Free PDF · 10 sections · September 2026
Bulgaria investment guide: the numbers before you decide
The Gabrovo Investment Brief puts in one document the figures you need to judge Bulgaria as your EU base: tax rates next to four other EU countries, the real cost of setting up and running a company, the timeline from decision to first invoice, and industrial property data for central Bulgaria. Every figure has a named source and a date.
Written for business owners in China, Türkiye, Korea and India.
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What is inside
Ten sections, one decision
The brief follows the order most business owners ask their questions in: is Bulgaria worth it, what will it cost, how long will it take, and what do I need to start.
Why Bulgaria, in one page
The key facts at a glance: tax rates, eurozone membership, EU single market access, and what a foreign owner can do without living in Bulgaria.
Tax comparison
Bulgaria next to Romania, Hungary and Poland: corporate tax, dividend tax, VAT, payroll contributions, and the total tax on profit you pay out to yourself.
Double tax treaty rates
Withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties under Bulgaria's treaties with China, Türkiye, South Korea and India.
What it costs to set up
One-time costs line by line, from the Commercial Register fee to bank account opening, plus the yearly cost of keeping the company running.
Setup timeline
Each step from name check to VAT registration, with working days. Also the processing times for work permits for non-EU staff.
Operating costs in six cities
Monthly cost of a five-person office in Gabrovo, Sofia, Plovdiv, Warsaw, Budapest and Bucharest: rent, salaries, contributions, utilities and accounting.
The Gabrovo–Sevlievo–Lovech industrial corridor
The three industrial zones in Gabrovo, what is nearby, and the district's employment and export data.
EU tariffs and market access
The 2026 duties on Chinese electric vehicles, the end of the €150 customs exemption on 1 July 2026, and what an EU company changes for you.
Legal structures
EOOD and OOD side by side, and when a branch or representative office makes more sense.
What you need to get started
The documents list, the five decisions to make before you begin, and which steps you can complete without travelling to Bulgaria.
A preview
Four figures from the brief
| Country | Corporate income tax |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 10% |
| Hungary | 9% |
| Romania | 16% |
| Poland | 19% (9% for small taxpayers) |
Headline statutory rates, 2026. The brief adds dividend tax, VAT and payroll contributions, which change the picture. Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries.
Who it is for
Written for four kinds of business
Chinese manufacturers
You face EU tariffs or anti-dumping duties and want to know what EU origin would change.
Read more →Turkish manufacturers
The customs union covers your goods but not services or public procurement. You want the full benefits of an EU member state.
Read more →Korean companies
You need a compliant EU presence without the cost of a Western European headquarters.
Read more →Indian IT and services firms
Your EU clients want an EU contracting entity, EU VAT invoices and GDPR compliance.
Read more →Selling online into the EU? Sections 4, 5 and 8 cover you. E-commerce sellers →
Sources
Every figure has a source
We built the brief from public, checkable sources. Each table shows where its numbers come from and when they were last updated. Where a figure is an estimate, such as office rent in Gabrovo, the brief says so and explains how we estimated it.
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Poland)
- National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria — wages by district
- Institute for Market Economics — Regional Profiles: Gabrovo
- Gabrovo Municipality — industrial zones
- European Commission — countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles
- Cushman & Wakefield — Sofia office market report
Current as of September 2026. Tax rates and rules change. We update the brief when they do, and the date on the cover tells you which version you have.
Questions
Before you download
Is the brief really free?
Yes. You give us your name, email and country, and we send you the PDF. There is no charge and no obligation.
Will you add me to a mailing list?
Only if you tick the second box on the form. If you leave it empty, you receive one email with the brief and nothing else, unless you contact us.
Which language is the brief in?
English, Chinese, Turkish and Korean. You receive the version that matches the language of the page you request it from. Consultations are in English or Bulgarian.
Is this legal or tax advice?
No. The brief gives you general figures to evaluate Bulgaria. Your own situation depends on your ownership structure, your home country and your type of business. For that, speak to a qualified adviser. We can introduce you to one.
How current are the figures?
The brief is dated September 2026. Tax rates are current statutory rates at that date. Cost figures are ranges based on the sources listed, not quotes.
I already know I want to set up. Do I need the brief?
No. Book a free consultation and we will go through your plan directly. The brief is useful if you are still comparing countries or need figures for an internal decision.
Prefer to talk it through?
A thirty-minute call at no charge, in English or Bulgarian. Bring your questions and we will tell you plainly what is involved, how long it takes and what it costs.