POLITICAL AND BUSINESS STABILITY

Bulgaria is a member of the EU, NATO and WTO.


Stability of the Bulgarian lev is supported by a currency board, pegging it to the euro at a fixed exchange rate of 1.96

 

Bulgaria is among the EU countries with the lowest recorded government debt-to-GDP ratio (22.6% at the end of Q1 2024)

 

The country marked 1.8 % GDP growth in 2023

LOW COST OF DOING BUSINESS

  • Bulgaria has the most favourable tax regime in Europe. Corporate income tax rate is 10%, the lowest in the EU. Personal income tax is 10%, flat rate. Industries in high-unemployment areas are granted 0% tax rate.
  • A 2-year VAT exemption for imports of equipment for investment projects over €5 million, creating at least 50 jobs.
  • Depreciation time for computers and new manufacturing equipment is 2 years.
  • 5% withholding tax on dividends and liquidation quotas (0% for EU tax residents).
  • Bulgaria has one of the most competitive costs of labor in Central and Eastern Europe.
  • Favorable office rents and low cost of utilities. Bulgarian cost of electricity for industrial users is 70% of the European average.

STRATEGIC LOCATION

Five pan-European transport corridors pass through Bulgaria, enhancing opportunities for trade and movement of goods and services.

Developing multimodal infrastructure, encompassing rail, road, and sea and ensuring strong connectivity to the EU, Middle East, and Asian markets

HUMAN RESOURCES

58.5 %

of the total population is in working age (2023)

> 45 %

share of senior human resources in science and technology by occupation

70.7 %

Employment rate GDP

4.3 %

Unemployment rate (2023)