Expanding your Business into Bulgaria
Country Spotlight:
GDP – $101.6 billion
Population – 6.35 million
Competitiveness Ranking? – 58 out of 64 (IMD)
?
The Commercial Brief:
The sectoral distribution of income in Bulgaria is 3.86% in agriculture, 25.45% in manufacturing, and the services sector contributes 59.58%. Bulgaria is a relatively small country in terms of population, but its economy is the 65th largest in the world, which is strongly juxtaposed with its population size. Bulgaria is projected to grow 2.3% in 2024, which is positive, with further growth closer to 3% projected for 2025.
Bulgaria’s inflation trajectory has been unusual in so far as when it transformed away from a centralised economy to a free market economy, resulting in initial hyperinflation peaking at 1,058% in 1997! Pegging the Bulgarian Lev to the German mark (later the Euro) stabilised inflation rates and the rate has glided down since (despite briefly ascending to 15% approximately in 2022 along with many other countries) and is forecast to be just below 3% in the near term which is roughly in line with other developed economies.?
Bulgaria's corporate income tax (CIT) rate is a flat 10%, and this applies to income tax as well.These are very competitive tax rates by any standards, not to mention that a simplified tax system brings numerous economic benefits.??
Bulgaria is known for its rich cultural heritage, blending ancient traditions and diverse historical influences. Its folk music is renowned for complex rhythms and unique harmonies, with traditional instruments like the gaida (bagpipe) and kaval (flute), while the vibrant horo dance is central to celebrations. The country boasts a rich tapestry of history, with ancient Thracian tombs and treasures, well-preserved Roman ruins like the theatre in Plovdiv, and magnificent Byzantine-era churches. Bulgarian Orthodox monasteries, such as the iconic Rila Monastery, are not only religious centres but also showcase stunning frescoes and architecture. This cultural wealth, coupled with unique customs and warm hospitality, makes Bulgaria a captivating destination with deep-rooted traditions.
Bulgaria is rich in natural resources that support various sectors of its economy. The country has significant mineral deposits, including copper, lead, zinc, and coal, with copper mining being particularly important. Energy production benefits from these coal reserves, as well as from hydroelectric power and growing renewable sources like solar and wind energy. About one-third of Bulgaria is forested, contributing to a robust forestry industry. Its fertile land and favourable climate make agriculture a key sector known for grains, sunflowers, fruits, and especially the production of rose oil, which is valued in the global perfume industry. Additionally, Bulgaria's extensive network of rivers and lakes provides essential water resources for agriculture, energy, and consumption.
For a company looking to expand internationally into Bulgaria, the country offers a diverse talent pool and thriving industries that can be highly beneficial. Bulgaria has a well-educated and skilled workforce, particularly strong in the IT and tech sectors, making it a regional hub for software development, outsourcing, and tech startups. The engineering and manufacturing industries are also robust, supported by a long tradition of technical expertise. Additionally, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are growing, with an increasing number of research and development initiatives. The financial services sector offers competitive talent for back-office operations and support. Moreover, Bulgaria's agriculture and food processing industries can be strategic for companies in those markets, thanks to its rich arable land and production capabilities. Overall, a favourable business environment, cost-effectiveness, and multilingual professionals enhance its appeal for international expansion
In summary, Bulgaria is a great destination for international expansion given its low tax rates stable economy and strong talent pools, however, caution must be considered with regard to its poor competitiveness scores and administrative hurdles below.?
Challenges of Expanding into Bulgaria?
In our experience setting up a permanent overseas entity in Bulgaria without Global EOR support can take up to 8 months, including the entity incorporation, setting up the bank account and concluding the local registrations. This timeline does not include license applications if needed, import/ export permits and industry-specific government registrations. Some of the required registrations in Bulgaria are as follows:?
A registered office is required in Bulgaria, and directors may not reside in Bulgaria; no nationality or residency requirements apply here, all companies however, must register a contact person for Ultimate Beneficiary Ownership (UBO) purposes. This person will manage the UBO registration with the commercial register and must be a permanent resident in Bulgaria. All employers must register and contribute to the State Pension Fund, the Common Disease and Maternity Fund and Unemployment Fund and the Occupational Diseases Fund.?
The amount of mandatory social security contributions is determined based on the category of labour performed by the employee, and each year the government sets the minimum and maximum amount of insurance income depending on the economic activity. Pre-employment medical checks are required before starting work, once every 3 years for persons under 40 and annually for persons over 40; each and every employer must have in place an agreement with the Labour Medicine Service for the provision of the list of compliance documents required to follow the Occupational Health and Safety rules (OHS). Health and Safety training is also required once upon onboarding and annually as a refresher.?
It is, therefore, essential for employers to familiarise themselves with the above. To avoid complications and business risk and enter the market quickly and compliantly, utilise a Global EOR in Bulgaria with dedicated and extensive in-country personnel, HR, Legal, Payroll, Compliance & Immigration teams that can support you and your organisation directly.?
If you're considering expanding to Bulgaria, we can help you plan for this and mitigate compliance risk. We're happy to provide guidance, simply get in touch, and we will do our best to help.
Interessant