Opening a massage studio or spa/wellness center in Bulgaria represents a promising business opportunity, contributing not only to the well-being and health of clients, but also to the development of the local economy. Elan Consulting, one of the best accounting houses in Burgas, offers full support and guidance for the successful start-up and management of your enterprise in this sector, providing advice and services in the field of accounting, tax planning and legal regulation.
In this article we will look at key topics related to the opening of a massage studio or spa/wellness center in Bulgaria, focusing on the following aspects:
Elan Consultingis here to support you every step of the process of creating and developing your massage studio or spa/wellness center in Bulgaria. We offer professional accounting and tax services that will help you optimize your activity and ensure its successful and sustainable development.
The opening of a massage studio or spa/wellness center in Bulgaria is associated with a number of requirements that aim to guarantee the quality of services, safety and health of customers. Although both businesses offer welfare improvement services, they are subject to different registration and management regimes, which reflects their specific characteristics and the services offered.
Massage studios in Bulgaria are classified as public objects and as such, they must comply with a number of hygiene and health standards. According to Ordinance No. 15 of August 21, 1987 on Hygienic Requirements for Barber, Hairdressing and Beauty Salons, as well as The Health Act, when opening any new establishment, a notification must be sent to the relevant regional health inspectorate no later than one day before the start of the activity.
In order to register a massage studio in Bulgaria as a public object, you must follow a specific process established by Ordinance No. 9 of March 21, 2005The first and most important step is to notify the relevant Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) about the opening of your massage studio. This notification must be made no later than the day of commencement of the activityand follow the model provided for in Annex 2 to the Regulation. After receiving the notification, RZI has the task of carrying out an inspection of the object within the time limit up to a monthto find out if all health requirements have been met. This check shall include an assessment of the availability of all necessary documents, such as current registration and, where appropriate, licences or authorisations for specific activities.
If everything is in order and the requirements are met, the entry of the massage studio in the register of objects of public use is carried out in 14-day periodafter the inspection. It is important to note that the register is maintained in both electronic and paper form, with each registration receiving a unique registration number. In the event that irregularities are identified during the initial inspection, the RZI issues a prescription for their elimination within a specified period, after which a re-examination is carried out. The notification to the RZI can also be made electronically, which facilitates the process and makes it more accessible to future owners of massage studios.
IMPORTANT! It is a good idea to submit the notification to the Regional Health Inspectorate no later than 7-14 days before the start of the activity and start a real service offering only after successful registration to avoid unpleasant penalties!
In the field of massage services, the quality and professionalism of the staff are crucial to the success of any massage studio. According to the regulations and standards established in Bulgaria, it is mandatory for massage therapists to have certificate or diplomathat attest to their qualifications. This also includes specialisation in the field of sports massage, where additional training and knowledge specific to the sports conditions and the needs of the athletes are required.
In order to obtain a fourth degree of professional qualification in the profession of “Massage Therapist” or “Sports Massage Therapist”, applicants must meet minimum educational and/or qualification requirements established under Vocational Education and Training Act (VET). This means that applicants must be at least 16 yearsand have secondary education in order to begin training to acquire the necessary degree of professional qualification.
Training can last up to two years, depending on the programme chosen, initial vocational training or continuing vocational training. An important aspect of the qualification process is validation of professional knowledge, skills and competences, which is implemented according to Ordinance No. 2 of November 13, 2014 on the conditions and procedure for validation of professional knowledge, skills and competencies.
On the other hand, spas and wellness centers that offer a wider range of services, including balneotherapy and thalassotherapy, are registered and certified in the order of Ordinance № 04-14 of October 9, 2019 on the conditions and procedure for certification of “Balneotherapeutic (Medical SPA) center”, “SPA center”, “Wellness center” and “Thalassotherapy center”. This regulation defines the specific criteria and procedures for the certification of such centers, thus ensuring that they offer services at a high level, in accordance with established quality and safety standards.
For the opening and licensing of spas in Bulgaria, specific conditions and procedures are defined, which must be fulfilled by the applicants. According to the regulation, the requirements and procedure for certification cover both stand-alone spas and those that are adjacent to accommodations in a resort and urban environment. Centres providing certification balneotherapy (medical SPA), SPA, wellness and thalassotherapy services, paying attention to the requirements for the construction, furnishing, equipment and qualifications of personnel.
