Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Bulgarian attorney

Freelancer in Bulgaria

What are the benefits of becoming a registered freelancer in Bulgaria?

If you are a digital nomad or crypto investor who would like to have his worldwide income taxed at a low rate, freelancer registration in Bulgaria could be the best choice. Freelancer registration is an easy way to obtain tax residency status in Bulgaria, even if you are not a freelancer in nature.

Freelancer Compared to EOOD

  • When operating as a freelancer in Bulgaria, you enjoy the benefit of deducting up to 25% of your fixed expenses from your income. For instance, if your annual turnover amounts to 100,000 EUR, you will be liable for income tax only on 75% of this turnover. This effectively translates to a 7.5% personal income tax rate.
  • The registration process for freelancers is a straightforward affair, typically completed within a week. All that’s required is obtaining a Bulgarian residency card along with a high school or university diploma. Our dedicated team will help you get a Bulgarian residency card in only a few days.
  • Being a freelancer, you will avoid the higher compliance requirements involved in opening a company bank account. Instead, they can opt to use personal bank accounts or EMI (Electronic Money Institution) accounts like Revolut or Wise. Our team is well-equipped to assist you in the hassle-free setup of a bank account with a Bulgarian-based bank.
  • There are no minimum capital requirements.
  • Dividends are tax exempt for Bulgarian residents.

Like EOODs (sole owned limited liability companies):

    • You can obtain a VAT number in a week.
    • You can get EORI number in a day.
    • As a freelancer, you have to pay social contributions based on your income.
    • You can refund VAT on your expenses.

Bulgaria Tax Residency for Freelancers

In terms of tax residency for freelancers in Bulgaria, it’s crucial to understand that your income is typically subject to taxation in your home country, unless you take deliberate steps to establish tax residency in Bulgaria. The tax treatment of your income can vary significantly depending on the specific tax laws and international treaties in effect between Bulgaria and your home country.

Our experienced tax team will ensure you comply with tax rules and grasp their impact on your finances. We’re here to offer straightforward and practical guidance because your financial well-being matters to us.

Whether or not you hold tax residency in Bulgaria, there are specific legal obligations that freelancers in the country must adhere to:

  1. Personal Income Tax: Self-employed individuals, including freelancers, are subject to a flat personal income tax rate of 10%. This tax must be declared and paid for the business conducted in 2023 by the 30th of April 2024.
  2. Value Added Tax (VAT): If your total income exceeds 100,000 BGN within a 12-month period, you are obligated to apply a 20% VAT to your sales invoices. It’s important to note that VAT is not required when conducting business with VAT-registered companies within the European Union outside of Bulgaria or with non-European Union companies.

Compliance with these legal obligations is essential for freelancers operating in Bulgaria. Failure to meet these requirements may result in penalties or legal consequences.

VAT for Freelancers

In addition to the mandatory VAT registration triggered by reaching 100,000 BGN turnover in any 12-month period, there’s also the option for voluntary VAT registration.

Since freelancers have fixed expenses of 25% of their turnover, any additional expenses beyond the 25% won’t directly reduce your profit but you can still seek a VAT refund for the VAT portion of these additional expenses. For instance, if you purchase a new laptop for 2,400 EUR (VAT included), although it won’t be recorded as a 2,400 EUR expense, you can apply for a VAT refund of 400 EUR.

Accounting for Freelancers in Bulgaria

Freelancers in Bulgaria operate under the purview of Bulgarian commercial law, which mandates the use of double-entry bookkeeping. Unlike some other business entities, freelancers are not required to publish annual accounts. Instead, they are obligated to file personal tax declarations. For further insights into the specifics of accounting in Bulgaria, please contact our team.

Managing Payroll as a Freelancer

As a freelancer, payroll is no different to that of any other legal entity. You can read more about Payroll in Bulgaria.

Deregistering a Freelancer in Bulgaria

The process of deregistering a freelancer in Bulgaria is a formal procedure designed to bring one’s self-employment to a close. Unlike the complexities of company liquidation, the freelancer deregistration process is typically faster, with the objective of completion within a few weeks.”

For more information about freelancer registration in Bulgaria, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

 

Freelancing in Bulgaria

Freelancer registration in Bulgaria

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