Key takeaways
- Stricter enforcement: Bulgaria has introduced tougher penalties in 2024 for breaches of VAT and fiscalization laws.
- Higher fines: Individuals can face fines up to BGN 4,000, while legal entities may be fined up to BGN 40,000 for repeated violations.
- Broader scope: Penalties now apply not only to businesses but also to employees, importers, and fiscal device service providers.
In short: Bulgaria's 2024 VAT rules raised penalties for breaching VAT and fiscalization laws. Individuals can be fined up to BGN 4,000 and legal entities up to BGN 40,000 for repeated offenses. The fines also reach cashiers, importers, manufacturers and fiscal device service providers.
Update: Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so BGN amounts now convert to euro at the fixed rate of BGN 1.95583 per euro.
What are Bulgaria's new VAT and fiscalization penalties?
Bulgaria's new VAT penalties are higher fines for failing to comply with fiscalization and VAT laws and their obligations. They came with new VAT regulations introduced in 2024. The penalties for breaking VAT and fiscalization rules are now as follows:
1. If a person fails to provide a fiscal document or receipt, these penalties apply:
- Individuals will be fined between BGN 200 and BGN 1,000, whereas legal entities face fines ranging from BGN 1,000 to BGN 4,000.
- Subsequent fines: Individuals are subject to a fine ranging from BGN 400 to BGN 2,000, and legal entities or companies face fines from BGN 2,000 to BGN 8,000.
2. Penalties for other breaches of VAT regulations include fines from BGN 600 to BGN 2,000 for individuals, and from BGN 6,000 to BGN 20,000 for legal entities.
3. For repeated offenses, the fines increase to a range of BGN 1,200 to BGN 4,000 for individuals and BGN 12,000 to BGN 40,000 for legal entities.
4. When obligated individuals fail to issue fiscal receipts, fines range from BGN 200 to BGN 1,000.
5. A fine of BGN 10 applies for not keeping fiscal receipts.
6. Cashiers or employees who do not issue fiscal receipts face fines ranging from BGN 200 to BGN 1,000.
7. Fines also apply to manufacturers, importers, or individuals servicing fiscal devices.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new fines for VAT and fiscalization violations in Bulgaria?
Individuals can face fines between BGN 200 and BGN 4,000, while legal entities may be fined up to BGN 40,000 for repeated offenses.
Who is affected by these new penalties?
The regulations apply to individuals, companies, cashiers, importers, manufacturers, and fiscal device service providers who fail to comply with VAT or fiscalization laws.
What happens if a fiscal receipt is not issued or retained?
Failing to issue a fiscal receipt can result in fines from BGN 200 to BGN 1,000, while not retaining receipts carries a smaller fine of BGN 10.
