Anyone renting out via Airbnb in Bulgaria? How do you handle taxes as an expat?

airbnbbulgariataxesexpats

Zoe_99

Joined:
11.12.2023
Posts: 853

Topic Starter

12.01.2025 09:40

I recently bought a small apartment in Plovdiv and I'm considering listing it on Airbnb to make some extra income during the summer months. As an expat living here, I'm completely lost on how the local tax system applies to short-term rentals. Do I need to register as a sole trader, or is there a simpler way to declare this income legally? I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience navigating Bulgarian tax laws for vacation rentals.

11 replies in this topic

Igor_Tech

Joined:
28.03.2024
Posts: 295

24.04.2025 09:13

Congrats on the apartment in Plovdiv! Plovdiv is a lovely city and tourism is definitely growing there.

SimpleMan

Joined:
31.03.2020
Posts: 1442

27.04.2025 06:23

You don't necessarily need to register as a full sole trader (ET) right away, as long as you are renting it out as a physical person.

greg_b

Joined:
20.02.2022
Posts: 1945

16.06.2025 08:02

In reply to a previous post

To add to what the previous user said, if you rent out residential property as an individual, the flat tax rate in Bulgaria is generally 10% on the rental income minus a 10% statutory expense deduction.

radek_c

Joined:
19.04.2022
Posts: 1000

11.07.2025 17:57

Make sure you check the local municipality tourist tax rules as well. Each municipality in Bulgaria has its own specific bed tax per night that you need to pay to the local town hall.

robert_d

Joined:
13.01.2022
Posts: 292

09.08.2025 00:14

In reply to a previous post

I second the comment about municipal taxes. In Plovdiv, the tourist tax is relatively low, but you still have to declare and pay it monthly.

Iggy_R

Joined:
19.03.2023
Posts: 1425

30.09.2025 02:29

Are you a tax resident in Bulgaria or somewhere else? That might complicate things if you have global income to report.

Tony_M

Joined:
09.02.2024
Posts: 801

18.10.2025 15:13

In reply to a previous post

To answer @user6, I am an EU expat and registered as a tax resident here, which made things much easier when dealing with the NRA (Bulgarian IRS).

tech_geek

Joined:
10.12.2023
Posts: 666

09.12.2025 23:01

Honestly, hiring a local accountant is the best peace of mind. They are not that expensive in Bulgaria, usually around 30-50 euros a month for something small.

chris_1982

Joined:
10.12.2021
Posts: 1357

27.12.2025 08:01

In reply to a previous post

Yeah, get an accountant. Bulgarian tax laws can be tricky with VAT if you cross certain thresholds or host through specific channels, though Airbnb handles a lot of it now.

questioner

Joined:
15.09.2024
Posts: 1349

28.01.2026 14:14

Don't forget that you also need to register your guests in the Unified Tourist Information System (EESTI) if you are doing short-term rentals. The police take this quite seriously.

Kate_J

Joined:
07.08.2021
Posts: 764

10.02.2026 19:21

In reply to a previous post

Good luck with the apartment! It sounds like a great investment if you manage the bureaucracy properly.

Anyone renting out via Airbnb in Bulgaria? How do you handle taxes as an expat?

Want to join the discussion?