Europe · FSC · MiCA CASP · EU-passportable
Bulgaria Crypto Licence
The EU's most cost-effective serious crypto licence. Bulgaria's Financial Supervision Commission runs a fast statutory clock — 40 working days to assess a complete file — at the lowest state fees in the union, while still delivering a full MiCA CASP authorisation passportable across all 27 member states. Lean setup, low tax, real EU standing. Vantegris builds the FSC file, the AML and DORA framework, and the banking.
overview
What is the Bulgaria crypto licence?
Bulgaria has positioned itself as the value option for a full EU crypto licence. The Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) is the competent authority for Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under MiCA (with the Bulgarian National Bank handling e-money-token prudential matters), and it runs a notably efficient statutory process — 40 working days to assess a complete application, with a reasoned decision issued shortly after. Bulgaria issued its first MiCA licence in April 2026 and is now an operational regime.
The economics are the draw. State application fees are the lowest of any EU regulator — €2,556, €5,113 and €15,339 for Class 1, 2 and 3 respectively — and Bulgaria's flat 10% corporate tax is among the lowest in the union. You still meet the full MiCA substance: a Bulgarian company with local presence, qualified management, an AML officer, initial capital of €50,000 to €150,000 by class, and a DORA-compliant ICT programme. The transitional window for legacy VASPs closed on 1 July 2026, so new entrants apply directly. For teams that want genuine EU passporting without EU-heavyweight running costs, Bulgaria is hard to beat.
advantages
Why operators pick Bulgaria
Serve every EU/EEA market from one FSC authorisation under MiCA Article 65.
The lowest official application fees in the EU and a 10% flat corporate tax.
A defined 40-working-day statutory assessment keeps the timeline predictable.
Bulgaria issued its first MiCA licence in April 2026 — a live, working authority.
A genuine EU credential respected by banks, PSPs and partners.
head to head
Bulgaria vs. Lithuania (CASP)
| Criteria | Bulgaria | Lithuania |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | FSC | Bank of Lithuania |
| State fees | €2,556–€15,339 (lowest) | Higher |
| Corporate tax | 10% flat | 15% (5% reduced band) |
| Statutory review | 40 working days | 3–6 months typical |
| Passporting | EU-27 by notification | EU-27 by notification |
| Edge | Lowest cost, low tax | Deepest ecosystem, brand |
who it's for
Who the Bulgaria crypto licence suits
requirements
Bulgaria crypto licence requirements
step by step
How to get a Bulgaria crypto licence
- Scope & class Fix the CASP service classes, the capital tier and the governance and substance plan. 1–2 weeks
- Company & capital Incorporate the Bulgarian company, fund capital and put the local office and roles in place. 3–5 weeks
- Build the file Draft the programme of operations, AML/CFT, DORA and safeguarding policies to FSC standard. 4–8 weeks
- Application & review File with the FSC; the statutory assessment of a complete file runs 40 working days. 2–4 months
- Passport & launch Notify host states for EU passporting, finish banking onboarding and go live. On approval
Not sure Bulgaria is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Bulgaria or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
pricing
How much does a Bulgaria crypto licence cost?
- Bulgarian company incorporation
- CASP application to the FSC
- Programme of operations & core policies
- Regulator liaison to authorisation
- Everything in Licence
- Full AML/CFT & MLRO framework
- DORA ICT resilience programme
- Capital arrangement & substance setup
- Everything in Turnkey
- Crypto-friendly banking & PSP introductions
- EU passport notifications
- Ongoing compliance & reporting support
Bulgaria's official fees are the lowest in the EU (€2,556–€15,339 by class), and corporate tax is a flat 10%. The real commitments remain the class-based initial capital, local substance and the AML/DORA programme. We model the full, low-cost economics against your service classes before you commit.
obligations
Compliance obligations in Bulgaria
technical standards
Technical & IT standards in Bulgaria
after launch
After you go live in Bulgaria
market access
Which markets a Bulgaria licence reaches
A CASP licence passports across the EU/EEA by notification, but you still follow each market's local rules and geo-block jurisdictions you are not authorised in — plus the United States, sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Bulgaria crypto licence FAQ
Why is Bulgaria cheaper than other EU crypto jurisdictions?
Bulgaria sets the lowest official CASP application fees in the EU — €2,556 (Class 1), €5,113 (Class 2) and €15,339 (Class 3) — and levies a flat 10% corporate tax, among the lowest in the union. You still get the same full MiCA licence and EU passporting as any other member state.
How long does the Bulgarian crypto licence take?
The FSC has a statutory 40 working days to assess a complete application (the clock pauses if it identifies deficiencies), with a reasoned decision issued shortly after. With preparation, plan roughly two to four months.
How much capital do I need?
The MiCA tiers apply: €50,000 (Class 1), €125,000 (Class 2 — custody/exchange) and €150,000 (Class 3 — trading platform). Capital sits in an EEA account as working capital.
Is Bulgaria's regime actually operational?
Yes. Bulgaria adopted the full 18-month grandfathering to 1 July 2026 and issued its first MiCA licence in April 2026 — it is a live, working authority, not a theoretical one.
Does a Bulgarian CASP work across the EU?
Yes. It is a full MiCA authorisation and passports into all 27 member states on a notification basis — a low-cost base with full single-market reach.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team · Last updated July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
Free consultation
Start your Bulgaria file.
Applied, approved and live across every vertical. Free, confidential, no obligation — most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.