Issuance of certificate for tour operator or agent activity. State fees, consultant prices. Budget.

What this video covers

  • Official registration fees for entry in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents and issuance of the registration certificate
  • When each fee is paid: application stage vs. certificate issuance
  • Typical consultant and legal support prices for document preparation and submission
  • Mandatory documents: liability insurance, proof of premises, financial guarantees where applicable
  • Practical tips to speed up approval and avoid common mistakes
  • Realistic timeline from application to receiving the registration certificate

Who this is for, for a professional support Company incorporation in Bulgaria – Accounting Services in Bulgaria

  • New tour operators and travel agencies launching in Bulgaria
  • Existing travel businesses expanding services or adding activities
  • Consultants, accountants, and legal advisors working with tourism businesses
  • Entrepreneurs comparing costs and timelines for licensing

What are the requirements for registering a travel company and issuing a license for a tour operator and travel agent?

The procedure for registration of a travel company and the issuance of a license for a tour operator and travel agent in Bulgaria is strictly regulated, in order to protect and guarantee the security and rights of consumers, as stated in Art. 61 of the Tourism Act. IN Elan Consulting, we understand the importance of these regulations and are focused on providing comprehensive support to our customers through this process.

According to the legislation, in order to carry out travel agency or tour operatoron the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, it is necessary for the person to be registered under the law. The main requirements are:

  • The person who will carry out the tour operator/agency activity should be a trader within the meaning of the Commercial Law or a legal person who has the right under another law to carry out business activities, including under the legislation of another Member State of the European Union, a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation – that is, it can be all Bulgarian companies, companies registered in EU Member States and others
  • The tour operator or travel agent has a premises and/or an online platform to carry out the activity, staff with the required education and language qualifications, and for the management staff, experience is also required;
  • The tour operator/travel agent has a valid insurance, “Professional Liability of the Tour Operator” covering its liability for damages caused as a result of non-payment with its counterparties, including in the event of insolvency and bankruptcy;
  • The legal entity is not declared bankrupt and is not in bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings;
  • The legal person shall not be liable for taxes and compulsory social security contributions, including interest thereon, established by an act which has entered into force, except where the competent authority has allowed deferral or deferral of the obligations.

State Fees

State fees are divided into two stages and are regulated by the Tariff for Fees Collected under the Tourism Act:

1. Fee for reviewing the application:

  • Travel agent activity: EUR 256
  • Tour operator activity: EUR 256
  • Combined (Tour Operator & Travel Agent): EUR 517
    (Note: This is paid upon filing the application-declaration.)

2. Fee for entry into the register and issuance of the certificate:

  • Travel agent activity: EUR 760
  • Tour operator activity: EUR 1,513
  • Combined (Tour Operator & Travel Agent): EUR 2,260
    (Note: This is paid upon receiving the approved certificate.)

Consultant / Legal Service Prices

f you decide to use specialized accounting or legal consultants to prepare your documents, manage the correspondence, and handle the application process, the market rates in Bulgaria typically range as follows:

  • Preparation & Registration: Usually between EUR 153 and EUR 405, depending on the complexity of your company’s structure and the specific services bundled.
  • Monthly Accounting: Averages between EUR 52 and EUR 127 for basic agency/operator accounting without international employees, scaling higher based on volume.

Additional Essential Requirements

To be successfully registered, a tour operator must also obtain and submit proof of a mandatory Professional Liability Insurance contract (Застраховка “Професионална отговорност”). The cost of this insurance varies based on your anticipated annual turnover and the type of tour operations you will be running.

The Ministry of Tourism processes and decides on application-declarations within two months from submission

A tour operator license is an official document that legally authorizes an organization or individual to create, organize, and sell travel packages to the public.

It ensures compliance with consumer protection laws and safety standards.Licensing and registration requirements vary heavily by location, but the process generally involves meeting specific criteria:Business

Entity Registration: You must be a legally registered business (e.g., an LLC, Sole Proprietorship, or Corporation).

Liability Insurance: Most jurisdictions require “Liability of the Tour Operator” insurance to protect consumer funds in case of insolvency or accidents.

Financial Bonds/Trust Accounts: Authorities often require a surety bond or a dedicated trust account to safeguard customer deposits.

Local Authorities: Depending on where you operate, you must apply through your local Ministry of Tourism, state government, or municipal licensing board.

For example, if you are operating locally in Bulgaria, travel businesses must be registered with the Ministry of Tourism and entered into the National Tourist Register. Similarly, travel operators in the UK packaging flights must acquire an ATOL licence, while US-based businesses must comply with individual state travel.

Procedure & documents. Final important.

  The registration shall be carried out by the Minister of Tourism or an official authorized by him through entry in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents. The register shall be public. Persons entered in the register shall be issued with a certificate of registration. Registration shall be open-ended.

             The tour operator established in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall annually conclude a contract for compulsory insurance “Liability of the tour operator” with an insurer within the meaning of the Insurance Code. Contracts shall be concluded for a period of one year and shall be renewed or a new contract shall be concluded not later than 30 days before the expiry date. Information on the period of validity of the insurance and the sum insured shall be published in the National Tourist Register. The Tourism Act sets minimum limits of liability for the conclusion of a compulsory tour operator liability insurance contract.

The application-declaration is submitted for examination by the Expert Commission for Registration of Tour Operators and Travel Agents /ECRTTA/. The Commission shall examine the application-declaration and the annexes thereto within two months from the date of their receipt and shall decide on them with a reasoned proposal to the Minister to carry out the registration or to refuse the registration.

        In the event of any incompleteness and/or irregularity in the documents submitted, the ERCTA shall, within 10 working days from the date of the meeting, notify the applicant in writing and set a deadline of 14 days for their rectification. The time limit for examination shall be suspended until the date of removal of the incompleteness and/or irregularity.

Accounting Outsourcing – Common Reasons

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Our promises & invitation for a partnership

Paramount Accounting & Legal Services firm can provide complete legal & administrations services & information about other applicable taxes in Bulgaria, such as the corporate tax   business trips expenses tax treatment    social expenses taxation   taxes on representative expenses, Company incorporation in Bulgaria – Accounting Services in Bulgaria

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