Bulgaria vs North Macedonia: Income Tax Compared (2026)
Bulgaria vs North Macedonia: tax rates, brackets, and take-home pay compared side by side.
| Metric |  Bulgaria |  North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | BGN | MKD |
| Top marginal rate | 10% | 10% |
| Standard deduction | лв0 | ден131,184 |
| Filing deadline | 31 May | 31 May |
Estimated at $75,000 USD-equivalent income
Bulgaria net income ≈ лв121,500 (10.0% effective rate)
North Macedonia net income ≈ ден3,860,618 (9.7% effective rate)
Take-home pay compared at four salary levels
Estimated Bulgaria and North Macedonia income tax on the same four salaries, set in US dollars and converted at approximate fixed reference rates (not live exchange rates). Income tax only: social contributions are not deducted.
| Salary | Bulgaria tax | Bulgaria take-home | North Macedonia tax | North Macedonia take-home | Lower effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | лв4,500 (10.0%) | лв40,500 | ден129,382 (9.1%) | ден1,295,618 | North Macedonia |
| $50,000 | лв9,000 (10.0%) | лв81,000 | ден271,882 (9.5%) | ден2,578,118 | North Macedonia |
| $100,000 | лв18,000 (10.0%) | лв162,000 | ден556,882 (9.8%) | ден5,143,118 | North Macedonia |
| $200,000 | лв36,000 (10.0%) | лв324,000 | ден1,126,882 (9.9%) | ден10,273,118 | North Macedonia |
Bulgaria Pros & Cons
- ✓Clear filing deadline: 31 May
- ✕Top earners face a marginal rate of up to 10%
- ✕Progressive brackets mean higher earners pay a larger share
North Macedonia Pros & Cons
- ✓ден131,184 standard deduction before tax applies
- ✓Clear filing deadline: 31 May
- ✕Top earners face a marginal rate of up to 10%
- ✕Progressive brackets mean higher earners pay a larger share
Frequently asked questions
At $75,000 income, how does take-home pay compare?+
On an estimated $75,000 USD-equivalent income, our calculator shows Bulgaria take-home of roughly лв121,500 (10.0% effective rate) versus North Macedonia's ден3,860,618 (9.7% effective rate). Use the calculator above with your own income for a personalized estimate.
How much tax would I pay moving from Bulgaria to North Macedonia?+
On a $75,000 USD-equivalent salary our estimate is an effective income tax rate of 10.0% in Bulgaria and 9.7% in North Macedonia, so moving from Bulgaria to North Macedonia, income tax would fall by roughly $230 a year. This compares income tax only: social contributions, residency rules, visas and cost of living are not included.
How much tax would I pay moving from North Macedonia to Bulgaria?+
On a $75,000 USD-equivalent salary our estimate is an effective income tax rate of 9.7% in North Macedonia and 10.0% in Bulgaria, so moving from North Macedonia to Bulgaria, income tax would rise by roughly $230 a year. This compares income tax only: social contributions, residency rules, visas and cost of living are not included.
Which has the higher top tax rate, Bulgaria or North Macedonia?+
Bulgaria and North Macedonia share the same estimated top marginal rate of 10%.
What's the standard deduction in each country?+
Bulgaria's estimated standard deduction is лв0, while North Macedonia's is ден131,184. A larger deduction reduces the income that's actually taxed.
Are these figures exact?+
No — these are estimates generated from a simplified model of each country's published tax brackets, intended for planning purposes. They don't account for every credit, allowance, or surcharge. Always confirm current-year figures with Bulgaria's and North Macedonia's official tax authorities before making a decision.
Compare Bulgaria with other countries
Compare North Macedonia with other countries
Figures shown are estimates for the current tax year and do not include every deduction, credit or surcharge that may apply. Always confirm with each country's official tax authority.