Freelancers & Consultants: Bulgaria vs France VAT Rules

    How VAT obligations differ for freelancers & consultants between Bulgaria and France.

    CriterionBulgariaFrance
    Standard rate applied20%20%
    Registration thresholdBGN 100,000 (~€51,000)€85,800 (goods) / €34,400 (services)
    Filing frequencyMonthlyMonthly or quarterly
    Invoicing constraintsStandard EU invoice requirements. Invoices must be in Bulgarian or bilingual. Fiscal receipts required for cash sales.Invoices must include a sequential number, date, seller/buyer details, VAT number, description, and amounts. E-invoicing mandatory for B2B from 2026.
    Sector-relevant regimesMandatory fiscal device for cash transactions · Reverse charge for grain and waste trading · Special scheme for tour operatorsAuto-entrepreneur regime with simplified VAT · Special rules for DOM-TOM territories · E-invoicing mandate rolling out 2026-2027
    Penalty exposurePenalty of 5% of VAT due per month, minimum BGN 500. Criminal liability for large-scale evasion.10% surcharge for late filing, 40% for deliberate non-compliance, 80% for fraud.

    Typical use cases

    Digital Services
    Software development, design, marketing, and other digital deliverables.
    Consulting Services
    Management, strategy, and advisory consulting engagements.
    Creative Services
    Photography, videography, writing, and artistic services.
    Training & Coaching
    Professional training, workshops, and coaching sessions.
    Translation & Localization
    Translation, interpretation, and content localization services.

    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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