Bulgaria vs Hungary: tax comparison for expats & nomads
A sourced head-to-head on Bulgaria and Hungary: 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 Hungary, side by side
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15%ⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“The PIT rate is 15% in the case of nearly all types of income.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 |
| 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 Worldwide Tax Summaries“one spends at least 183 days in Hungary in a calendar year, if one has no permanent home or a number of permanent homes in one or more countries as well as Hungary, and the centre of vital interests cannot be determined.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 |
| 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 | [source]PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Individuals under age 25 can apply this allowance with respect to certain incomes, but only up to maximum the gross national average income published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office for the July of the preceding year (HUF 693,740 for July 2025).”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 |
| 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 — White CardⓘNational Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF), Hungary“has a verified employment relationship in a country other than Hungary and performs his/her work from Hungary using an advanced digital technology solution, or”View source · accessed 2026-10-09 |
| Nomad-visa income requirement | — | — |
Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Bulgaria · Hungary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulgaria or Hungary 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 Hungary?
Bulgaria treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and Hungary 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 Hungary have a digital nomad visa?
Bulgaria has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa; Hungary has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.