Moving guides
From France to Bulgaria
What changes in tax when you move from France to Bulgaria: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules France applies when you leave.
What you would save
With €150,000 a year in dividends or foreign income, compared as a genuine resident of each country.
Leaving France
- Home (foyer) or main place of stay. You are resident if your household (spouse, children) habitually lives in France, or, failing that, if France is where you spend most of your time.
- Main professional activity in France. You are resident if your main work activity is in France, unless it is ancillary. Executives of French-headquartered companies with turnover above EUR 250 million are presumed to work mainly in France.
- Centre of economic interests. You are resident if France is the centre of your economic interests, for example your main investments, business seat or the source of most of your income.
Rules that can follow you after leaving
- French nationals in Monaco remain taxable in France. Under the 1963 France-Monaco tax convention, French nationals living in Monaco are generally taxed in France as if resident, unless they lived there before 13 October 1957 (five years' residence by 1962).
Exit tax in France
Exit tax (article 167 bis CGI)
- Tax resident in France for at least 6 of the 10 years before leaving.
- Securities and company rights worth at least EUR 800,000 in total, OR at least 50% of the profits of a company.
Unrealised capital gains (and earn-out receivables and previously deferred gains) are taxed on departure as if realised, at the flat tax (12.8% income tax plus social charges) or progressive rates if elected.
Arriving in Bulgaria
Personal income: 10% · Company tax: 10%
EU citizens: residence registration with the migration police. Non-EU: permit through a company, job or investment.
183 days a year or centre of interests in Bulgaria.
Flat 10% income tax and 10% company tax. Dividends at 5%. The lowest rates in the EU, with tax treaties and free movement.
Living there
Steps to residency
- 2 weeksRegister Bulgarian company (EOOD) with Registry Agency
- 4 weeksApply for type D visa at Bulgarian consulate (non-EU)
- 4 weeksApply for long-term residence permit at Migration Directorate
- 2 weeksCollect residence card and register for tax
About 12 weeks in total
Official websites: Tax authority · Immigration
Approximate figures that change often; check them before deciding.