Case studies from our files

Problem

Three partners living in different countries wanted a Bulgarian company, and did not want to travel here to form it.

What we did

Our team drew up the incorporation papers, had the company entered in the Commercial Register under a power of attorney, and helped open the bank account remotely.

Outcome

• No one had to be in Bulgaria to register the company
• A business bank account was opened
• Business activity began as planned

Problem

A foreign investor wanted an extended residence permit, relying on an investment made in a Bulgarian company.

What we did

First we worked out which legal ground applied. Then we assembled the complete document set and acted for the client before the competent authorities.

Outcome

• The residence permit was granted
• The position of the family members was settled
• Renewal now has a clear plan

Problem

A client with long-standing residence in Bulgaria sought to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation.

What we did

Our first step was to check that the statutory conditions were satisfied. We then prepared and filed the application and stayed with the client for the whole procedure.

Outcome

• The application was filed complete and in correct form
• The procedure was followed until it ended
• Delays on the file were kept to a minimum

Problem

A buyer from abroad planned to purchase a property in Sofia and had to be sure that no encumbrances weighed on the deal.

What we did

We examined the property and the seller in full, wrote both the preliminary and the final contract, and helped complete the transaction.

Outcome

• No legal encumbrances or risks attached to the deal
• The buyer's interests were safeguarded
• Title passed on schedule

Problem

The National Revenue Agency issued a company with a tax audit act that added liabilities and imposed penalties.

What we did

We studied the act, drew up a reasoned appeal backed by evidence and acted for the client at every stage of the proceedings.

Outcome

• The assessed liabilities were cut
• The penalties imposed fell away
• The company's tax position became clear for the future

Problem

A Bulgarian company with foreign participation wanted a long-term lease of an industrial property held by a state enterprise, offered through a public tender with open bidding.

What we did

We put together the complete tender documents and drew up a power of attorney so that we could act for the manager. At the auction we attended as attorneys and bid in his name, for the company's account. After the bid succeeded, we drafted a lease agreement for 3 years and a handover protocol for passing possession. Afterwards we helped bring the premises into line with fire safety requirements and prepared the documents on safe working conditions.

Outcome

• The tender was won and a lease agreement for 3 years signed
• Possession of the industrial property passed under a formal handover protocol
• The premises now meet fire safety regulations
• The documentation on safe working conditions was completed

Problem

A defence industry company operating in Bulgaria needed key specialist engineers for its production: two from Ukraine and one from Russia.

What we did

We ran the EU Blue Card procedure for all three. The work covered the documents, a check of the qualification requirements and representation before the competent authorities.

Outcome

• Three EU Blue Cards were issued
• The two Ukrainian specialists and the Russian specialist received combined residence and work permits
• The company obtained the key engineering staff its operations required

Problem

Russian nationals had lived in Bulgaria since 2023 as pensioners, relying on pension income, but could not move their pension from Russia to Bulgaria. Their residence permits were due to expire in 4 days, so the basis for residence had to be changed at once.

What we did

In 4 days we assembled the full documentation to move the residence basis from pensioners to real estate investors and filed it with the Migration Directorate. Once that procedure had been completed successfully, we started family reunification proceedings.

Outcome

• The residence basis was changed from pensioners to real estate investors
• A new residence permit was issued while the earlier status was still valid
• The family reunification procedure was completed successfully

Problem

A client who was selling a business in France planned to move to Bulgaria with the whole family. The client needed full legal and tax advice on tax residency, restructuring of the holding, buying property and securing residence status.

What we did

Our legal opinion dealt with the client's status as a Bulgarian tax resident, the extent of Bulgarian taxation and the benefits of distributing dividends between EU companies. We set up a Bulgarian company and transferred the shares of the French holding to it as a contribution in kind. When the family moved, we helped the company buy an apartment and obtained residence permits for the client and family members.

Outcome

• A legal opinion on tax residency status and the best corporate structure was prepared
• A Bulgarian company was incorporated and the shares of the French holding contributed to it in kind
• The apartment was bought through the Bulgarian company
• Residence permits were obtained for the client and every family member

Problem

The Migration Directorate had granted our client a family reunification permit, and it was valid. The Bulgarian Consulate in Istanbul nevertheless declined to issue the Type D visa needed to enter Bulgaria.

What we did

Our appeal against the refusal went to the Sofia Administrative Court. We argued that, with a valid family reunification permit in place, the consulate had no discretion to refuse the visa.

Outcome

• The Sofia Administrative Court annulled the Type D visa refusal
• The Consulate in Istanbul was given mandatory instructions to issue the Type D visa

Problem

Under Art. 24i of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, our client applied for an extended residence and work permit. The Migration Directorate refused, holding that the criminal record certificates submitted were invalid and did not reflect real facts and circumstances.

What we did

Our appeal to the Sofia Administrative Court attacked the refusal on both legal and factual grounds. Once our position had been confirmed, we lodged a cassation appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court.

Outcome

• The Sofia Administrative Court declared the refusal unlawful
• The Supreme Administrative Court upheld that decision
• The Migration Directorate received mandatory instructions to grant the residence and work permit

Problem

Our client had signed a brokerage agreement that let the broker keep the deposit paid, as a contractual penalty, if the client did not in the end sign a final sale and purchase contract for the chosen property. When we reviewed the agreement, we found the clause unfair within the meaning of the Consumer Protection Act. It set a disproportionate sanction on the consumer alone, with no matching obligation on the broker if the broker failed to perform.

What we did

We wrote to the broker that the clause breached the Consumer Protection Act and was therefore void, so nothing justified keeping the deposit. We added that if the broker would not return the money we would have to sue, which would cost the broker additional court costs. To back the client's position we cited court practice from materially identical cases between consumers and property brokers.

Outcome

• The client and the broker reached a settlement out of court
• The deposit paid was returned in full
• Court proceedings were avoided, along with their costs and delays

Problem

A client in staff recruitment wanted to add help with hiring employees in Bulgaria to its services. Bulgarian law makes registration as a labour intermediary a condition for that activity.

What we did

We assembled all the documents needed for registration with the Employment Agency, saw to the statutory requirements and acted for the client in the whole administrative procedure, until the company was entered into the register of labour intermediaries.

Outcome

• The company is registered as a licensed labour intermediary
• The client may now lawfully help others hire employees in Bulgaria
• The client's activity fully meets the regulatory requirements