Glossary of Bulgarian legal terms
The words you will meet in Bulgarian contracts, registers and offices, explained in plain language, with the original Bulgarian term and a link to the guide that goes further.
Sections
Companies and business
- Beneficial owner действителен собственик
The individual who ultimately owns or controls a company, usually by holding more than 25% of the shares or votes. Companies must declare their beneficial owners in the Commercial Register.
- Branch клон
A registered branch of a foreign company. It can do business in Bulgaria but is not a separate legal entity, so the foreign company is liable for its obligations.
More: Branch or Subsidiary? How a Foreign Company Sets Up in Bulgaria- BULSTAT БУЛСТАТ
A register kept by the Registry Agency for organisations and people that are not in the Commercial Register but have tax or social-security obligations, such as representative offices, foundations and self-employed professionals.
- Commercial Register Търговски регистър
The public register of companies and branches, kept by the Registry Agency. Incorporations, changes of owners or managers and annual accounts are filed there, and anyone can search it online for free.
More: Official registers- EOOD ЕООД
A limited liability company with a single owner, which can be a person or a company. It works like an OOD, but the sole owner takes the decisions that a partners’ meeting would.
More: Setting Up a Bulgarian Limited Company (OOD/EOOD) in 2026- Manager управител
The person who runs and legally represents an OOD or EOOD, appointed by the owners. The manager can be a foreign national and does not have to live in Bulgaria.
More: Setting Up a Bulgarian Limited Company (OOD/EOOD) in 2026- OOD ООД
The standard Bulgarian limited liability company, owned by two or more partners. The minimum capital is EUR 1, and the partners are not personally liable for the company’s debts.
More: Setting Up a Bulgarian Limited Company (OOD/EOOD) in 2026- Trade representative office търговско представителство
An office through which a foreign company presents and promotes itself in Bulgaria without trading there. It is registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in BULSTAT.
More: Residence Through a Trade Representative Office — How the Route Works- UIC (EIK) ЕИК
Unified identification code: the nine-digit number a company receives on registration. It identifies the company in contracts, with banks and with the tax authority.
Tax and accounting
- Annual financial statements годишен финансов отчет (ГФО)
The yearly accounts every company must prepare and file for publication in the Commercial Register. A company that did no business during the year files a short declaration instead.
- Corporate income tax корпоративен данък
Tax on company profits at a flat 10%, one of the lowest rates in the EU. The annual return is due by 30 June of the following year.
More: Tax Advisory & Disputes- Dividend tax данък върху дивидентите
A 5% tax the company withholds when it pays dividends to individuals and to most foreign shareholders. Payments to Bulgarian companies, and usually to parent companies in other EU or EEA states, are exempt.
More: Taking Profits Out of a Bulgarian Company — Dividends, Salary and the Rules in Between- Double tax treaty СИДДО
An agreement between Bulgaria and another country that decides which of them taxes a given income, so that it is not taxed twice. Bulgaria has treaties with most European countries and many others.
More: Becoming Tax Resident in Bulgaria — the Rules That Decide Where You Pay- NRA НАП
The National Revenue Agency, which collects taxes and social-security contributions. Companies and individuals file their returns with it, mostly online.
More: Tax Advisory & Disputes- Personal income tax данък върху доходите на физическите лица
Individuals pay a flat 10% on most income, including salaries, freelance earnings and rent.
More: Becoming Tax Resident in Bulgaria — the Rules That Decide Where You Pay- VAT (DDS) ДДС
Value added tax, charged at a standard rate of 20%. Registration becomes mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds EUR 51,130 in a calendar year, and is possible voluntarily below that.
More: VAT Registration in Bulgaria — When It Becomes Mandatory and What Follows
Property
- Cadastral identifier кадастрален идентификатор
The unique number of a plot, building or apartment on the cadastral map kept by the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency. Deeds and powers of attorney identify a property by it.
More: Checking a Property Before You Buy — What a Title Review Covers- Encumbrance certificate удостоверение за тежести
A certificate from the Registry Agency listing the mortgages, liens, claims and other entries registered against a property or its owner.
More: Checking a Property Before You Buy — What a Title Review Covers- Local transfer tax местен данък при придобиване на имущество
A tax on acquiring property, set by each municipality at between 0.1% and 3% of the price or the tax assessment, whichever is higher. The buyer usually pays it.
More: What Foreign Buyers Can — and Cannot — Own in Bulgaria- Notary нотариус
A public official who certifies transactions and signatures. A sale of property in Bulgaria must be signed before a notary in the district where the property is located.
More: What Foreign Buyers Can — and Cannot — Own in Bulgaria- Notary deed нотариален акт
The deed that transfers ownership of a property, and the owner’s main title document. It is entered in the Property Register after signing.
