Legal Library

Legal analyses, guides and practical advice from the Innovires Legal team — accessible, current and one click away.

practice areas Updated

No articles found

Try a different keyword or browse the categories above.

Corporate Law

42 articles

Company Registration in Bulgaria — Complete Guide (2026)

EUR 1 capital, eurozone, VCC for startups — everything about setting up an LLC, JSC or VCC.

Branch of a Bulgarian Company — When and How to Open a Regional Branch (2026)

Arts. 17-20 Commerce Act, 1 branch per locality, fee EUR 10.23 electronic, 3-5 business days.

Occupational Health Service (OHS) in Bulgaria — How to Register and Operate (2026)

Ministry of Health registration, minimum staff (doctor + engineer + technical), fee EUR 188.

Starting an HR/Recruitment Agency in Bulgaria — Employment Intermediation Registration (2026)

Employment Agency registration, fee EUR 410, free services to candidates — mandatory rule.

Private Security License in Bulgaria — Types, Procedure and Fees (2026)

5 activity types, MoI GDNP, fees EUR 256-3,068, indefinite license, staff requirements.

Registering a Food Establishment with BFSA — Shop, Restaurant, Online Sales (2026)

Food Act, mandatory HACCP, fees EUR 103-230, on-site inspection within 30-60 days.

Registration in Bulgaria's Central Professional Register of Builders (CPRB) (2026)

5 construction categories, 5 groups, personnel + equipment, electronic submission, register.ksb.bg.

Financial Institution Under Art. 3a CIA — BNB Registration, Ordinance 26 and Consumer Credit (2026)

Leasing, factoring, non-bank lending — triple legal framework, APR ceiling, AML obligations.

Registration with KAB and KIIP — Design Competence for Architects and Engineers (2026)

Full vs limited competence, 2-4 years practice, admission ~EUR 80, EU recognition.

Insurance Broker and Agent — Registration, Differences and Requirements (2026)

FSC registration, broker vs agent, PI insurance EUR 1.25M, degree + 2yr experience, 15hr/yr training.

Authorization for Pharmaceutical Trade — Pharmacy, Drugstore and Online Sales (2026)

BDA authorization, pharmacist required, fee EUR 511, online OTC only with EU logo.

Certification of SPA, Wellness and Medical SPA Centres in Bulgaria (2026)

Ordinance 04-14, trademark protection, 4 types of centres, fees EUR 511-665, 5-year validity.

Agricultural Producer Registration in Bulgaria — Procedure, Documents, Taxes and Subsidies (2026)

AAPA Art. 7, Ordinance 3/1999, free registration at Regional Agriculture Directorate, 60%/40% flat-rate expenses, EUR 51,130 tax relief.

Hotel and Guest House Categorization in Bulgaria — Procedure, Fees and Requirements (2026)

Tourism Act, Class A/B, 1-5★, fees 10-2,250 BGN, ESTI system, EU Regulation 2024/1028 from 20.05.2026.

Fuel Trade in Bulgaria — Registration, Licensing and Requirements (2026)

ZARIDINPNP, capital BGN 20,000-1,000,000, collateral, excise duties, EKAS, fines up to BGN 200,000.

EOOD vs OOD vs DPK — Which Company Type? (2026)

Capital EUR 1, tax 10% + 5% dividend. Full comparison.

Register an EOOD (Single-Member LLC) in Bulgaria (2026)

Step-by-step procedure, documents, costs in EUR.

Register an OOD (Multi-Member LLC) — Step by Step (2026)

Partnership agreement, partner rights, procedure.

Register a VCC (DPK) — Startup Guide (2026)

Procedure, documents, costs, comparison with EOOD.

Register a Company as a Foreigner in Bulgaria (2026)

Remote, via power of attorney, EU vs non-EU, fees.

Variable Capital Company (VCC) — The New Form for Startups

No minimum capital, vesting, ESOP, convertible loans.

Transfer of Company Shares in an OOD — Procedure & Taxes (2026)

Notarization, GA resolution, 10% capital gains tax.

