---
title: "Opening a Commercial Representation in Bulgaria: BCCI, Documents, Steps (2026)"
url: https://yeniversiyon.pages.dev/en/opening-a-commercial-representation-in-bulgaria/
lang: en
published: 2026-10-02
description: "How to open a commercial representation in Bulgaria: BCCI register entry, apostilled documents, BULSTAT, office lease and obligations after registration."
source: BulgaristanVatandas.com (https://bulgaristanvatandas.com)
---
# Opening a Commercial Representation in Bulgaria: BCCI, Documents, Steps (2026)
**To open a commercial representation in Bulgaria, your foreign company is entered in the register of commercial representations kept by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The parent company's documents must carry an apostille, have a Bulgarian translation and be issued within the last 6 months. You also need an office lease in Bulgaria of at least 1 year. After registration you receive a BULSTAT number and the representation can start work.**
## What is the difference between a representation, a branch and a company?
These three structures are often confused. The difference decides what you can do and where you register.
| | Commercial representation | Branch | Bulgarian company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Part of the parent company, not a separate legal entity | Part of the parent company, not a separate legal entity | Separate legal entity set up in Bulgaria |
| Register | BCCI register of commercial representations | Bulgarian Commercial Register | Bulgarian Commercial Register |
| Commercial activity (sales, invoices) | Not allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Main purpose | Promotion, market research, business contacts | Carrying out the parent company's business in Bulgaria | Independent trade |
| Setup burden | Lighter | Heavier | Heavier |
If you will only promote and develop business, a representation is enough. If you will sell and issue invoices in Bulgaria, you need a branch or a company. For which one suits a residence permit, see [representation or company](/en/representation-or-company-bulgaria-residence/).
## Who can open a representation?
You need an active company registered abroad. If you are opening it to obtain a residence permit, the parent company must also meet the turnover and tax conditions. For all of them, see [residence permit through commercial representation](/en/residence-permit-through-commercial-representation/).
## Required documents
The documents come from the country of the parent company. The common rule: all must carry an **apostille**, have a **sworn Bulgarian translation** and be **issued within the last 6 months**.
- Trade register extract of the parent company (current certificate of activity),
- Articles of association of the parent company,
- Board decision to open the representation,
- Decision appointing the representative and power of attorney,
- Copy of the representative's passport,
- Lease or use agreement for the office in Bulgaria and the owner's documents,
- Application form and proof of fee payment.
An apostille is the international certification that a document is official. Get the apostille first, then the translation. If the order is reversed, the document may be rejected.
> The 6-month period is counted from the day of application. If you wait long after getting the apostille, you may have to renew the documents.
## Step-by-step: opening the representation
1. **Collect the parent company documents.** Register extract, decisions and power of attorney are prepared.
2. **Get the apostille and translation.** Documents are apostilled and then translated into Bulgarian. Our [translation service](/en/services/translation/) can help at this stage.
3. **Rent an office in Bulgaria.** Sign a lease of at least 1 year. Check beforehand how virtual offices or shared addresses are treated in practice.
4. **Apply to the BCCI.** The file is submitted to the BCCI register of commercial representations. The chamber reviews the documents and asks for missing items.
5. **Register entry and BULSTAT.** Once registered, the representation is entered in BULSTAT (Bulgaria's identification number for legal units). The number is needed for tax, banking and official procedures.
6. **Appoint the representative.** If you plan a residence permit, the next step is the type D visa. See [documents for the type D visa of a representative](/en/type-d-visa-for-commercial-representatives/).
## What is BULSTAT?
BULSTAT is the registration number given in Bulgaria to companies, associations and similar units. It is used to open bank accounts, sign contracts and deal with the tax office. A representation also needs its own BULSTAT entry.
## Obligations after registration
Once registered, a representation is not a structure you can set up and forget. Pay attention to:
- Keeping the register data (representative, address, parent company details) up to date and reporting changes,
- Keeping the office lease uninterrupted,
- The parent company's continued tax compliance,
- Regular accounting and reporting,
- Insurance and payroll obligations if staff are employed in Bulgaria.
For details see [costs and obligations of a commercial representation](/en/commercial-representation-costs-and-obligations/).
## Common mistakes
- Documents older than 6 months,
- Translation done before the apostille,
- Office lease shorter than 1 year,
- Planning to sell through the representation. A representation cannot carry out commercial activity.
## Let us prepare your file with you
We can handle the document list, apostille and translation, BCCI and BULSTAT registration and the residence process in one place. See our [Bulgaria residence permit](/en/services/residence-permit/) page. To learn where your company stands, send your documents for a [free document review](/en/document-review/) or book an [online appointment](/en/online-appointment/).
## Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Bulgarian partner to open a representation?
No. A representation is not a separate company but a unit of the foreign parent company, so no Bulgarian partner is required. The parent company's documents and an office lease are enough.
How long does the registration take?
It depends on how complete the file is and on the apostille and translation stages. We do not promise a fixed number of days; a complete file shortens the process.
Why must documents be issued within the last 6 months?
Bulgarian institutions do not accept older documents because they may not reflect the current situation. That is why documents such as the register extract are obtained close to the application date.
Can I issue invoices in Bulgaria through the representation?
No. A commercial representation cannot sell or issue invoices. For that you need a branch or a company in Bulgaria.
Why must the office lease be at least 1 year?
For a residence permit, the representation is expected to have a real and lasting address in Bulgaria. That is why a lease of at least 1 year is required.