More: Checking a Property Before You Buy — What a Title Review Covers- Preliminary contract предварителен договор
The contract in which buyer and seller fix the price, the deposit and the date for signing the notary deed. If one side refuses to complete, the other can ask a court to declare the contract final.
More: Checking a Property Before You Buy — What a Title Review Covers- Property Register Имотен регистър
The public register of deeds, mortgages, claims and other entries affecting property, kept by the Registry Agency. It is checked before every purchase.
More: Checking a Property Before You Buy — What a Title Review Covers- Tax assessment данъчна оценка
The value of a property as calculated by the municipality. It is the minimum base for the transfer tax and notary fees, and a certificate of it is needed for every sale.
More: Selling Your Bulgarian Property When You Live Abroad
Residence and citizenship
- EGN ЕГН
Unified civil number: the ten-digit personal identification number of Bulgarian citizens. Foreign residents receive an LNCh instead.
- EU Blue Card синя карта на ЕС
A residence and work permit for highly qualified employees earning at least 1.5 times the national average gross salary. It brings easier family reunification and mobility within the EU.
More: The EU Blue Card in Bulgaria — the Fast Lane for Skilled Professionals- LNCh ЛНЧ
Personal number of a foreigner: a ten-digit number assigned with a residence permit. Banks, employers and the tax authority use it in place of the EGN.
- Long-term residence продължително пребиваване
Residence granted on a specific ground, such as work, business, property or family, usually for up to a year at a time and renewed while the ground continues.
More: Moving to Bulgaria from Outside the EU — An Overview of Residence Options- Migration Directorate Дирекция „Миграция“
The Ministry of Interior directorate that decides on residence for foreigners, with local migration offices in the regional police directorates.
More: Immigration, Residence & Citizenship- Permanent residence постоянно пребиваване
Residence with no expiry date, available after five years of lawful residence or directly through qualifying investments. It gives rights close to those of Bulgarian citizens.
More: Moving to Bulgaria from Outside the EU — An Overview of Residence Options- Single permit единно разрешение за пребиваване и работа
A combined residence and work permit for a non-EU national hired by a Bulgarian employer, issued after the Employment Agency approves the position.
More: Hiring a Non-EU Worker in Bulgaria — the Single Permit for Employers and Candidates- Type D visa виза тип D
A long-stay visa issued by a Bulgarian consulate. Most long-term residence grounds require you to enter Bulgaria with one before applying for the permit.
More: Moving to Bulgaria from Outside the EU — An Overview of Residence Options
Documents and courts
- Apostille апостил
A certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention that confirms a public document from one member country for use in another. Documents from countries outside the convention need consular legalisation instead.
More: Powers of Attorney Signed Abroad for Use in Bulgaria- Attorney (advokat) адвокат
A lawyer admitted to a Bulgarian Bar Association. Under the Bar Act, giving legal advice and representing clients in court as a profession is reserved for attorneys.
More: The firm- Certified translation легализиран превод
A translation into Bulgarian made by a translation agency authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bulgarian authorities accept most foreign documents only with one.
More: Powers of Attorney Signed Abroad for Use in Bulgaria- Order for payment заповед за изпълнение
A fast court order for a money claim, issued on the papers without a hearing. If the debtor does not object within two weeks of service, it becomes enforceable.
More: Recovering a Debt from a Bulgarian Company — Options for Foreign Creditors- Power of attorney пълномощно
A document authorising someone to act for you. For property and company matters the signature must be notarised, and a power signed abroad needs an apostille or legalisation and a certified translation.
More: Powers of Attorney Signed Abroad for Use in Bulgaria- Private enforcement agent частен съдебен изпълнител (ЧСИ)
A licensed officer who enforces judgments and orders for payment, for example by seizing bank accounts, salaries and property, once the creditor holds a writ of execution.
More: Recovering a Debt from a Bulgarian Company — Options for Foreign Creditors- Writ of execution изпълнителен лист
The court document that allows a judgment or an order for payment to be enforced by an enforcement agent.
More: Recovering a Debt from a Bulgarian Company — Options for Foreign Creditors
Definitions are simplified for orientation. Rules have exceptions, so ask us before relying on one for a decision.
Meridian Business Law
Tell us where you want to get to.
Describe your situation in a few lines. We reply with a candid view of the options, timing and what we would need from you.
Contributions for pension, sickness, unemployment and health insurance, paid on salaries and on self-employed income. On a salary they come to roughly a third of gross pay, split between employer and employee, up to a monthly maximum.
More: Hiring Your First Employee in Bulgaria — What the Company Must Do