Capital Redenomination for the Euro — Guide

Deadline 31.12.2026, procedure, calculation examples.

Company Liquidation — Step-by-Step Procedure

9 steps from NRA notification to deletion from Trade Register.

Closing a Sole Trader (ET) — Procedure, Documents & Deadlines (2026)

Step by step: NSSI certificate, Form A1, VAT deregistration. Fee from EUR 8.

Company Liquidation — Procedure, Timeline & Costs (2026)

Standard and fast-track liquidation.

Fast-Track Liquidation — The New Procedure (2026)

Art. 274a Commercial Act, conditions.

Insolvency — Procedure, Creditors & Reorganisation

9-stage procedure, reorganisation plan.

Registration of Foundation and Association (NPO)

Public vs private benefit, documents, fees.

Branch of a Bulgarian NGO (Association or Foundation) — Registration and Scope (2026)

Application B2, own EIK, 1 branch per locality, fee EUR 12.78 electronic via lawyer.

Foreign NGO Branch in Bulgaria — Requirements, Documents and Apostille (2026)

Application A18, apostille or consular legalization, certified translation, 3-6 weeks.

Closing a Bulgarian Community Centre (Chitalishte) — Liquidation Procedure and Requirements (2026)

2/3 majority, 6-month period, Art. 77 DOPK certificate, obligations towards Ministry of Culture.

Terms & Conditions for Online Shops — Legal Requirements

10 mandatory clauses, e-commerce, GDPR.

Opening a Bank Account in Bulgaria — Guide

Corporate accounts, AML requirements, euro.

Bank Account for Foreign Citizens in Bulgaria

EU and non-EU citizens, documents.

Starting a Business as a Foreign Entrepreneur

Company types, remote registration, tax residency.

The Startup Ecosystem in Bulgaria — Opportunities

VC funds, accelerators, tax incentives.

Additional Cash Contributions in LLCs

Art. 134 Commercial Act, procedure, deadlines and consequences of non-payment.

Branch Registration of Foreign Company in Bulgaria

Trade Register filing, required documents, tax implications.

Changing NACE Code — Procedure & Costs

Trade Register application, timeline and fees for updating your main activity code.

Civil Partnership (DZZD) — Formation & Taxation

BULSTAT registration, tax treatment and liability of partners.

Contribution of Receivables to Company Capital

Non-cash contribution procedure, valuation and Trade Register filing.

Converting EOOD to EDPK — Procedure & Benefits

Transformation to single-member variable capital company, documents and timeline.

Converting OOD to DPK — Step by Step

Transformation to variable capital company, partner consent and registration.

Annual Financial Statements — Filing & Deadlines

Trade Register submission, deadlines 30 June / 30 September, fines for non-compliance.

DZZD in Public Procurement — Legal Framework

Joint participation in tenders, liability, documentation requirements.

DZZD Termination — Grounds & Procedure

Dissolution by agreement, court order or expiry of term.

General Terms & Conditions — Drafting Guide

Mandatory clauses, consumer protection, e-commerce requirements.

Hidden Profit Distribution — Risks & Penalties

CITA rules, transactions at non-arm's-length prices, tax consequences.

Inheriting Company Shares in an OOD

Succession procedure, partner consent, Trade Register filing.

Management & Control Agreement (DUK)

Rights and obligations, tax treatment, social security.

Manager Duties in an OOD — Obligations & Liability

Fiduciary duties, non-compete, personal liability for damages.

No Activity Declaration — When & How to File

NRA and NSI declarations, deadlines and consequences of omission.

Partner Exclusion from OOD — Grounds & Procedure

Art. 126 Commercial Act, GA resolution, court proceedings.

Penalty Clauses in Bulgarian Contracts

Enforceability, court reduction, relationship with actual damages.

Shareholder Rights Protection — Legal Remedies

Minority shareholder rights, challenging GA decisions, derivative actions.

Trademark Registration in Bulgaria — Complete Guide

National and EU trademark, procedure, fees, opposition and renewal.

Tax Law

23 articles

Bulgaria Tax Law Changes 2026 — Overview

VAT threshold EUR 51,130, SME scheme, CIT reliefs.

