So, you’re freelancer living in Bulgaria! Congratulations!
Everything you need to get money and be a correct permanent resident here is a contract for freelancing. It’s familiar, is it?
The good news: no big demand for freelance project through international sites from Bulgaria. The bad news: competition is the same.
Wherever you are, you have several ways to get paid as a freelancer or a consultant – checks, PayPal, credit cards or some other verified e-payment method like “Bulgarian PayPal” – the ePay.
Working as a freelancer (Bulgarian use a very smart notion “na parche” (per-piece, or ad hoc) or “chasprom” (private venture)) requires to declare it before certain institutions – the Registry Agency for BULSTAT number and National Revenue Agency (NAP in Bulgarian).
Why you need that?
For social insurance and all related things like permanent residence, medical insurance, GP subscription, kindergartens for children, etc.
And for taxes!
Do you remember the saying, nothing lasts forever but taxes?
The BULSTAT code number is a very good option if you need to issue bills or invoices. A BULSTAT code permits to everyone to work as a business entity without registering as a company. But if you work for international companies you should invoice for your services, you need to have a company registration because of VAT (Value Added Tax) practices.
Once you have a BULSTAT number and have started freelancing, you have to inform the NRA at the latest 7 days before your first payment comes in.
Believe me, it’s really important!
Freelance declaration to NRA counts also for your social security and taxation terms as a freelancer.
But don’t forget the taxes, each year you have to submit an annual tax return. Bulgarian tax system predisposes deductable activity costs (NPR – ne pe re) as a personal expense rate for freelancing, depending on the type of freelancing activity performed.
What else?
To be sure you will get your money ask for a “kaparo” (down payment). Per usual practice in Bulgaria, it can be 10 to 50 % on the contract price, not more.
And remember: most Bulgarian assignors believe they are fully competent on everything, especially concerning your freelance job.
And don’t forget! The information in English there topic is quite scarce, vague and almost only in Bulgarian.
