Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Targovishte

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Targovishte, Bulgaria

E-commerce and internet law governs online business activities, digital contracts, data processing, electronic payments, consumer protection, online advertising, domain names, and intellectual property. In Targovishte, as elsewhere in Bulgaria, most rules come from national legislation and European Union regulations. Local courts and administrative bodies apply these rules when disputes arise or when businesses need authorisation or registration. If you run an online store, a digital service, or a platform targeting Bulgarian consumers or clients, you will be subject to a mix of EU law - which can be directly applicable - and Bulgarian implementing laws and administrative practice.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Online business owners, consumers, and service providers may need legal help in many common situations, including:

• Drafting and reviewing terms and conditions, privacy policies, and cookie notices to comply with GDPR and Bulgarian rules.
• Handling consumer claims and returns - distance selling rules create specific information and cancellation rights.
• Dealing with data breaches, notifications, and relations with the data protection authority.
• Negotiating or drafting contracts with suppliers, platform partners, payment providers, or developers.
• Advising on VAT, customs and cross-border sales obligations, including OSS and IOSS schemes in the EU.
• Resolving intellectual property disputes - trademark and copyright issues, domain name conflicts, content takedowns.
• Responding to regulatory inquiries from institutions such as the Commission for Consumer Protection, the Commission for Personal Data Protection, or tax authorities.
• Setting up the appropriate legal entity or corporate structure for your e-commerce activity and advising on licensing or sector-specific compliance.
• Managing payment and fintech compliance - PSD2, strong customer authentication, anti-money-laundering checks where relevant.
• Representing you in litigation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution, including cross-border disputes.

Local Laws Overview

Key Bulgarian and EU legal instruments and rules that most directly affect e-commerce and internet law in Targovishte include the following - presented in accessible terms:

• GDPR and national data protection law - rules for collecting, processing, storing, and transferring personal data. You must have a lawful basis to process personal data, inform data subjects, and implement security measures. Data breaches may require notification to the supervisory authority and affected individuals.
• Electronic Commerce Act - implements the EU Electronic Commerce Directive and sets rules for intermediary liability, commercial communications, information obligations for online service providers, and rules for contracts concluded online.
• Consumer Protection Act - transposes the EU Consumer Rights Directive. It requires clear pre-contractual information, rights of withdrawal for consumers on distance contracts, rules on unfair contract terms, and post-sales obligations.
• Law on Electronic Identification and Trust Services and related rules - governs electronic signatures, trust services and provides legal frameworks for electronic documents and e-signatures consistent with eIDAS.
• Payment Services and Payment Systems Act and PSD2 implementation - covers payment service providers, authentication requirements, and consumer protections related to electronic payments.
• VAT legislation and EU VAT rules for e-commerce - determines when you need to register for VAT in Bulgaria or elsewhere, and how to apply OSS and IOSS for cross-border sales to consumers.
• Intellectual property law - Bulgarian copyright and trademark law, complemented by EU IP rules, apply to content, software and branding. Take-down and enforcement routes are available for infringements.
• Advertising and marketing rules - laws on misleading advertising, comparative advertising and rules that protect vulnerable groups apply to online ads, promotions and loyalty programmes.
• Anti-money-laundering requirements and sector-specific regulation - certain activities, payment flows or high-risk transactions may trigger extra compliance obligations.

Local enforcement and dispute resolution are handled by Bulgarian administrative bodies and courts. For consumer disputes, administrative remedies and alternative dispute resolution procedures are available alongside litigation before local courts, including courts located in Targovishte.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Bulgarian-registered company to sell online to customers in Targovishte or elsewhere in Bulgaria?

Not necessarily. You can sell as an individual or through a foreign company, but practical and tax reasons often make a Bulgarian-registered company preferable when you have a stable business presence or regular sales to Bulgarian consumers. A local company simplifies VAT registration, invoicing, bank relationships and legal representation. Discuss the best option with a lawyer or tax advisor.

What information must I display on my e-shop to comply with Bulgarian rules?

You must provide clear contact details, company or trader identity, registration information, pricing including taxes and delivery costs, terms of payment and delivery, the right of withdrawal and cancellation procedures for consumers, and the main contractual steps before purchase. Privacy and cookie information should also be accessible and accurate.

How do Bulgarian and EU data protection rules affect my customer database?

You must have a lawful basis for processing personal data, provide clear privacy notices, limit data collection to what is necessary, secure the data, and allow data subject rights such as access and deletion. For marketing by email or SMS, obtain valid consent when required. Notify the competent authority and affected individuals in case of a personal data breach when the legal threshold is met.

What are the rules on returns and cancellations for consumer purchases?