VAT in Bulgaria — Complete Guide (2026)

Rate 20%, supplies, deductions, returns.

VAT Registration — When, How & Why (2026)

Threshold EUR 51,130, 7-day deadline.

VAT Registration — Thresholds, Rates & Procedure (2026)

EU SME scheme, current rates.

Prescription of Tax Debts — When the NRA Loses the Right to Collect (2026)

TSSPC Arts. 171-174, 5-year general, 10-year absolute prescription, ex officio write-off.

Tax Planning for M&A Deals in Bulgaria — Structuring and Risks (2026)

Share deal vs asset deal, VAT, WHT, DTTs, ATAD, goodwill, earn-out clauses.

Permanent Establishment — When Foreign Companies Owe Tax in Bulgaria (2026)

PE types, 10% CIT, DTTs, remote employees and PE risk.

Local Taxes and Fees — Property, Vehicle, Waste Fee (2026)

Property tax 0.1-4.5‰, vehicle tax by kW and Euro standard, 2026 waste fee reform.

Donation Tax in Bulgaria — When It Applies and How to Calculate (2026)

0% for direct line relatives, 0.4-0.8% for siblings, 3.3-6.6% for others. Exemptions and procedure.

Inheritance Tax in Bulgaria — Rates, Exemptions and Procedure (2026)

0% for direct line heirs, EUR 127,823 non-taxable minimum, 6-month filing deadline.

Appealing NRA Revision Acts — Procedure and Deadlines (2026)

14-day deadline, administrative and judicial phases, stay of enforcement, burden on NRA.

FDI Screening in Bulgaria — Foreign Investment Review (2026)

EUR 2M threshold, 45+30 day procedure, fines up to 5%, fully operational from 22.07.2025.

Tax on Expenses in Bulgaria 2026 — Entertainment, Social Benefits and Benefits in Kind

10% rate, thresholds EUR 102.26 food vouchers and EUR 30.68 insurance, filing by June 30.

Corporate Tax — Rates, Filing & Payment (2026)

10% flat tax, Pillar Two.

Cryptocurrency Tax in Bulgaria (2026)

Rate 9%, DeFi and NFT taxation.

Tax Return 2026 — Deadlines & Filing

30 April, 5% discount before 31.03.

Tax Relief for Children 2026

EUR 307/614/920 for 1/2/3+ children.

Airbnb Tax in Bulgaria (2026)

Patent tax, VAT, social security.

Rental Income Tax (2026)

Effective rate 9%, advance payments.

How to Become a Tax Resident of Bulgaria (2026)

183-day rule, NRA certificate.

Withholding Tax & Dividend Tax (2026)

5% dividend, 10% interest, 80+ DTTs.

Registering as a Freelancer — Taxes & Procedure

10% tax, 25% deductions, BULSTAT.

Related Party Loans — Tax Risks and Rules (2026)

Transfer pricing, hidden profit distribution 5%+20%, thin capitalization 3:1.

Taxes & Social Security — Complete Reference (2026)

All rates, thresholds and changes.

Advance Tax Payments — Rules & Deadlines

Monthly and quarterly advance payments, thresholds, penalties for underpayment.

Food Vouchers — Tax Treatment & Limits

EUR 100/month tax-free limit, employer deductibility, social security exemption.

Non-Deductible Expenses Under CITA

Entertainment, fines, hidden profit distribution — full list with tax adjustments.

Social Security for Self-Employed Persons

Contribution rates, income thresholds, annual equalization.

VAT-Exempt Supplies — Complete List

Financial services, healthcare, education, insurance — Art. 38-50 VATA.

VAT Input Credit — Conditions & Procedure

Right to deduct, 12-month deadline, partial credit, adjustments.

VAT Refund Procedure in Bulgaria

30-day offset, 30-day refund, audit, effective refund and accelerated procedure.

Taxation of Dividends, Liquidation Shares & Stock Income (2026)

5% dividend tax, combined rate 15%, liquidation shares, capital gains.

