Menu
Expat.com

Working as a freelancer in Bulgaria

Last activity 08 June 2023 by Cheryl

Post new topic

Kenjee

Hi,

A lot of expats dream of becoming self-employed: we would like to help you to make that dream come true.

Can foreigners work as self-employed in Bulgaria? What are the formalities to work as a freelancer?

What are the pros and cons of this status: social security, tax system, etc.?

How is the freelance market in Bulgaria?

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience,

Kenjee

Pooh Bear

I work for myself in Bulgaria, I work remotly with the UK as bulgarins will not spend the money.

vicamilleri

If to work as a freelncer, it does not matter what country to live in. :) The main question is to find such opportunity for working.

kojidae

To properly pay taxes in Bulgaria as a freelancer, you must register yourself and pay monthly income taxes and social security. One disappointing thing is that it is impossible to register as a freelancer if you are employed with a company as well, so you cannot (as far as I know) legally work for a company and be a freelancer, because you have no way to pay your taxes.

As with most places, taxes for a freelancer are high, because you have to pay your portion and the portion a company would usually cover, which makes your taxes almost 30% (10% income, 17% for social security etc.)

miker7

kojidae wrote:

As with most places, taxes for a freelancer are high, because you have to pay your portion and the portion a company would usually cover, which makes your taxes almost 30% (10% income, 17% for social security etc.)


Isn't there a upper limit for social security? I have read about a limit for the part which is considered for your social security payments or doesn't this apply for freelancer?

kojidae

I am not sure. I think I remember something about an upper limit (I am no longer a freelancer here), but I do not remember what it was.

Lawrence Wilburn

I am in Bulgaria on a Type D visa work under a TRO registered office to my closely held US corporation. My clients are in the US at the moment and I pay myself from the US Company. I am working on my residence permit and while meeting with a CPA here to talk about forming a Bulgarian Corporation the tax issue came up. He said even as an employee of a US Corp I still have to pay the employer/employee taxes here as a resident. I do not recall the exact ceiling but it was something like I have to pay 30% of the first 3000 BGN or about $500 US a year.

A BG corporation is inexpensive and easy to set so it can function be a business structure for your freelance income. Taxes are so much lower here than the US so after I set mine up I will start writing contracts here. Your books have to be done in Bulgarian but you can get everything done for such a small amount and it is common to have your accountant handle everything.

I have a good attorney and CPA that speak English if you need some help.

Pooh Bear

Setting up my company as well. Who are you using as a CPA. I want to compare prices....thanks

cbabyfoot

see :
to be freelancer :

https://translate.google.com/translate? … ;sandbox=1

social contributions:
see Contributions for self-employed workers here :

https://translate.google.com/translate? … garie.html

you must pay social cotisations only between 640 BG to 3000 BGN of your revenues monthly

taxes for revenues :
4 % for agriculture sector
6 % for copyright and license sector (even program and softwre I believe)
9 % for real estate income
else 7,5 %

Angie1417

@Lawrence Wilburn  I would love to know about your CPA. Im starting my process to become freelancer in Bulgaria and Im looking for a good Bookeeper that speak Bulgarian and English or Spanish.

Cheryl

Hello Angie1417,


Welcome to Expat.com 1f601.svg


As you should have noticed, this thread has been inactive for some years.


I would recommend starting a new thread on the Bulgaria forum to introduce yourself and ask questions regarding the specific topic you would like to discuss.


There is the Living in Bulgaria guide for expats, do not forget to check it out!


All the best,


Cheryl

Expat.com team

teo2365

@Angie1417 hi Angie if you want we can have a chat over all these questions. I live between Shumen and Sofia and i am available anytime. You can call me on ***. Teo

Moderated by Cheryl last year
Reason : No contact details on the forum please.
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct
Cheryl

Hey teo2365,


Kindly note that contact details should not be posted on the forum.


Such information can be shared via the private messaging system.


Thank you,


Cheryl

Expat.com team

Articles to help you in your expat project in Bulgaria

  • Work in Bulgaria
    Work in Bulgaria

    Find, in this article, an overview of the Bulgarian labor market and tips to help you find a job if you intend to ...

  • Internship in Bulgaria
    Internship in Bulgaria

    Looking for an internship in Bulgaria? Find information on the related conditions and procedures in this article.

  • Setting up a business in Bulgaria
    Setting up a business in Bulgaria

    Are you looking forward to set up a business in Bulgaria? Here is an overview of conditions to be met and related ...

  • Become a digital nomad in Bulgaria
    Become a digital nomad in Bulgaria

    Bulgaria is another name in the list of underestimated travel destinations, but things are changing. Having been ...

  • Work in Sofia
    Work in Sofia

    There are various ways to find a job in Sofia. Here are some tips to guide you through your job search.

  • Work in Plovdiv
    Work in Plovdiv

    Being Bulgaria's second biggest city, Plovdiv also provides many career prospects. Find out more about these ...

  • Work in Varna
    Work in Varna

    Looking for a job in Varna? Find out what are the most promising sectors for foreigners in this article.

  • Giving Birth In Bulgaria
    Giving Birth In Bulgaria

    If you find yourself pregnant in Bulgaria, you may be wondering if you will have to head home to have your baby. ...

All of Bulgaria's guide articles