Tour operator and/or travel agency activities may be carried out only by persons who have undergone a special registration procedure and are entered in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents.
Registration options
Registration may be applied for in respect of:
- Tour operator activity only.
- Travel agency activity only.
- Both activities at the same time.
These activities may be carried out only by traders. For this purpose, one most commonly registers an EOOD or an OOD. There is no requirement for a specific minimum capital of the company, but the scope of activity must be described in accordance with the requirements. The same company may also carry out other business/commercial activity, but the premises used for tour operator and/or travel agency activity must be separated from those used for other activities. In those premises, only activities related to the offering of basic and additional tourist services may be carried out.
Requirements for the premises and staff
Companies wishing to carry out tour operator and/or travel agency activity must have:
- Premises (an office) and/or an online platform for carrying out the activity.
- Staff with the required education and language qualifications, including managerial staff with the requisite professional experience.
The premises must meet the following requirements:
- To be located on the ground or first floor of a residential or office building.
- To have a designated area for clients and workstations.
- To be equipped with suitable office equipment.
An office is not required if the activity is to be carried out solely online.
"Tour Operator's Liability" Insurance
For tour operators, it is mandatory to take out "Tour Operator's Liability" insurance.
Tax and social insurance obligations
The company must not have any tax and mandatory social insurance contribution liabilities, including interest thereon, established by an act that has entered into force.
Registration procedure
To obtain a licence to operate as a travel agency or tour operator, a standard-form application-declaration is submitted to the Ministry of Tourism.
Accompanying documents
The following are attached to the application-declaration:
- Declarations regarding the circumstances under Article 61, paragraph 3, items 1 – 3 of the Tourism Act:
- These are submitted by the natural person who is the owner, the members of the management and supervisory bodies, and the persons with management functions.
- A copy of the title document for the premises:
- A lease agreement or another document certifying the right of use.
- For online activity – a document certifying ownership of the internet address.
- A copy of a preliminary contract for the mandatory "Tour Operator's Liability" insurance.
- An express power of attorney, if the documents are submitted by an authorised representative.
- A document evidencing payment of the fee for examining the documents.
It is recommended that copies of documents evidencing the completed education, professional experience and language qualifications of the person performing the management functions also be attached. This prevents delays in the procedure.
Time limits for examination
The submitted documents are examined within a 14-day period. If there is any incompleteness or other irregularity, the applicant is given a 14-day period to remedy it.
Upon approval of the documents and payment of the relevant fees, the applicant is entered in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents.
State fees
Application examination fees:
- For tour operator activity: BGN 500
- For travel agency activity: BGN 500
- For both activities: BGN 1,000
Fees for entry and issuance of a certificate:
- For tour operator activity: BGN 3,000
- For travel agency activity: BGN 1,500
- For both activities: BGN 4,500
The entry fees are paid upon receipt of the registration certificate. Together with them, a copy of the contract for the mandatory "Tour Operator's Liability" insurance is also submitted.
Where registration is for both activities, a single certificate is issued.
Should you need legal advice or assistance in connection with the registration of a travel agency and/or tour operator, contact us on telephone 0887550706 or by e-mail: [email protected]
