Can I open a Bulgarian business account without visiting?

Sometimes, but treat it as the exception. Most banks want the manager present for identity and anti-money-laundering checks, especially for a foreign-owned company. Fintechs open remotely but cannot serve as the capital deposit account. Plan a visit if you can.

What is a capital deposit account?

A special account (nabiratelna smetka) used to pay in the company's share capital before it is registered. The bank issues a certificate that the Commercial Register filing needs. It is separate from your normal operating account.

Can I use Wise or Revolut for my Bulgarian company?

For operations, yes: they are great for multi-currency and transfers. For the capital deposit at registration, generally no, and relying only on a foreign account can weaken your Bulgarian substance. Use fintech alongside a Bulgarian bank, not instead of one.

Which Bulgarian bank is best for non-residents?

There is no single answer, and policies change. Line up two or three options with your accountant before travelling so one refusal does not derail you. We match you with a bank that currently onboards non-residents as part of the intake.

How long does business banking take to set up?

The capital account is a day if you are in the country, up to a couple of weeks remotely. The operating account is usually quick once the company is registered. Fintech accounts open in days.

Why is banking the slow part of forming a company?

Because the register itself is fast, but the capital deposit account depends on a bank's identity checks, which for foreigners often require an in-person visit. That is why remote formation is measured in weeks, not days. See [company formation](/company-formation).

Business banking in Bulgaria for foreigners

The honest version of opening a Bulgarian business bank account as a non-resident: the capital deposit account you need before the company exists, why banks usually want you in person, and where fintechs fit (operations, not capital).

General information, not legal or tax advice.

In person

Usually required

For onboarding

EUR 1

Capital to deposit

2 accounts

Capital + operating

Fintech

For operations

Most banks want the manager in the branch

Two accounts, not one

Company banking in Bulgaria comes in two parts. First a capital deposit account (nabiratelna smetka) to pay in the share capital before the company is registered. Then, once the company exists, a normal operating account for day-to-day business. They are different accounts, and the first is the fiddly one.

The in-person reality

A power of attorney can sometimes cover the capital account, and some banks are more flexible than others, but treat remote account opening as the exception, not the default. Do not let anyone promise you a fully remote account without qualification.

Which banks work with foreigners

Several of the large Bulgarian banks open accounts for foreign-owned companies, with varying appetite and paperwork. Rather than name a single winner (their policies change), the practical approach is to line up two or three options with your accountant before you travel, so a refusal from one does not sink the trip. We match you with a bank that currently onboards non-residents as part of the intake.

Fintech: great for operations, not for capital

Wise and Revolut are excellent for running the business: multi-currency, cheap transfers, fast cards. What they generally cannot do is act as the capital deposit account for registration, and a fully foreign account can complicate the appearance of Bulgarian substance. Use fintech for operations, use a Bulgarian bank for the capital and for local substance.

Where each account type fits
Need	Bulgarian bank	Wise / Revolut
Capital deposit for registration	Yes	No
Day-to-day operations	Yes	Yes
Local substance / appearance	Stronger	Weaker
Fully remote opening	Rare	Yes

Realistic timeline

Capital account: a day if you are in the country, up to a couple of weeks if you are coordinating remotely.
Operating account: opened after registration, usually quick once the company documents exist.
Fintech: days, done from your laptop, but not a substitute for the capital account.

Written by

Petar Georgiev

Founder, BulgariaHQ

Petar runs Kohi Solutions Ltd, a Bulgarian EOOD registered in Veliko Tarnovo (EU VAT BG206220247), and has built and shipped software products from Bulgaria through it. He writes these guides from the paperwork he has actually filed, and cites the primary source for every number. He is not an accountant or a lawyer, and says so on every page that touches tax or immigration.

Last reviewed July 23, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source. Dates show when we last verified it.

Commercial Register (capital certificate requirement)Registry Agency of Bulgaria · checked Jul 23, 2026
Bulgarian National BankBulgarian National Bank · checked Jul 23, 2026