← All Practice Areas
For International Clients

Lawyers in Bulgaria for Foreigners

English-speaking legal support for foreign founders, investors, and private clients — company formation, property, residency, crypto, and tax, coordinated by one team in Sofia.

One firm for everything a foreigner needs in Bulgaria

YARD Law Co. is a Sofia-based law firm working with foreign founders, investors, and private clients across the matters that almost always arrive together: setting up a company, buying property, residency and work authorisation, crypto and MiCA compliance, and ongoing contracts. Coordinating these areas early — commercial, immigration, and tax — is what prevents the avoidable complications we most often see when clients come to us late.

Company formation for foreign founders

Foreigners — including non-EU nationals — can own and manage Bulgarian companies with no citizenship or residency requirement. The typical structure is the OOD (LLC) with minimum capital of BGN 2, registered in 3–5 business days. Incorporation can usually be completed remotely under a power of attorney. Read the full guide: Registering a company in Bulgaria as a foreign national.

Buying real estate as a foreigner

Foreign buyers can acquire buildings and apartments; land is subject to restrictions that are commonly addressed by purchasing through a Bulgarian company. The highest-risk moment is signing a preliminary contract without legal review — the notary does not run a full legal check in your interest. We handle due diligence, title checks, and representation at completion. See Real Estate Law and our guide to property purchase in Bulgaria.

Residency and long-term stay

Long-term residency lets a non-EU national live in Bulgaria for up to a year, renewable, on grounds such as business activity, employment, freelance work, study, or retirement income. Applications are assessed individually by the Migration Directorate, and the most common rejections come from choosing the wrong legal ground — not from lacking one. Full guide: Residency in Bulgaria for non-EU citizens.

Crypto, MiCA and tax

Bulgaria taxes individual crypto gains at a flat 10% and corporate profits at 10%. For crypto businesses, MiCA licensing in Bulgaria runs through the Financial Supervision Commission. We advise on CASP licensing, token structures, and compliance, and on crypto taxation for investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Bulgarian to work with a lawyer in Bulgaria?

No. YARD Law Co. works with international clients in English. Documents filed with Bulgarian authorities must be in Bulgarian, but your lawyer prepares and explains them, and sworn translations are arranged where required.

Can a foreigner register a company in Bulgaria?

Yes. Foreigners, including nationals of countries outside the EU, can be shareholders and directors of Bulgarian companies. There is no requirement for Bulgarian citizenship or residency. The most common structure is the OOD (equivalent to an LLC), with a minimum share capital of BGN 2, and registration typically takes 3–5 business days once all documents are in order.

Do I need to be in Bulgaria to set up a company or buy property?

In most cases, company incorporation can be completed remotely through a registered representative or lawyer acting under a power of attorney. For non-EU nationals, additional requirements apply, such as document legalization and sworn translation. Property transactions can likewise be handled through a lawyer with power of attorney.

Can foreigners buy property in Bulgaria?

Yes, foreigners can buy buildings and apartments. Restrictions apply to acquiring land, which non-EU nationals typically address by purchasing through a Bulgarian company. Legal due diligence before signing a preliminary contract is strongly recommended, as the notary does not perform a full legal check in the buyer's interest.

How can a non-EU citizen get residency in Bulgaria?

Long-term residency grants a non-EU national the right to reside legally in Bulgaria for up to one year, renewable. The most frequently used grounds include conducting business through a Bulgarian company, employment, freelance activity, study, family reunification, and retirement income. Applications are assessed individually by the Migration Directorate, so choosing the correct legal ground is critical.

How is crypto taxed for foreigners and businesses in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria applies a flat 10% personal income tax on gains from the sale or exchange of crypto assets, and a 10% corporate tax where trading is conducted through a Bulgarian company. Bulgaria's National Revenue Agency has significantly intensified oversight of digital asset income, including data obtained from foreign exchanges.

This page was prepared by the legal team at YARD Law Co., a full-service law firm based in Sofia, Bulgaria, specialising in crypto law, corporate law, real estate, and cross-border legal services for international clients.

Tell us what you're planning in Bulgaria.

Company, property, residency, or crypto — describe your situation in a few sentences and a lawyer will reply in English.

Contact a lawyer →