Investment in Bulgaria 2017

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Investment in Bulgaria 2017 130 | Investment in Bulgaria 2017 Investment in Bulgaria 2017 KPMG in Bulgaria kpmg.com/bg Investment in Bulgaria Edition 2017 Investment in Bulgaria 2017 | 3 Preface Investment in Bulgaria is one of a series of booklets published by firms within the KPMG network to provide information to those considering investing or doing business internationally. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information presented in this publication is correct and reflects the situation as of May 2017 unless otherwise stated. Its purpose is to provide general guidelines on investment and business in Bulgaria. As the economic situation is undergoing rapid change, further advice should be sought before making any specific decisions. For further information on matters discussed in this publication, please contact Gergana Mantarkova, Managing Partner. KPMG in Bulgaria Sofia Varna Burgas 45/A Bulgaria Boulevard 3 Sofia Street, floor 2 2B Serdika Street, floor 2 1404 Sofia 9000 Varna 8000 Burgas Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 96 97 300 Tel: +359 52 699 650 Tel: +359 56 826 086 Fax: +359 2 96 97 878 Fax: +359 52 611 502 Fax: +359 2 96 97 878 [email protected] kpmg.com/bg 4 | Investment in Bulgaria 2017 Contents General Information .......................................................................................................... 7 Population and language ...........................................................................................................7 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................7 Internet .................................................................................................................................... 11 Currency ..................................................................................................................................12 Labor force ..............................................................................................................................12 Political system........................................................................................................................12 Opportunities created via EU funding .....................................................................................13 Bulgaria and NATO ..................................................................................................................14 Economy .................................................................................................................................14 Restrictions with regard to offshore companies .....................................................................16 Opportunities for International Investors .......................................................................18 Protection and promotion of foreign investments ..................................................................18 Eligibility for investment incentives.........................................................................................21 Profit and capital repatriation ..................................................................................................22 Establishment of new business entities or acquisition of shares in existing entities........................................................................................................22 Branches .................................................................................................................................23 Representative offices ............................................................................................................23 Capital markets .......................................................................................................................23 Concessions ............................................................................................................................24 Licensing .................................................................................................................................24 Renewable energy ..................................................................................................................26 Banking and finance ................................................................................................................28 © 2017 KPMG Bulgaria OOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Investment in Bulgaria 2017 | 5 Company Law .................................................................................................................. 30 Rules applicable to all forms of business association .............................................................30 Limited liability company (OOD) .............................................................................................34 Joint-stock company (AD) .......................................................................................................36 Other forms of business association ......................................................................................39 Commercial Register ..............................................................................................................40 Real Estate ....................................................................................................................... 42 Types of ownership over real estate .......................................................................................42 Condominium ownership management .................................................................................43 Evidence of title ......................................................................................................................43 Acquisition of real estate ........................................................................................................44 Project development ...............................................................................................................45 Participants in the development process ................................................................................48 Accounting and Auditing ................................................................................................ 52 Accounting ..............................................................................................................................52 Auditing and reporting .............................................................................................................56 Taxation ............................................................................................................................ 60 Corporate tax ...........................................................................................................................60 Taxation of individuals .............................................................................................................70 EU social security ....................................................................................................................75 Property transfer, gift, inheritance and tourist taxes ...............................................................76 Value added tax .......................................................................................................................77 Customs duties .......................................................................................................................88 Excise duties ...........................................................................................................................90 Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) ...................................................................................................91 Employment Regulations ............................................................................................... 92 Legislation ...............................................................................................................................92 Employment contracts ............................................................................................................92 Working hours .........................................................................................................................94 © 2017 KPMG Bulgaria OOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. 6 | Investment in Bulgaria 2017 Holidays ...................................................................................................................................94 Medical check-ups ...................................................................................................................95 Healthy and safe working conditions ......................................................................................95 Posting or sending of employees from Bulgaria to EU/EEA/Switzerland in the framework of provision of services ..............................................................................96 Termination of employment contracts ....................................................................................96 Foreign nationals working in Bulgaria .....................................................................................97 Foreign Nationals ...........................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • PHD THESIS-DISTRIBUTEDELECTR Photo Credits Totheauthor Ifnototherwisestated
    A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy Central European University In partial fulfilment of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: POLICIES, BARRIERS AND PROSPECTS FOR DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN BULGARIA By: Gergana Miladinova Supervisors: CEU eTD Collection Prof. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Central European University Dr. Christian Jardine, University of Oxford Prof. Alexios Antypas, Central European University February, 2008 Budapest PHD THESIS - DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN BULGARIA Notes on copyright and the ownership of intellectual property rights: (1) Copyright in text of this thesis rests with the Author. Copies (by any process) either in full, or of extracts, may be made only in accordance with instructions given by the Author and lodged in the Central European University Library. Details may be obtained from the Librarian. This page must form part of any such copies made. Further copies (by any process) of copies made in accordance with such instructions may not be made without the permission (in writing) of the Author. (2) The ownership of any intellectual property rights which may be described in this thesis is vested in the Central European University, subject to any prior agreement to the contrary, and may not be made available for use by third parties without the written permission of the University, which will prescribe the terms and conditions of any such agreement. (3) For bibliographic and reference purposes this thesis should be referred to as: Miladinova, G. 2007. Developing sustainable energy systems: policies, barriers and prospects for distributed electricity generation in Bulgaria. Dissertation, Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, Budapest.