Taxes on Copyright and License Income (2026)

40% standard expenses, 6% effective rate, no social contributions, WHT for non-residents, VAT.

Withholding Tax in Bulgaria — Rates & Exemptions

10% default rate, DTT relief, EU Interest & Royalties Directive.

Double Tax Treaties (SIDDO) — Application Guide

80+ treaties, procedure for claiming relief, required documents.

Employment Law

15 articles

Employment Law Changes 2026 — Overview

Min wage EUR 620, Pay Transparency Directive.

Employment Contracts — Types & Requirements (2026)

Art. 66 Labour Code, mandatory content.

Disciplinary Dismissal — Step by Step for Employers (2026)

Art. 188-195 Labour Code, written explanations, 2-month deadline, 6-month compensation on reversal.

Whistleblowing — Internal Reporting Channels Guide for Employers (2026)

Whistleblower Protection Act — obligations for 50+ employees, 7/3 deadlines, fines up to EUR 10,225.

AI in Recruitment — Legal Risks for Employers (2026)

AI Act high-risk from 02.08.2026, GDPR Art. 22, emotion recognition ban, fines up to EUR 35M.

Compensation for Unused Paid Leave — Calculation and Rights (2026)

Art. 224 Labour Code, calculation formula, 2-year prescription period, tax treatment.

Compensation for Children Not Admitted to Kindergarten — Parents' Rights (2026)

Ordinance SG 90/2023, 5 conditions, bimonthly filing, actual expenses up to state average.

Social Insurance on Multiple Grounds — Rules, Examples and Common Mistakes (2026)

Two contracts, self-insured + employment, civil contracts. Max insurable income ~EUR 2,112.

Posting Workers to Germany — MiLoG, A1 and Practice (2026)

MiLoG EUR 13.90/hour, A1 certificate up to 24 months, Meldepflicht, fines up to EUR 500,000.

Dismissal — Employee Rights & Procedure (2026)

Protected categories, compensation.

Compensation Upon Termination (2026)

All types, calculations in EUR.

Electronic Employment Record — New System

Deadline 01.06.2026, entries 3/7/10 days.

EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970 — What Every Employer Must Know (2026)

Salary range in ads, pay secrecy ban, 7 indicators, 5% threshold, uncapped compensation. Deadline: 07.06.2026.

Penalties for Pay Transparency Violations — What Your Business Risks (2026)

Uncapped compensation, reversed burden of proof, collective actions. EUR 1.3M+ exposure.

Right to Pay Information — What Every Employee Can Request (2026)

Average by gender and category, 2-month deadline, pay secrecy clauses — BANNED.

Pay Transparency in Hiring 2026 — New Rules for Job Ads, Salaries and Recruitment

Salary range in ads, ban on asking previous pay, gender-neutral titles, non-discriminatory selection.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting — Who, When and What Must Be Reported (2027–2031)

250+ → 2027, 7 indicators, 5% threshold, joint assessment, prepare now.

Job Grading Under the EU Pay Transparency Directive — Why It's Mandatory and How It Works

4 mandatory criteria (skills, effort, responsibility, conditions), why NKPD is not enough, method comparison.

EU Pay Transparency Directive — Guide (2026)

Directive 2023/970, deadline 7 June 2026.

Overtime Work — Rules & Pay (2026)

150 hours/year, +50/75/100% premium.

Posting Workers to the EU (2026)

A1 certificate, fines EUR 767–15,339.

Remote Work (Home Office) — Rules (2026)

Art. 107z Labour Code, employer obligations.

EU Blue Card — Employer Guide (2026)

Salary EUR 2,054/month, documents.

Employment of Minors — Rules & Restrictions

Labour Inspectorate permit, working hours, prohibited activities.

Foreign Employer Registration in Bulgaria

NRA registration, social security obligations, payroll compliance.

Probation Period — Rules & Termination

Maximum 6 months, termination with notice, extension rules.

Reinstatement After Wrongful Dismissal

Court claim, compensation up to 6 months' salary, 2-month deadline.

Special Dismissal Protection — Protected Categories

Pregnant employees, trade union members, Labour Inspectorate approval.