Consumers generally benefit from a right of withdrawal for distance contracts, entitling them to cancel within a set statutory period after receipt of goods. Traders must provide clear information about that right, and may be required to reimburse the consumer for the purchase and delivery costs under specific rules. Some exceptions apply - for example perishable goods, sealed goods that cannot be returned for health or hygiene reasons, or bespoke items.

How should I handle VAT for cross-border sales within the EU and to non-EU countries?

VAT rules depend on the buyer, the nature of the supply, and where the supply is treated as made. For B2C sales within the EU, distance selling thresholds and the One-Stop Shop (OSS) regime are important. For sales to non-EU customers exports may be zero rated under certain conditions. Because VAT can be complex, consult a tax advisor or lawyer to determine registration obligations and invoicing practices.

Can I use standard templates for terms and policies, or do I need custom documents?

Templates can be a starting point, but they often need tailoring to your specific business model, payment flows, delivery methods, choice of law and dispute resolution mechanisms, and data processing activities. A lawyer can adapt templates to reduce risk and ensure compliance with applicable Bulgarian and EU rules.

What steps should I take if a customer files a complaint or a regulator opens an inquiry?

Gather relevant documents and communications, preserve evidence, stop any practices that may be harmful, and notify your lawyer promptly. For data breaches, assess impact and follow notification rules. For consumer complaints, consider alternative dispute resolution and try to resolve the matter quickly to avoid escalation. A lawyer can help draft responses and represent you before authorities and courts.

How are domain name or copyright disputes handled in Bulgaria?

Infringement disputes can be addressed through take-down notices, administrative procedures affiliated with domain registries, or litigation before Bulgarian courts. For trademarks, administrative actions before the Bulgarian Patent Office and court litigation are available. Early legal advice helps you pick the quickest and most effective route.

What liabilities do online intermediaries like marketplaces or hosting providers have?

Under the Electronic Commerce Act and related EU rules, intermediary liability is limited in certain circumstances when the provider acts as a passive conduit, caching or hosting third-party content. However, if the intermediary has actual knowledge of illegal activity and fails to act, liability may arise. Carefully structured policies and prompt takedown procedures reduce exposure.

How do I choose the right lawyer in Targovishte for e-commerce and internet law matters?

Look for a lawyer or law firm with experience in e-commerce, data protection, consumer law and relevant regulatory matters. Ask about previous cases, fees and approach, request client references when possible, and confirm the lawyer is licensed to practise in Bulgaria. For cross-border issues, consider a lawyer with EU or international experience or the ability to coordinate with foreign counsel.

Additional Resources

The following bodies and organisations can provide guidance, regulatory oversight or practical support for e-commerce and internet law issues in Bulgaria. Contact them or consult their materials as a complement to legal advice. Examples include:

• Commission for Personal Data Protection - oversight of data protection and GDPR compliance.
• Commission for Consumer Protection - handles consumer rights, complaints and enforcement.
• Communications Regulation Commission - regulates electronic communications and certain online services.
• National Revenue Agency - VAT, tax registration and compliance matters.
• Bulgarian Patent Office - trademarks, designs and intellectual property registration.
• Registry Agency - commercial register and company information for Bulgaria.
• Bulgarian Bar Association and regional bar groups - lists of licensed lawyers and professional standards.
• Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local chambers - business support and guidance for traders in Targovishte.
• Local courts in Targovishte - for filing claims and accessing judicial remedies.
• Alternative dispute resolution and EU online dispute resolution mechanisms - for consumer complaints and cross-border disputes.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in e-commerce or internet law in Targovishte, consider the following practical steps:

1. Prepare a concise summary of your issue - timeline, parties involved, relevant contracts, screenshots, emails, invoices, logs and evidence of transactions or communications.
2. Identify your objectives - compliance, dispute resolution, contract drafting, regulatory defence, or risk assessment.
3. Search for a lawyer with relevant e-commerce, data protection and consumer law experience. Check credentials and ask about previous similar matters.
4. Request an initial consultation - many lawyers offer a fixed-fee first meeting. Use it to assess strategy, likely costs, and timeframes.
5. Agree a written engagement letter or fee agreement that sets out scope, fees, billing arrangements and confidentiality terms.
6. Act quickly on time-sensitive obligations - data breach notifications, statutory consumer deadlines, or limitation periods may apply.
7. Consider ADR or mediation for consumer disputes to save time and cost, but be prepared to litigate if necessary.
8. Put compliance measures in place - document policies, implement security and privacy-by-design, and keep records of consent and processing activities.
9. Keep records of all communications with regulators and customers and follow your lawyer's guidance on public statements and takedown notices.
10. Review your practices regularly as laws change - EU and Bulgarian rules evolve, and periodic legal audits can reduce future risk.

Good legal advice tailored to your situation can reduce risk and help your online activity grow responsibly within the Bulgarian and EU legal framework. If you are unsure where to start, arrange an initial consultation with a qualified local lawyer and bring the key documents listed above.