Bulgaria vs Cyprus: tax comparison for expats & nomads
A sourced head-to-head on Bulgaria and Cyprus: tax-residency rules, income tax rates, special regimes and nomad visas, side by side. Income tax only, not tax advice.
Effective income tax by income
An effective-rate comparison for this pair isn’t available yet (one country’s full bracket table is still being verified). The sourced fact comparison below still applies — and the interactive tool covers every modelled country.
Bulgaria vs Cyprus, side by side
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 10%ⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“A flat tax rate of 10% applies to all personal income, with some exceptions.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 | 35%ⓘPwC Tax Summaries“72,001 and above: 35%”View source · accessed 2026-08-09 |
| Tax-residency day threshold | 183 daysⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“They reside in Bulgaria more than 183 days in any 12-month period. In this case, the individual becomes a Bulgarian tax resident in the calendar year in which the 183rd day was exceeded.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 | 183 daysⓘPwC Tax Summaries“individuals who spend more than 183 days in any one calendar year in Cyprus, without any further additional conditions/criteria being relevant.”View source · accessed 2026-08-09 |
| Signature tax regime | 10%ⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“A flat tax rate of 10% applies to all personal income, with some exceptions.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 | Non-dom status: 17 yearsⓘPwC Tax Summaries“the individual has been a tax resident of Cyprus for a period of at least 17 years out of the last 20 years”View source · accessed 2026-08-09 |
| Digital nomad visa | Yes — Digital nomad long-term residence permit (Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, Art. 24(1)(23) and Art. 24s)ⓘMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria (consolidated Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, as amended to SG 52/2025)“ако чужденецът докаже наличие на средногодишен доход в размер не по-малък от 50 (петдесет) минимални месечни работни заплати съгласно законодателството на Република България за предходната календарна година.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 | Yes |
| Nomad-visa income requirement | — | EUR 3,500 / monthⓘKPMG Cyprus“prove that they have stable and sufficient monthly net income of at least €3.500”View source · accessed 2026-08-09 |
Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Bulgaria · Cyprus.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulgaria or Cyprus better for tax?
It depends on your income, residency status and which special regime you qualify for. Compare the residency rules, rates and regimes side by side below, and use the interactive tool for your own income.
Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Bulgaria or Cyprus?
Bulgaria treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and Cyprus after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.
Does Bulgaria or Cyprus have a digital nomad visa?
Bulgaria has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa; Cyprus has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa (income requirement around EUR 3,500 / month). See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.