What is the corporate tax rate in Bulgaria vs Romania?

Bulgaria charges a flat 10% flat corporate tax. Romania charges 16% (or 1-3% micro).

How much share capital do you need in Bulgaria vs Romania?

Bulgaria requires only BGN 2 (≈ €1) of share capital. Romania requires RON 1 (≈ €0.20).

How long does it take to register a company in Bulgaria compared to Romania?

Bulgarian companies are typically registered in 3-7 business days. In Romania, expect 1-2 weeks.

Why do EU founders choose Bulgaria over Romania?

Standard corporate tax: 10% vs 16% Dividend tax: 5% vs 10% Romania kept tightening the micro-enterprise regime - €100K cap, sector exclusions Bulgaria's tax code is more stable; Romania changes rates yearly Better English-language professional services market in Sofia

When is Romania the better jurisdiction than Bulgaria?

If you qualify for Romania's micro-enterprise regime under €100K turnover and want 1-3% If you need a much larger domestic market (RO ~19M vs BG ~6.5M)

All comparisons

Jurisdiction comparison · 2026

Bulgaria 🇧🇬 vs Romania 🇷🇴: Where Should EU Founders Incorporate in 2026?

Romania's micro regime can beat Bulgaria for tiny businesses, but eligibility keeps narrowing. Above €100K turnover, Bulgaria is materially cheaper and more predictable.

Head-to-head

	Bulgaria 🇧🇬	Romania 🇷🇴
Corporate tax	10% flat	16% (or 1-3% micro)
Dividend tax	5%	10%
VAT rate	20% (0% intra-EU B2B)	19%
Min. share capital	BGN 2 (≈ €1)	RON 1 (≈ €0.20)
Setup time	3-7 business days	1-2 weeks
EU membership	Yes (since 2007)	Yes (2007)
Social contributions	~32% (capped at BGN 4,130/mo)	~37.25%

Why Bulgaria wins

Standard corporate tax: 10% vs 16%
Dividend tax: 5% vs 10%
Romania kept tightening the micro-enterprise regime - €100K cap, sector exclusions
Bulgaria's tax code is more stable; Romania changes rates yearly
Better English-language professional services market in Sofia

When Romania is the better pick

If you qualify for Romania's micro-enterprise regime under €100K turnover and want 1-3%
If you need a much larger domestic market (RO ~19M vs BG ~6.5M)

Ready to register your Bulgarian company?

We've helped 750+ EU founders incorporate in Bulgaria. Setup in 5 business days, fully remote, English throughout.

Book a free consultation See pricing

Other comparisons

Bulgaria vs Germany 🇩🇪Bulgaria vs Netherlands 🇳🇱Bulgaria vs Ireland 🇮🇪Bulgaria vs Portugal 🇵🇹