diff --git a/src/bg/vat.spec.ts b/src/bg/vat.spec.ts
index 4d5d34fd..2ba7e58e 100644
--- a/src/bg/vat.spec.ts
+++ b/src/bg/vat.spec.ts
@@ -31,4 +31,18 @@ describe('bg/vat', () => {
 
     expect(result.error).toBeInstanceOf(InvalidChecksum);
   });
+
+  // A registered VAT number starting with 8. The first digit is not
+  // restricted: python-stdnum's bg/vat has no such rule.
+  it('validate:BG 831642181', () => {
+    const result = validate('BG 831642181');
+
+    expect(result.isValid && result.compact).toEqual('831642181');
+  });
+
+  it('validate:BG 831642182', () => {
+    const result = validate('BG 831642182');
+
+    expect(result.error).toBeInstanceOf(InvalidChecksum);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/bg/vat.ts b/src/bg/vat.ts
index 0da3c8f3..84e334ed 100644
--- a/src/bg/vat.ts
+++ b/src/bg/vat.ts
@@ -91,10 +91,6 @@ const impl: Validator = {
       return { isValid: false, error: new exceptions.InvalidFormat() };
     }
 
-    if (!['0', '1', '2', '3', '9'].includes(value[0])) {
-      return { isValid: false, error: new exceptions.InvalidFormat() };
-    }
-
     if (value.length === 9) {
       if (!checkLegal(value)) {
         return { isValid: false, error: new exceptions.InvalidChecksum() };