In the article are assessed the processes of restructuring of cooperatives in agriculture and rural region in the transition period from planned to market economy and in the period of the country’s accession to European structures. The thesis of the paper is that cooperatives in agriculture and rural areas have difficulties when adapting to the changes in the business environment in the condition of country’s membership in the European Union. Their declining role for the rural development is accompanied by a dynamic depopulation process, deterioration of social services and the quality of life of local residents. Are depicted the characteristics of different types of cooperatives - productive, commercial, credit, consumer. Are evaluated the main reasons for the liquidation of productive cooperatives in the different periods of development of the agrarian policy in Bulgaria. Are analyzed several legislative restrictions for the development of credit and productive cooperatives.