Real Estate

10 articles

Buying Property — Complete Guide

5 steps, costs, VAT, mortgage.

Professional Condominium Managers 2026 — Mandatory Registration, Fees and Obligations

Ordinance RD-02-20-1 in force from 20.02.2026, MRRB registry, EUR 80 fee, 5-year validity.

Real Estate Brokerage — Rules, Commissions & Liability (2026)

Legal framework, brokerage agreement, AML obligations, typical 3+3% commission.

Preliminary Contract for Property — Essential Clauses & Court Enforcement (2026)

Art. 19 OCA, 10% deposit, court declaration as final, VKS Interpretive Decision 4/2020.

Power of Attorney in Bulgaria — Types, Form and Limits (2026)

Simple, signature certification, signature+content certification. Revocation and Art. 38 self-dealing ban.

Buying Property — Legal Guide (2026)

10 steps, 6–11% costs, 10% deposit.

Buying Property as a Foreigner — Step by Step

Land restriction, EOOD workaround.

Copies of Notarial Deeds 2026 — Who Can Obtain Them from 15 January

Restricted access, legal interest for third parties, anti-property fraud measures.

Notarial Fees for Property — Calculator (2026)

Tax 3%, registration 0.1%, max EUR 3,068.

Rental Agreement — Clauses & Protection

Deposit, 9% tax, notice period.

Condominium Ownership — Rights & Obligations

Common areas, general meeting, management, maintenance fees.

Hidden Defects in Property — Buyer's Remedies

Warranty claims, price reduction, rescission, limitation periods.

Maintenance & Care Agreement for Property

Transfer of property in exchange for lifelong care, registration, risks.

Mortgage in Bulgaria — Types & Procedure

Contractual and statutory mortgage, registration, enforcement.

Right of Use (Usufruct) — Establishment & Taxation

Creation by contract, will or prescription, valuation, tax treatment.

Immigration & Residency

5 articles

Tax Guide for Digital Nomads in Bulgaria — Residency, Taxation and Compliance (2026)

10% flat tax, 7.5% effective for freelancers, EOOD 15%, D visa, DTTs, banking.

Digital Nomad Visa — Complete Guide (2026)

Income EUR 31,000/year, up to 2 years.

Digital Nomad Visa — Everything You Need to Know

Requirements, taxes, cost of living.

Type D Visa — Types, Requirements & Procedure

21 grounds, including digital nomads.

Work Permit for Non-EU Citizens (2026)

2–4 months, fees EUR 200–250.

Residency Through Property Investment

Threshold BGN 600,000, citizenship.

Regulations & Compliance

16 articles

AML Compliance for Accountants — Guide (2026)

Art. 9b registry, customer due diligence.

MiCA and Jurisdiction Choice in CEE — Why Bulgaria Is the Best Option (2026)

Comparison of 5 CEE jurisdictions for crypto licensing — fees, capital, timelines, taxes. Class 1 from EUR 2,556.

MiCA Crypto Regulation (2026)

CASP licence, transition 01.07.2026.

Digital Services Act (DSA) in Bulgaria — Obligations for Online Platforms (2026)

Regulation 2022/2065, CRC as coordinator, fines up to 6% of turnover, VLOPs duties.

EU Data Act — What It Means for Business in Bulgaria (2026)

Regulation 2023/2854: IoT access, B2B sharing, cloud switching, applicable from 12.09.2025.

Collective Consumer Claims — New Rules in Bulgaria (2026)

Directive 2020/1828, CPA and CPC amendments from 03.02.2026, opt-in model, Sofia City Court.

Personal Data and Artificial Intelligence — GDPR and AI Act Intersection (2026)

Dual GDPR+AI Act regime, DPIA vs FRIA, Art. 22, black box, cumulative fines up to 7% of turnover.

GDPR in Bulgaria — Practical Guide for Businesses (2026)

Controller obligations, DPO, DPIA, 72-hour breach rule. Full service package via gdprbg.com.

Workplace Video Surveillance — GDPR Rules (2026)

Legal bases, DPIA, CPDP decisions, prohibitions. Checklist for employers.

