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🇧🇬 Bulgaria Relocation Data 2026

Key statistics for expats and relocators

Data updated · Region: Europe · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)

Overall Score

52/100

Global Rank

#46/95

Est. Monthly Cost

$1,150

Dimension Breakdown

Cost of Living
86
Safety
80
Healthcare
54
Education
43
Career
53
Lifestyle
65
Infrastructure
76

Confidence: 88%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).

Cost of Living Breakdown

CategoryAffordability IndexRating
Groceries53/100Moderate
Rent83/100Affordable
Property Purchase83/100Affordable
Utilities83/100Affordable
Transport50/100Moderate
Overall (composite)32higher = more expensive

Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $1,150 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).

Top Cities in Bulgaria

CityEst. Monthly CostCost IndexSafety
Sofia$7502070
Plovdiv$1,1503275
Varna$1,1503275
Burgas$1,1503275

Tax Overview

Tax TypeRate
Top Income Tax Rate10%
VAT / GST20%
Corporate Tax10%
Effective Rate at $60K9.3%

Ordinary employment income is taxed at 10% after employee mandatory contributions; 2026 contribution ceilings change in August.

Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)

Gross Income (USD)Effective RateMonthly Take-Home
$50,00018%$3,435
$100,00014%$7,185
$200,00012%$14,685

Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.

Visa Access by Passport

PassportAccess LevelMax Stay (days)Work AllowedNomad Visa
🇺🇸 United StatesVisa-Free90NoYes
🇬🇧 United KingdomVisa-Free90NoYes
🇨🇦 CanadaVisa-Free90NoYes
🇦🇺 AustraliaVisa-Free90NoYes
🇩🇪 GermanyFreedom of MovementUnlimitedYesNo

Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).

Key Facts

CapitalSofia
Population6.5 Million
CurrencyBulgarian Lev (BGN)
LanguagesBulgarian
RegionSoutheastern Europe
TimezoneEET (UTC+2)
English ProficiencyModerate

How to Cite

WhereNext. "Bulgaria Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/bg. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Explore More

Full Bulgaria Relocation GuideCompare CountriesGlobal Relocation Index 2026Cost of Living Report 2026Expat Tax Rates 2026Bulgaria Passport Power

Data compiled by WhereNext from institutional datasets including the World Bank, WHO, Global Peace Index, OECD PISA, EF English Proficiency Index, and national statistical offices. This page is part of the WhereNext Open Data program. Free to cite with attribution under CC BY 4.0.