the company is managed by a genuine, on-the-ground management team with clear responsibilities and reporting lines. Limits — such as the beneficial-ownership register or anti-money-laundering rules — are clarified with qualified advisers before implementation.

Is the fiduciary agreement notarially secured — and what rights do I have?

Yes. The fiduciary agreement (trust deed) with the fiduciary shareholder and/or managing director is concluded in writing and, on request, notarially secured. It defines your control rights — such as instruction and reporting rights and the trustee's obligation to follow your directions — and includes retransfer rights: the shares can be transferred back to you or a person you name at any time. The exact terms are agreed individually with qualified advisers before implementation.

Can I form a company in Bulgaria anonymously?

Largely, yes: with a written fiduciary agreement (trust deed), a fiduciary shareholder appears in the public commercial register, and your name as owner does not appear there. However, a formation is never fully anonymous: banks and authorities know the beneficial owner — for example through the beneficial-ownership register and anti-money-laundering rules. We clarify these limits transparently with qualified advisers before implementation.

Your next step

Your business.
Your next chapter.

Where are you today — and where do you want to grow? Tell us about your business. We review your information, contact you personally and discuss the appropriate scope as the basis for your individual proposal.

Tailored to your business

Only the services you actually need

Non-binding enquiry, no booking

Michael Freitag

Your contact

Michael Freitag

For your business and growth plans in Bulgaria.

Forbes Business CouncilMichael Freitag on Forbes
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