To set up a coffee shop in Bulgaria, move fast on entity, site, and food-safety approvals in parallel: register an EOOD/OOD (min. capital BGN 2) with the Commercial Register (1–3 days), open a bank account, then fiscalize a POS/cash register with the National Revenue Agency. Apply for food establishment registration with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) with a HACCP plan, staff health booklets, pest-control and waste contracts; most municipalities also require categorization of the café and a working-hours order, plus a sidewalk-seating permit if needed. Choose a lease explicitly zoned for catering, with 3‑phase power, ventilation, and water filtration capacity; in Sofia expect €12–25/m² for neighborhood sites and €35–55/m² on prime streets, fit‑out €300–700/m², and an espresso setup €5k–15k. Plan VAT: mandatory above BGN 100,000 rolling 12‑month turnover; voluntary registration helps reclaim input VAT on fit‑out/imported equipment. Hire baristas with signed contracts registered at the NRA before start, budgeting ~19–21% employer on‑costs; run calibration SOPs and water TDS 50–150 ppm. If playing music or serving alcohol, secure licenses (Musicautor/PROPHON; municipal alcohol permit). Target 200–300 cups/day at 60%+ beverage margin; in Sofia, espresso BGN 3–5, pour‑over BGN 5–8. Shorten timeline by ordering gear and submitting BFSA documents before lease handover.
