From Musician to Entrepreneur

Francesco didn’t move to Bulgaria for economic reasons but out of love. His partner, a ballet dancer, was offered a position at the National Opera in Sofia. In Italy, it had become increasingly difficult for many creatives to make a living. So, Francesco decided to take the leap – and found a Master’s program in film music in Sofia that perfectly matched his vision.

This step opened unexpected doors. Soon after, he discovered opportunities in the booming gaming and online casino industries. With his dual expertise – composition and sound design – Francesco was able to carve out a niche for himself.

Starting a Business in Bulgaria – Easier Than Expected

The next step was clear: turn passion into a company. Francesco decided to register an EOOD (the Bulgarian equivalent of a limited liability company). With legal guidance, the entire process was completed within just one week – something that would have taken much longer in Italy.

Opening a business bank account also turned out smoother than expected. With an English-speaking bank, Francesco found low fees and easy-to-use online invoicing platforms that made his financial processes efficient.

Advantages and Challenges

How does Francesco see the decision to start a business in Bulgaria?

Advantages:

• Low taxes: A flat corporate tax of 10% offers financial flexibility.
• Affordable living costs: Both living and operating expenses are significantly lower than in Italy.
• Market opportunities: Niche industries like film music and gaming are growing and open to newcomers.

Challenges:

• Language barrier: Bureaucracy is still difficult without Bulgarian.
• Limited funding: Compared to countries like Germany, Italy, or the US, state funding and investor networks are less developed.

Composing the Future

For Francesco, Bulgaria is the perfect place to build his creative career. With a new website and plans to expand his team, he aims to win bigger projects in Bulgaria and internationally.

His story shows: those who are willing to take risks and adapt can transform their creative passion into a sustainable business in Bulgaria.

This is just a glimpse into Francesco’s inspiring journey. You can read his full story and many more in the book “Start in Bulgaria – How to open a company in Bulgaria?”

Want more inspiring stories? Explore the experiences of other entrepreneurs in Bulgaria and check out our overview post on how to start a business here—packed with tips, insights, and real success stories.

The post Francesco’s Encore: Building a Creative Business in Bulgaria appeared first in Start in Bulgaria.

How to Organize Interviews with Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria

It must have been around April 2024 when, as part of the research for the book “Start in Bulgaria”, I began to wonder what advantages other entrepreneurs saw in founding a company in Bulgaria. I would have loved to exchange ideas with some of them, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences. Of course, I knew several Bulgarian founders, but foreign entrepreneurs in particular likely have their own unique perspective on the pros and cons of starting a business in Bulgaria.

While searching for exactly these kinds of entrepreneurs, a Facebook group called “Foreigners in Sofia & Friends” came to the rescue. In response to a post where I asked for entrepreneurs willing to share their stories about founding a business in Bulgaria, several people got back to me, and over the course of the year, I was able to conduct several super exciting interviews.

Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria: Interviews

The full interviews can be read in our book “Start in Bulgaria”. At this point, I’d like to thank all interviewees and list them here again. I will also introduce them in more detail in upcoming blog posts.

You also have a company in Bulgaria and would like to introduce it to the Start in BG community? Then write to us and introduce yourself!

The post Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria: Success stories appeared first in Start in Bulgaria.

It is available at https://portal.registryagency.bg/en/

This website is the digital heart of many bureaucratic and legal processes in Bulgaria and offers a wide range of services to both citizens and entrepreneurs.

What is the purpose of the Registry Agency’s website in Bulgaria?

The portal serves as a central platform for the management and access of state registers, especially:

• the Commercial Register
• the Register of Non-Profit Legal Entities
• the Property Register
• the central Register of Pledges

It is aimed not only at domestic users but also at foreign founders, investors, and companies that are or plan to become active in Bulgaria – people like you.

What services does the Registry Agency in Bulgaria offer?

The portal combines a wide range of functions and enables both registration and research in various areas. These include, among others:

• Company formation
• Submission of annual financial statements
• Registration or modification of association data
• Property register entries
• Pledge register entries for movable assets
• Public search for companies, individuals, properties, or register entries
• Ordering of documents and official certificates
• Electronic authentication
• Access to forms, templates, and fee calculators

In which languages is the portal available?

The online portal is currently available in two languages:

• Bulgarian (administration’s standard language)
• English (for international users)

Although some detailed pages and functions (e.g., specific forms or instructions) are only available in Bulgarian, the English version provides a solid foundation for orientation and access to many of the services.

In future blog posts, we’ll take a closer look at individual functions of this portal. If you have a question, feel free to send it to us via our contact form.

The post The Bulgarian Registry Agency: An Overview appeared first in Start in Bulgaria.