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    Salary Calculator - Gross / Net

    Calculate monthly gross and net salary, taxes and contributions in Bulgaria

    Enter data

    Enter gross or net salary to calculate

    € 2500
    2500
    € 0
    0

    Tax rules for 2026

    Income Tax:10%
    Minimum insurance threshold:€ 602
    Maximum insurance threshold:€ 2265

    Employee-paid contributions:

    Pension insurance:6.58%
    Health Insurance:3.20%
    Additional mandatory pension:2.20%
    Unemployment insurance:0.40%
    Illness and maternity insurance:1.40%

    Employer-paid contributions:

    Pension insurance:8.22%
    Health Insurance:4.80%
    Additional mandatory pension:2.80%
    Unemployment insurance:0.60%
    Illness and maternity insurance:2.10%
    How to Use This Calculator

    The salary calculator computes net salary from gross (and vice versa) for employment contracts in Bulgaria. It accounts for all mandatory social security contributions and income tax at current 2026 rates.

    1. 1

      Enter gross salary

      Enter the monthly gross salary in the "Gross Salary" field or use the slider. The minimum wage for 2026 is BGN 1,077, and the maximum insurable income is BGN 3,750.

      If you only know your net salary, enter it in the "Net Salary" field and the calculator will compute the gross amount.

    2. 2

      Select year

      Choose the calculation year from the dropdown menu. Insurance thresholds and rates change annually.

    3. 3

      Review the breakdown

      The calculator automatically displays: employee and employer contributions, income tax, and total cost to the employer.

    4. 4

      Compare different scenarios

      Add additional salary levels for comparison to see how different gross salaries affect net income.


    The calculator does not account for tax reliefs (for children, disabilities, etc.). For those, use the corresponding tax relief calculators.

    Formula & Methodology

    The calculation follows the procedure for determining net salary under Bulgarian law. Gross salary is reduced sequentially by social security contributions and income tax.

    Employee social contributions

    Contributions = Gross Salary × 13.78%

    Includes SSC (pension 6.58% + supplementary 2.2% + unemployment 0.4% + sickness 1.4%) and health insurance (3.2%). Contributions are calculated on amounts up to the maximum insurable income (BGN 3,750 for 2026).

    Source: Social Security Code Art. 6, Health Insurance Act Art. 40


    Income tax

    Tax = (Gross Salary − Employee Contributions) × 10%

    The tax base is the gross salary after deducting social contributions. The flat rate of 10% applies to all employment income.

    Source: Personal Income Tax Act Art. 42


    Net salary

    Net Salary = Gross − Contributions − Tax

    The final amount the employee receives in their bank account. For a gross salary of BGN 2,500, the net is approximately BGN 1,955.

    Worked Examples

    Below are sample calculations for typical salary levels in Bulgaria for 2026.

    Minimum wage

    A full-time employee at the minimum wage of BGN 1,077 gross.

    Inputs

    Gross salaryBGN 1,077
    Year2026

    Results

    Contributions (employee)BGN 148.41
    Income taxBGN 92.86
    Net salaryBGN 835.73
    Cost to employerBGN 1,273.93

    At minimum wage, the employee receives about 77.6% of gross pay, while the total employer cost is ~18.3% above gross salary.


    Average salary for Bulgaria

    An employee with a gross salary of BGN 2,300, close to the national average.

    Inputs

    Gross salaryBGN 2,300
    Year2026

    Results

    Contributions (employee)BGN 316.94
    Income taxBGN 198.31
    Net salaryBGN 1,784.75
    Cost to employerBGN 2,724.78

    At the average salary, net income is about 77.6% of gross. The employer pays an additional 18.5% in contributions on top of the gross salary.


    Salary above insurance ceiling

    A specialist earning BGN 5,000 gross — above the maximum insurable income of BGN 3,750.

    Inputs

    Gross salaryBGN 5,000
    Year2026

    Results

    Contributions (employee)BGN 516.75
    Income taxBGN 448.33
    Net salaryBGN 4,034.93
    Cost to employerBGN 5,737.00

    Contributions are capped at the BGN 3,750 ceiling. For salaries above this threshold, the effective contribution burden decreases, making higher salaries more tax-efficient.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is net salary calculated from gross?

    Net salary is calculated by deducting from gross salary:

    • Employee contributions (pension, health, additional pension, unemployment, general illness and maternity)
    • Income tax (10% of the taxable base)

    The taxable base is gross salary minus insurance contributions. The total tax burden is about 30-35% of gross salary.

    What are the insurance thresholds for 2026?

    For 2026, the insurance thresholds are:

    • Minimum threshold: 602 (this is the minimum wage for the country)
    • Maximum threshold: 2265

    Contributions are calculated on income within this range. If salary is below the minimum threshold, contributions are paid on the minimum threshold. If above the maximum, contributions are calculated only up to the maximum threshold.

    What is the ratio between gross and net salary?