    [Show full text]
  • Committee on Regional Development the Secretariat
    COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT THE SECRETARIAT October 2008 REPORT of the Committee on Regional Development's Delegation to Bulgaria from 30 September to 2 October 2008 European Parliament - Committee on Regional Development - The Secretariat SUMMARY Visit to Bulgaria to meet with Government Ministers and officials as well as the leaders of local administrations responsible for regional Subject development projects. Under the 2006 regulations the whole of Bulgaria qualifies for assistance under the Convergence objective. The field missions had the following main objectives: - To discuss with Ministers, relevant officials and local authorities the future implementation of the Regional development Operational Programme and sectoral programmes as well as to discuss with them any problems they may have. Main objectives - To acquaint members of the delegation with the specific problems of Bulgaria and see in situ some successful projects executed with pre-accession funds and discuss the implementation of operational programmes which are just starting up. Date 30 September to 02 October 2008 Sofia, Gorna Orjahovica, Arbanasi, Balchik, Varna Places Chairman Gerardo Galleote, Chair of the Regional Development Committee. The list of participants is attached in the annex. 2 of 11 European Parliament - Committee on Regional Development - The Secretariat BACKGROUND On the initiative of the Bulgarian Vice President of the Committee on Regional Development Mr Evgeni KIRILOV (PSE), the committee decided to send a delegation to Bulgaria. It was the last out of three delegation trips of the REGI Committee scheduled for 2008. Bulgaria is of particular interest to the Members of the Regional Development Committee for a number of reasons: Together with Romania, Bulgaria is the first Balkan country to join the European Union in the latest phase of the ongoing enlargement process.
    [Show full text]
  • Horizontal Issues and Legislative Procedures on 3Rd August, a Meeting of the Development Council Was Carried Out
    Implementation of the Structural funds in Bulgaria Monthly brief, August-September 2011 Horizontal issues and legislative procedures On 3rd August, a meeting of the Development Council was carried out. There was a discussion on the priorities of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020 (NDP), which were finally approved. On 20th September a meeting-discussion of the Inter-institutional Working group for the elaboration of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020 was hold. The meeting included a presentation by an expert from the OECD, Mr. Jose Enrique Garcilazo, who presented some analytical findings of the publication Regional Outlook 2011, which provided important information that would be helpful in the process of preparation of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020. On 27th September, a Round Table „From National Goals and Priorities of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020 to Partnership Contract for Development and Investments 2014-2020” was hold in Sofia. A public discussion concerning the elaboration of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020, its strategic goals and priorities, and the main areas of interventions, where the policy’ effects will be most important for the development of the country took place. The main participants of the academic society of the country were invited in the event and expressed their opinion on the process of preparation of the document. Regarding the financial corrections mechanism, a permanent interministerial work group for supporting the managing authorities will be established. The main tasks of the work group will be to discuss different cases where financial corrections will be imposed and to support methodologically the Managing Authorities regarding the process of imposing financial corrections under the OPs.
    [Show full text]
  • Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 121
    Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 121 Investment in Bulgaria 2018 KPMG in Bulgaria kpmg.com/bg © 2018 KPMG Bulgaria EOOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Investment in Bulgaria Edition 2018 Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 3 Preface Investment in Bulgaria is one of a series of booklets published by firms within the KPMG network to provide information to those considering investing or doing business internationally. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information presented in this publication is correct and reflects the situation as of April 2018 unless otherwise stated. Its purpose is to provide general guidelines on investment and business in Bulgaria. As the economic situation is undergoing rapid change, further advice should be sought before making any specific decisions. For further information on matters discussed in this publication, please contact Gergana Mantarkova, Managing Partner. KPMG in Bulgaria Sofia Varna 45/A Bulgaria Boulevard 3 Sofia Street, floor 2 1404 Sofia 9000 Varna Bulgaria Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 96 97 300 Tel: +359 52 699 650 Fax: +359 2 96 97 878 Fax: +359 52 611 502 [email protected] kpmg.com/bg © 2018 KPMG Bulgaria EOOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Biofuels in Bulgaria
    Bioenergy Fact Sheet Last Update 2020 Biofuels in Bulgaria OVERVIEW Bulgaria is located in the Eastern section of the Balkan Peninsula. Bulgaria has served as a member of NATO and as a member state within the EU since January 2007. Even after the transition process to a free democracy and market economy took place over 30 years ago, the country is still suffering from chronic political instability, as well as an overall underdeveloped economy. Bulgaria has the lowest GDP per capita out of all Member States within the EU (Table 1). The energy sector in Bulgaria is one of the most important sectors in the country, crucial for the country’s political and economic stability. The government therefore regulates the market in consideration of electric power for private use. Despite the fact that the price of electricity in Bulgaria is the lowest in the EU (due to the low level of income), the general public is overall very sensitive to rising prices. On the other hand, the country’s coal mining industry is currently contributing to the creation of thousands of jobs in specific regions. The total production of primary energy in Bulgaria in 2017 was about 11.7 M toe, which covers around 60% of the country’s total energy consumption (18.9 M toe) while the remaining 40% is derived from importations1. It should be mentioned, however, that Bulgaria’s energy dependence in consideration of imports is lower than that of the average Member States within the EU. The major element of the primary energy mix actually relies on local fuels and brown coal (48.6%) followed by nuclear energy (33.7%), which is also technically considered a local source.
