Head-to-head · tax residents 2026
Bulgaria or Panama: which should you move to?
Two of Europe's top relocation targets, both with newcomer regimes. Here is how they compare on the taxes that move the needle.
Tell us your country, income and net worth. The verdict above and the cost, flight time and "who wins" all update for you.
We'll send a personalised Bulgaria or Panama report for your exact situation, plus a free intro to a vetted advisor in whichever fits you best. No spam.
| Factor |  Bulgaria ↗ |  Panama ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| Top personal income tax | 10% | 25% |
| Corporate tax | 10%* | 25%* |
| Capital gains tax | Taxed | Taxed |
| Dividend tax | 5% | 10% |
| VAT / sales tax | 20% | 7% |
| Wealth tax | No | No |
| Inheritance tax | Yes | No |
| Foreign income | Partly exempt | Territorial |
| Headline expat regime | 10% Flat Personal Income Tax | Territorial taxation |
| Cost of living (vs your country) | 23 | 45 |
| Population | 6,433,302 | 4,571,189 |
| Area | 110,910 km² | 78,200 km² |
| Population density | 58/km² | 58/km² |
| Airports (large + medium) | 9 | 8 |
| Annual tourists | 4,973,000 | 647,000 |
| Flight time from your country | · | · |
| Direct flight likely? | · | · |
| Life expectancy | 75.8 yrs | 79.8 yrs |
| Safety (homicides/100k) | 1.1 | 11.7 |
| Happiness (0-10) | 5.1 | 6.3 |
| Corruption index (higher = cleaner) | 44/100 | 35/100 |
| Double-tax treaties (approx) | ~70 | ~17 |
| Internet speed (median fixed) | 94 Mbps | 219 Mbps |
| Healthcare spend / person | $1,258 | $1,558 |
| Air quality (PM2.5, lower=better) | 19.68 | 15.12 |
| Time zone (approx) | UTC+2 | UTC-5 |
| Digital nomad visa | · | Yes |
| Official languages | 1 (Bulgarian) | 1 (Spanish) |
Green = more favourable. Cost of living shown as a percentage of your home country (under 100% = cheaper than home). Tax data: compiled by us, being re-verified; cost of living: World Bank PPP; area & population: GeoNames; life expectancy & homicide rate: World Bank.
* Bulgaria: Flat 10% CIT on worldwide income of residents; lowest headline rate in the EU. EU Pillar Two (15% minimum) applies to in-scope large groups from 2024/2025. · Panama: Territorial: only Panamanian-source income taxed. Companies with taxable income over USD 1.5M face CAIR alternative minimum tax (greater of normal base or 4.67% of gross taxable income).
Frequent Bulgaria and Panama comparisons
People comparing Bulgaria and Panama also look at these.
Not sure which fits your numbers?
Your income mix decides this, not the headline rate. Get a projection for your situation and a vetted advisor in both countries.
Get my personalised comparison →