Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the FSC decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Bulgaria.
The EU's lowest taxes - 10% flat for companies and founders alike - inside the euro zone since 1 January 2026. The Financial Supervision Commission authorises CASPs under MiCA; we build the file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Bulgaria in brief
The EU's lowest tax bill, now in euros.
Bulgaria's pitch is arithmetic: 10% flat corporate tax - the lowest in the European Union - 10% flat personal income tax, and dividend withholding at 5%. Since 1 January 2026 that arithmetic runs in euros: Bulgaria joined the euro area, removing the last currency-risk argument against basing an EU operation in Sofia. Under MiCA, the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) authorises and supervises CASPs and asset-referenced token issuers, while the Bulgarian National Bank covers e-money token issuers; the national implementing law took its time through parliament, and the EU-wide grandfathering ended on 1 July 2026, so fresh FSC authorisation is now the route in.
The operating economics compound the tax story. Sofia runs one of the EU's largest IT-outsourcing and development scenes per capita - compliance officers, developers and support teams cost a fraction of their Western European equivalents, and office space, payroll and audit follow the same curve. For a licensed CASP whose margins live on operating costs, Bulgaria is the EU's cheapest serious address, with the same 27-state passport as everyone else.
The EU's lowest taxes - 10% corporate, 10% personal, 5% dividends - now euro-native: Bulgaria joined the euro area on 1 January 2026.
The FSC authorises CASPs on the standard MiCA clock; grandfathering ended 1 July 2026, fresh applications are the route in.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services in three capital classes. The FSC authorises the exact scope you apply for, on the standard MiCA clock. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes. The FSC authorises the scope you apply for.
01 - CASP · CLASS 1-2
Core crypto services
For brokers, exchangers and custodians. Execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
For brokers, exchangers and custodians. Execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
- ✓Exchange of crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto
- ✓Execution, reception and transmission of orders
- ✓Custody and administration of client crypto-assets
- ✓Transfer services for crypto-assets
- ✓Advice and portfolio management on crypto-assets
- ✓Placing of crypto-assets
02 - CASP · CLASS 3
10% tax · euro since 2026Trading platform
The highest MiCA tier. Operation of a crypto trading venue with €150,000 minimum capital, listing rules and market-abuse controls, passportable across the EU from the Union's lowest-cost serious base.
The highest MiCA tier. A trading venue with €150,000 capital, at the EU's lowest-cost base.
- ✓Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
- ✓Matching of buyers and sellers in the venue
- ✓Admission-to-trading (listing) framework
- ✓Market-abuse monitoring under MiCA Title VI
- ✓Combines with custody and exchange services
- ✓One home authorisation - for all 27 EU states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. FSC fees are statutory; the real investment is the file and substance. Both scoped individually in your quote. EMT / stablecoin issuance runs through the BNB and is quoted separately.
Why Bulgaria
The arithmetic is the argument.
The framework is MiCA, supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission. Inside the EU's lowest-tax, lowest-cost member state, now on the euro.
✓
10% - the EU's lowest corporate tax
A flat 10% on profits, no progressive brackets, no local surcharges of consequence. The lowest headline rate in the Union, unchanged for nearly two decades and politically settled.Flat, settled since 2007.
✓
10% for founders too
Personal income tax is the same flat 10%, and dividends carry just 5% withholding. A full founder stack of roughly 14.5% from company profit to personal pocket.Full stack ~14.5% to the pocket.
✓
Euro member since 1 January 2026
Bulgaria adopted the euro - no conversion risk, euro-native banking and pricing, and one less diligence question from partners and payment providers.No conversion risk; euro-native banking.
✓
The EU's lowest operating costs
Sofia's deep IT and outsourcing scene staffs compliance, development and support at a fraction of Western European cost. The margin advantage compounds every month you operate.Sofia staffs compliance at a fraction of the west.
✓
A statutory MiCA clock
The FSC decides on the standard MiCA timeline - 25 working days to completeness, 40 to a reasoned decision. With the file quality, as everywhere, deciding the real pace.25+40 wd; shorter queues at a newer desk.
✓
The same passport as everyone
One FSC authorisation covers all 27 EU states through MiCA passporting. Identical market access to Germany's or France's licence, at Bulgarian cost.27 states. Identical access, Bulgarian cost.
How it compares
How Bulgaria differs from other routes.
Bulgaria wins on cost. Of taxes and of operations. While the desk itself is newer than the EU's veterans. The full comparison is below.