NIS2 in Bulgaria — Cybersecurity Obligations (2026)

Essential vs Important entities, 24/72 hour reporting, management liability, fines up to EUR 10M.

Anonymization and Pseudonymization — EDPB Guidelines (2026)

Differences, EDPB three tests, k-anonymity, pseudonymization and re-identification risk.

GDPR Compliance — Practical Guide

DPO, DPIA, fines, 9 steps.

Sale of Inheritance — Procedure, Taxes & Risks (2026)

Art. 212 OCA: notarial signature certification, 0% income tax, buyer assumes debts.

European Certificate of Succession — When and How to Obtain It (2026)

Regulation 650/2012, EUR 13 fee, 6-month validity, 25 EU states.

Checking an Inheritance — How to Verify Assets and Debts (2026)

7 types of checks (property, vehicles, deposits, enforcement, companies, securities, NRA).

Inheritance — Order, Shares & Procedure (2026)

Tax exempt for spouse/children, 6 months.

Making a Will — Types & Requirements

Notarial vs holographic, reserved portions.

Import & Trade of Food Supplements

BFSA registration, labelling.

Registration of Tour Operator & Agent

Capital, insurance, procedure.

Transport Licence — Freight & Passenger

EU licence, Regulation 1071/2009.

AML for Gambling Operators — Compliance Guide

AMLA obligations, customer due diligence, reporting to FID.

AML for NGOs & Foundations — Requirements

Risk assessment, beneficial owners, internal rules.

AML Training Requirements — Obligations & Fines

Annual training, documentation, supervisory inspections.

Bank Loans in Bulgaria — Legal Framework

Consumer and commercial loans, early repayment, unfair clauses.

Unauthorized Payment Transactions — How to Protect Your Money from Fraud and Phishing (2026)

Art. 79 PSPSA, max liability EUR 51, 13-month deadline, action steps against phishing.

Online Gambling in Bulgaria 2026 — Licensing, Fees and Regulation

NRA regulator, capital EUR 767K, one-off fee EUR 204,517, 25% GGR tax from 2026.

Gambling Industry in Bulgaria — Complete Regulatory Overview for Foreign Operators (2026)

Land-based and online, license types, min capital EUR 767K casinos / EUR 383K slot halls.

Beneficial Owners (UBO) — Registration & Disclosure

AMLA declaration, Trade Register filing, fines for non-compliance.

FinTech Licensing in Bulgaria — EMI, PI & Art. 3a

BNB licensing, capital requirements, passporting across the EU.

Internal AML Rules — Drafting & Implementation

Risk assessment, CDD procedures, record-keeping, reporting obligations.

Operating Lease — Legal & Tax Aspects

Lessee and lessor obligations, VAT treatment, accounting standards.

Disputes & Enforcement

7 articles

Debt Collection — Order for Payment (2026)

Art. 410 and 417 CPC, bailiff.

Statute of Limitations — Periods (2026)

5 years general, 3 short, 10 absolute.

Personal Bankruptcy — Conditions & Procedure (2026)

ZNFL, application, consequences.

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Court Judgments in Bulgaria (2026)

EU: Regulation 1215/2012 no exequatur; non-EU: PILC Arts. 117-124, bilateral treaties.

Prescription of Bank Loans — When Debt Becomes Unenforceable (2026)

5 years principal, 3 years interest, new 10-year absolute prescription for individuals (since 2021).

Corporate Insolvency — Procedure & Creditor Rights

Opening petition, creditor claims, reorganisation plan, liquidation.

European Order for Payment — Cross-Border Debt Collection

Regulation 1896/2006, procedure, enforcement across EU member states.

Mediation & ADR — Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mediation Act, court-annexed mediation, arbitration, enforceability.

Renunciation of Inheritance — Procedure & Consequences

Court declaration, 3-month period, effects on creditors and other heirs.

Intellectual Property

1 article

Trademark Registration — Procedure & Fees

5 steps, national vs EU trademark.

Legal Newsletter

Monthly overview of legislative changes and practical advice.