    In Bulgaria, net salary typically represents:

    • 65-70% of gross for salaries in the medium range
    • 70-75% of gross for salaries above the maximum insurance threshold
    • ~67% for minimum wage

    For higher salaries, the percentage increases because contributions are calculated only up to the maximum threshold, while the 10% tax is paid on the entire taxable base.

    What are the employer's costs?

    The employer pays not only the gross salary, but also additional contributions:

    • Pension insurance: 8.22%
    • Health insurance: 4.8%
    • Additional pension: 2.8%
    • Unemployment: 0.6%
    • General illness and maternity: 2.1%

    Total employer costs are about 118-125% of gross salary, depending on insurance thresholds.

    What is the income tax in Bulgaria?

    Since 2008, Bulgaria has applied a flat tax of 10% on total income.

    Key features:

    • Tax is calculated on the taxable base (gross salary minus contributions)
    • It is the same for all income levels
    • One of the lowest taxes in the EU
    • No progressive rates apply as in most European countries
    Can I calculate gross salary from net?

    Yes, the calculator supports bidirectional calculation. Enter your desired net salary in the corresponding field and the calculator will automatically calculate the required gross salary, taking into account all contributions and taxes.

    What are the different types of insurance?
    Pension insurance (DOO):

    The largest part of contributions. Forms the future pension in the State Social Insurance.

    Health insurance (ZO):

    Provides access to free healthcare through the NHIF.

    Additional mandatory pension (DZP/Universal Fund):

    An investment pension fund managed by private pension companies. Mandatory for those born after 1959.

    Unemployment:

    Provides unemployment benefits through the Employment Agency.

    General illness and maternity:

    Covers sick leave and maternity/paternity leave.

    What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria?

    The minimum wage for 2026 is 602 (gross monthly salary).

    The employer cannot pay less than this amount to full-time employees. The minimum wage is updated annually by the Council of Ministers.

    For part-time work, the minimum wage is calculated proportionally to hours worked.

    How are bonuses and 13th salary taxed?

    Bonuses and premiums (including 13th salary) are taxed the same way as regular salary:

    • Subject to contributions (up to the insurance threshold for the month)
    • Subject to 10% income tax
    • Included in annual income for tax purposes

    If the salary and bonus in a given month exceed the maximum insurance threshold, contributions are paid only up to the threshold, but the 10% tax is calculated on the entire amount.

    How are vacation pay and sick leave taxed?
    Vacation pay:

    Taxed the same way as regular salary - with contributions and tax.

    Sick leave:
    • The first 3 days are paid by the employer (80% of gross salary)
    • From the 4th day, paid by NHIF (80% of gross)
    • Subject to tax, but no contributions are paid on them
    What are the advantages of employment contract vs. civil contract?

    Employment contract (Labor contract):

    • Full social protection (sick leave, vacation, maternity)
    • Contributions for pension and health
    • Work experience counts for pension
    • Protection under the Labor Code (compensation, notice periods)

    Civil contract (GPD/Service contract):

    • Fewer contributions (only pension and health when exceeding threshold)
    • No right to sick leave and vacation
    • Does not count as work experience
    • Lower costs for employer
    • Suitable for short-term projects
    Do I need to file an annual tax declaration?

    You are required to file an annual tax declaration if:

    • You have income from more than one employer during the year
    • You have income from self-employment (sole trader, freelance)
    • You have income from rent, dividends, interest
    • You have income over 12,000 EUR per year
    • You want to use tax reliefs (donations, mortgage, voluntary health insurance, etc.)

    The deadline for filing is April 30 of the following year. If you have only income from one employer below 12,000 EUR, it is not mandatory to file a declaration.

    What are the tax reliefs in Bulgaria?

    You can receive tax reliefs for:

    • Voluntary health insurance: up to 10% of annual income (max. 612 EUR/year)
    • Voluntary pension insurance: up to 10% of annual income (max. 612 EUR/year)
    • Donations: up to 65% of annual income for public benefit purposes
    • Mortgage interest: for home purchase, up to certain limits
    • Education/qualification: under certain conditions

    Reliefs are deducted from taxable income, resulting in a tax refund when filing an annual tax declaration.

    How is salary calculated for part-time work?

    For part-time work (half-time, 4 hours, etc.):

    • Salary is calculated proportionally to hours worked
    • Contributions are paid on the actual salary
    • Minimum wage is also proportional (e.g., for 50% employment - 301)
    • All taxes and contributions are applied the same way

    Standard working time in Bulgaria is 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.

    What is gross salary before contributions?

    There are three main salary levels:

    • Gross salary: The amount before all deductions (this is the agreed amount in the employment contract)
    • Taxable base: Gross minus employee contributions (tax is calculated on this)
    • Net salary: The final amount received after all deductions

    Many employers talk about gross salary, but employees receive net. To find out how much you will actually receive, use this calculator.

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    These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.

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