Bulgaria vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Bulgaria | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP - FSC | National regimes or veteran desks |
| Corporate tax | 10% flat - EU's lowest | 12.5-30% typical |
| Operating costs | The EU's lowest serious base | 2-4× higher in the west |
| Desk maturity | New - practice forming | Established queues elsewhere |
Regulatory regime
BulgariaMiCA CASP - FSC
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or veteran desks
Corporate tax
Bulgaria10% flat - EU's lowest
Other jurisdictions12.5-30% typical
Operating costs
BulgariaThe EU's lowest serious base
Other jurisdictions2-4× higher in the west
Desk maturity
BulgariaNew - practice forming
Other jurisdictionsEstablished queues elsewhere
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | MiCA CASP (FSC) | 10% CIT · 10% personal | New desk, lowest cost base |
 Czech Republic | MiCA CASP (ČNB) | 21% CIT | Fast, technical, predictable |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | Fast, but strict AML practice |
 Estonia | MiCA CASP (Finantsinspektsioon) | 0% retained / 22% on payout | Experienced, demanding supervisor |
BulgariaLicense typeMiCA CASP (FSC)
Taxation10% CIT · 10% personal
RequirementsNew desk, lowest cost base
Czech RepublicLicense typeMiCA CASP (ČNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsFast, technical, predictable
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsFast, but strict AML practice
EstoniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Finantsinspektsioon)
Taxation0% retained / 22% on payout
RequirementsExperienced, demanding supervisor
Before you apply
Requirements for the FSC authorisation.Requirements for FSC authorisation.
Bulgaria applies the full MiCA standard. The low taxes buy you nothing at the licensing desk. The checklist below is what a passing file contains.
01
Bulgarian entity. An OOD or AD with its registered office and effective management in Bulgaria.
02
Substance. Decision-making genuinely in the country: local management, compliance and risk on the ground.
03
Fit & proper management. Clean records and relevant experience for directors and qualifying shareholders.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or one quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Programme of operations. Services, target markets, volumes and a business plan the FSC can interrogate.
06
AML/CFT framework. MAMLA-grade KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the FIU, with a named officer.
07
ICT and DORA compliance. Resilience testing, incident reporting and the ICT third-party register.
08
Safeguarding of client assets. Segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy, key management.
09
Governance. Ownership to UBOs, qualifying holdings disclosed, conflicts and complaints procedures.
10
Wind-down plan. Credible, funded and documented.
11
For stablecoin models: the BNB's e-money track for EMT issuers - scoped separately from day one.
01
Bulgarian OOD/AD, managed from Bulgaria.
02
Local management, compliance and risk.
03
Fit & proper directors and shareholders.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Programme of operations + business plan.
06
MAMLA-grade AML, reporting to the FIU.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Ownership disclosed up to UBOs.
10
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA and FSC practice as of 2026. The EU-wide grandfathering ended 1 July 2026. Fresh authorisation is the route in.MiCA + FSC practice as of 2026. Grandfathering ended 1 Jul 2026.
How it works
From first call to the FSC register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing. With the cost model that makes Bulgaria worth it.Classes, capital, cost model - in writing.
02
Bulgarian company and substance
OOD formation, registered office, local management and governance. The presence the FSC verifies.OOD, office, local management.
03
The application file
Programme of operations, AML/CFT framework, DORA documentation, safeguarding and wind-down. Complete before filing.Programme, AML, DORA - complete first.
04
FSC review
25 working days to completeness, then a reasoned decision within 40 on the statutory clock - 6-9 months end-to-end expected. We answer every round.25+40 wd statutory; 6-9 months expected.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the FSC register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states - plus ongoing reporting we can keep running.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorFSC · BNB for EMT
FrameworkMiCA CASP
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Statutory clock25 + 40 working days
In practice6-9 months expected
Corporate tax10% flat
CurrencyEuro since 1 Jan 2026
PassportAll 27 EU states
A newer desk means fewer precedents, and shorter queues. Complete files set the pace.
On the ground in Bulgaria
Run from our Sofia office.
Prifinance - Bulgaria
Sofia · Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria
01
Bulgarian company formation
OOD incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the FSC expects. Structured for the authorisation from day one.OOD, structured for the authorisation.
02
The authorisation file
Programme of operations, AML pack and DORA documentation. Drafted by us and defended through the FSC's question rounds.Programme, AML, DORA. Defended in rounds.
03
Substance and staffing
Director and compliance recruitment from Sofia's deep talent pool, office arrangements and payroll. Real presence at Bulgarian cost.Sofia talent. Real presence, low cost.