The specific categories of centers that are subject to certification include a balneotherapy (medical SPA) center, a spa center, a wellness center and a thalassotherapy center. An interesting point is that Spas and wellness centers must be entered in the public register of objects of public use, while balneotherapy and thalassotherapy centers are created by medical institutions specializing in the field of physical and rehabilitation medicine.
For the successful certification of a spa center, it is necessary to submit application-declarationto the Ministry of Tourism. On-site inspections for compliance with the minimum mandatory requirements are carried out by a commission, which includes representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and the relevant regional health inspectorate. The results of these checks are reflected in Statement of findings, which is subject to evaluation by the Expert Committee on Categorization and Certification of Tourist Objects (ECXTO).
The requirements for the staff and management of spas are strictly regulated, with emphasis on professional and language qualifications. This ensures that the services offered in these centers are at a high level and meet customer expectations. In addition, where the centre's activities involve the use of mineral water or other water from a specific water source, it shall also be required permit for water abstraction.
The requirements for the equipment of spas in Bulgaria are set in order to provide a safe and quality service for customers. These standards cover all aspects of the centre, including construction, furnishings, installations and service provision.
The constructionThe spa includes various sections such as indoor swimming pool, water and high temperature section, rooms for contrast procedures, relaxation area, etc. In addition, sanitary facilities must be provided adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility.
Furnishings and equipmentmust meet specific requirements for safety and functionality. For example, an indoor swimming pool requires a certain depth, steps with handrails for easy access, as well as a special anti-slip coating around it. Also, the presence of showers, baths and changing rooms in the immediate vicinity of the pool is mandatory.
IN water sectionthere must be equipment for restorative and relaxing procedures, and high temperature sectionrequires a variety of saunas and steam rooms, such as a Finnish sauna, steam room, Turkish bath (hammam) and others. The relaxation area should offer a comfortable environment with soft music, warm armchairs or sun loungers and pleasant lighting.
The rooms for proceduresshould be equipped with appropriate furniture and accessories that provide convenience and hygiene for carrying out massages and cosmetic procedures. The fitness section should include a variety of cardio and strength training equipment.
Installations in the spa, such as plumbing, sewerage, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, must comply with the act of commissioning according to the law, as well as provide for the regulation of air temperature.
The serviceinvolves attentive reception of customers, provision of information about the center and services, as well as professional performance of the selected procedures.
A key element is also the professional and linguistic qualifications of the staff, which guarantees high quality of service and the ability to work with international customers.
The opening of a spa center in Bulgaria is associated with a set of initial investments, which include both the costs of construction and equipment, as well as certain administrative fees. According to the information, the cost of administrative fees for certification and entry in the National Tourist Register varies according to the type of center:
These fees are only part of the initial costs that must be taken into account when planning the opening of a spa. Additionally to these must be added the investments for the construction, furnishing and equipping of the center, which can vary considerably depending on the size of the center, the technologies chosen and the luxury elements integrated into the design. In addition, operating expenses should also be taken into account, including staff salaries, facilities maintenance, utilities, marketing and others.
Planning a budget for opening a spa center should include a detailed financial plan that covers all these aspects in order to ensure the successful launch and sustainable development of the business.
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The first steps include drawing up a detailed business plan, choosing a suitable location and registering the business as a public object in the relevant regional health inspectorate (RHI). It is also important that you familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for hygiene and safety set out in Ordinance No. 15 of August 21, 1987 on hygiene requirements for barbershops, hairdressers and beauty salons and apply them in the furnishing and equipping of the studio.
It is necessary to submit an application for certification to the relevant regional health inspectorate (RHI) and pay the relevant state fees. In addition, you must provide a document of ownership or rent of the premises, documents proving the professional qualifications of the staff, as well as documentation proving the compliance of the premises with hygienic and sanitary standards.
The massage studio is registered as a public object and is subject to control for compliance with health requirements. For the spa, in addition to registration in the RZI, certification by the Ministry of Tourism or by an authorized official is required, which includes compliance with additional requirements for furniture, equipment and qualifications of staff.
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