Licenses and permits issue assistance

Obtaining the right licenses and permits is one of the most critical — and often most overlooked — steps when starting or expanding a business in Bulgaria. Regulatory requirements vary significantly by industry, business structure, and the nationality of the owners or employees involved. Missed permits can result in fines, forced closure, or personal liability for company directors.

Our team provides complete assistance with identifying, preparing, and submitting all required license and permit applications to the relevant Bulgarian authorities — so you can focus on running your business.

What Licenses & Permits Does Bulgaria Require?

Bulgarian law distinguishes between general commercial registration and sector-specific licensing. Most businesses require at least one of the following permit categories to legally operate in Bulgaria.

🏛 Commercial Registration All companies must register with the Bulgarian Commercial Register (BRRA). This is the foundational step for any legal business entity — OOD, EOOD, AD, or sole trader.

🏪 Trade & Municipal Permits Retail outlets, restaurants, and service businesses require permits from the local municipality, including health & safety certificates and operational approvals.

💼 Work & Residence Permits Non-EU employees and investors need a combined work and residence permit (Type D visa + long-stay permit) or an EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers.

🏦 Financial Services License Banks, payment institutions, insurance, investment firms, and lending companies are licensed by the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) or the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

🍽 Food & Hospitality Food producers, restaurants, and hotels require sanitary approvals from BFSA (Bulgarian Food Safety Agency) and tourism registration with the Ministry of Tourism.

⚕️ Healthcare & Pharmacy Medical practices, pharmacies, and diagnostic laboratories must be licensed by the Ministry of Health and relevant professional bodies such as the Bulgarian Medical Association.

🚚 Transport & Logistics Road freight and passenger carriers need licenses from the Executive Agency “Road Infrastructure” and must meet EU carrier qualification requirements.

⚡ Energy & Construction Power generation, renewable energy, and construction activities are regulated by KEVR (Energy and Water Regulatory Commission) and the Ministry of Regional Development.

How We Assist You

We manage the entire licensing process on your behalf — from initial assessment to final issuance.

License & Permit Audit — We review your planned activities and identify every authorization required under Bulgarian and EU law, so nothing is missed.

Document Preparation — We prepare, review, and notarize all application documents, handle certified translations, and manage apostille requirements for foreign-issued documents.

Authority Submissions — We file directly with BRRA, BNB, FSC, BFSA, ministries, and municipal offices, tracking your application at every stage.

Objection & Appeal Handling — If an authority raises objections or issues a refusal, we respond on your behalf and, where necessary, file an administrative appeal within the statutory 14-day deadline.

Renewals & Ongoing Compliance — We track expiry dates, manage annual filings, and keep you informed of any regulatory changes affecting your licenses.

Typical Processing Times

Who This Service Is For

This service is designed for foreign investors and entrepreneurs entering the Bulgarian market, existing businesses expanding into new regulated sectors, non-EU nationals requiring work and residence authorization, and international companies establishing a local branch or subsidiary in Bulgaria.