04
Banking in euros
Account opening with Bulgarian and EU institutions. Euro-native since January 2026, structured alongside the licence.Euro-native accounts since January 2026.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Bulgaria.
No crypto-specific levies and no progressive brackets. One flat 10% for companies, one flat 10% for people, 5% on dividends. The EU's simplest serious tax system.
Corporate tax: 10% flat
The lowest headline rate in the EU, unchanged since 2007 and politically settled. Trading margins, fees and treasury gains all land in the same flat 10%.EU's lowest; unchanged since 2007.
Personal: 10% flat
Founders and staff pay the same flat 10% on income; individuals' crypto gains are taxed as ordinary income at 10%. Among the lightest personal crypto regimes in the Union.Crypto gains as income at 10%.
Dividends: 5%
Withholding on distributions is 5%. The full company-to-pocket stack lands around 14.5%, without structuring gymnastics.~14.5% full founder stack.
Euro since 1 January 2026
Accounts, capital, pricing and payroll run natively in euros - no conversion risk against your EU revenue, and one less question from banks and partners.No FX risk against EU revenue.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto ↔ fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line. The 20% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 20% only on ordinary supplies.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026. CASPs report client transactions automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporate tax10% flat
Personal income tax10% flat
Dividend withholding5%
Full founder stack~14.5%
CurrencyEuro · since 2026
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
DAC8 reportingfrom 2026
*Figures as of 2026. Social contributions apply on salaries within capped bases. We model total employment cost alongside the tax stack.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Bulgarian OOD, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, FSC-authorised business.
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Bulgaria · FSC
Launch your crypto project in Bulgaria with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to FSC authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Bulgaria the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Bulgarian crypto licence - what clients ask.
What licence does a crypto business need in Bulgaria?+
CASP authorisation from the Financial Supervision Commission under MiCA - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services aimed at the Bulgarian market. The BNB separately handles e-money token issuers.
Is the old registration regime still available?+
No. Bulgaria's pre-MiCA registration and the EU-wide grandfathering are over - the transitional period ended on 1 July 2026. Fresh FSC authorisation is the route in, and new applications are open.
How much capital is required?+
MiCA's three classes: €50,000 for advice and order services, €125,000 for exchange, execution and custody, €150,000 for a trading platform - or a quarter of annual fixed overheads if that is higher.
How long does FSC authorisation take?+
The statutory clock is 25 working days to completeness plus a reasoned decision within 40. As a newer desk the FSC has fewer precedents but also shorter queues - we expect 6-9 months end-to-end for complete files.
What substance does the FSC expect?+
A Bulgarian OOD or AD with effective management in Bulgaria: local directors, a compliance function on the ground, and systems that demonstrably run. Sofia's talent pool makes real substance genuinely affordable here.
Is the 10% tax rate real - and stable?+
Yes. The flat 10% corporate rate has held since 2007 through every government, and the flat 10% personal rate matches it. Dividends add 5% withholding - about 14.5% from company profit to founder's pocket, without structuring gymnastics.
What does euro membership change?+
Since 1 January 2026 Bulgaria is in the euro area: accounts, capital and payroll run in euros, conversion risk against EU revenue is gone, and banking diligence has one less question. The lev's currency-board era ended cleanly.
How are individuals' crypto gains taxed?+
As ordinary income at the flat 10% - among the lightest personal crypto regimes in the EU. DAC8 reporting applies from 2026, so clean records matter.
Does the Bulgarian licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one FSC authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after notification. Identical market access to any veteran desk's licence, at Bulgarian cost.
Why Bulgaria rather than another MiCA desk?+
Unit economics. Same passport, same MiCA standard - at 10% tax and the EU's lowest operating costs, with euro-native banking since 2026. If your model wins on margins rather than prestige, Bulgaria is the practical answer; if you need a veteran supervisor's stamp, we will tell you that too.
What licence is needed?+
FSC CASP authorisation under MiCA; BNB for EMT.
Old registration?+
Over - grandfathering ended 1 Jul 2026.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-9 months expected; shorter queues.
Substance?+
Bulgarian entity, local directors - affordable here.
Is 10% stable?+
Since 2007, through every government.
Euro membership?+
Yes - since 1 January 2026.
Personal crypto?+
10% as ordinary income.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Why Bulgaria?+
Same passport, lowest taxes and costs in the EU.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
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Google
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Google
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Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Bulgarian route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Financial Supervision Commission, the BNB or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.