Bulgaria vs Croatia — VAT Rules Compared
Key VAT rules, thresholds, invoicing obligations and penalties in Bulgaria and Croatia, side by side with dated official sources.
| Rule | Bulgaria | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 20% | 25% |
| Reduced rates | 9% | 5%, 13% |
| Registration threshold | BGN 100,000 (~€51,000) | €39,816 annual turnover |
| Currency | BGN | EUR |
| Filing frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Invoice rules | Standard EU invoice requirements. Invoices must be in Bulgarian or bilingual. Fiscal receipts required for cash sales. | Mandatory fiscal cash registers. Invoices must include all standard EU fields. e-Invoice system for B2G. |
| Penalties | Penalty of 5% of VAT due per month, minimum BGN 500. Criminal liability for large-scale evasion. | Interest at 5.89% annually on late payments. Fines from €260 to €46,400 for non-compliance. |
| Specific regimes | Mandatory fiscal device for cash transactions · Reverse charge for grain and waste trading · Special scheme for tour operators | Mandatory fiscalization of all invoices · Reduced rate for tourism and hospitality · Special scheme for farmers |
| In force since | 01 Jan 1999 | 01 Mar 2012 |
| Last verified | 01 Sept 2026 | 01 Sept 2026 |
Main differences
Croatia applies the higher standard rate (25% vs 20%), a 5.0 point gap that directly affects consumer pricing. Registration starts at BGN 100,000 (~€51,000) in Bulgaria against €39,816 annual turnover in Croatia, and returns are filed monthly versus monthly.
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Disclaimer : This tool is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor for decisions regarding your tax situation.Source : EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC
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