    [Show full text]
  • First Investment Bank AD Points for Servicing Customers of the 'Corporate Commercial Bank'
    First Investment Bank AD Points for servicing customers of the 'Corporate Commercial Bank' Points for Type of Customers Name of Business hours (Monday servicing Address servicecash/ Individual/ branch/office through Friday) customers non-cash Corporate Asenovgrad Asenovgrad Asenovgrad 4230, 3, Nickolay Haytov Sq. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Balchik Balchik Balchik 9600, 25, Primorska St. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Bansko Bansko Bansko 2770, 68, Tzar Simeon St. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Bansko Bansko Municipality Bansko 2770, 12, Demokratziya Sq. 9:00 - 12:00 + 13:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Bansko Strazhite Bansko 2770, 7, Glazne St. 9:00 - 22:00 (15.12-30.03), cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. 9:00 – 17:30 (01.12-14.12 и 31.03-15.04), 9:00 - 13:00 + 14:00 - 17:30 (16.04-30.11) Belene Belene Belene 5930, 2, Ivan Vazov St. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Blagoevgrad Blagoevgrad Blagoevgrad 2700, 11, Kiril i Metodiy Blvd. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Blagoevgrad GUM Blagoevgrad 2700, 6, Trakia St. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Borovets Rila Hotel Borovets 2010, Rila Hotel 9:00 –19:00 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Botevgrad Botevgrad Botevgrad 2140, 5, Osvobozhdenie Sq. 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Burgas Bratya Miladinovi Burgas 8000, Zh. k. (Quarter) Bratya 9:00 - 17:30 cash/ non- cash ind./ corp. Miladinovi, bl. 117, entr. 5 Burgas Burgas Burgas 8000, 58, Alexandrovska St.
    [Show full text]
  • Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Energy 1/73 Fifth
    REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA MINISTRY OF ENERGY FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT ON BULGARIA’S PROGRESS IN THE PROMOTION AND USE OF ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES Drafted in accordance with Article 22(1) of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources on the basis of the model for Member State progress reports set out in Directive 2009/28/EC December 2019 1/73 REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA MINISTRY OF ENERGY TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS USED ..................................................................................................................................4 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT ............................................................................................................................5 1. Shares (sectoral and overall) and actual consumption of energy from renewable sources in the last 2 years (2017 and 2018) (Article 22(1) of Directive 2009/28/EC) ........................................................................6 2. Measures taken in the last 2 years (2017 and 2018) and/or planned at national level to promote the growth of energy from renewable sources, taking into account the indicative trajectory for achieving the national RES targets as outlined in your National Renewable Energy Action Plan. (Article 22(1)(a) of Directive 2009/28/EC) ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.a Please describe the support schemes and other measures currently in place that are applied to promote energy from renewable sources and report on any developments in the measures used with respect to those set out in your National Renewable Energy Action Plan (Article 22(1)(b) of Directive 2009/28/EC) ..................... 18 2.b Please describe the measures in ensuring the transmission and distribution of electricity produced from renewable energy sources and in improving the regulatory framework for bearing and sharing of costs related to grid connections and grid reinforcements (for accepting greater loads).
    [Show full text]
  • Geothermal Energy Use, Country Update for Bulgaria (2014-2018)
    European Geothermal Congress 2019 Den Haag, The Netherlands, 11-14 June 2019 Geothermal Energy Use, Country Update for Bulgaria (2014-2018) Vladimir Hristov1, Boryana Deneva2, Simeon Valchev1, Aleksey Benderev1 1 Geological Institute - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 24, Sofia, Bulgaria 2 BORDO Engineering, Ricardo Vakarini Str., Bl. 4, Sofia, Bulgaria [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Keywords: geothermal fields, geothermal utilization remains of buildings and bathing facilities from that time were revealed. ABSTRACT The capital of Bulgaria, the city of Sofia, is one of the The main objective of this paper is to provide an update three capitals in Europe, together with Reykjavik for the development of geothermal energy use in (Iceland) and Budapest (Hungary), which was founded Bulgaria by comparing the periods 2009-2013 and around a thermal water source in ancient times – this 2014-2018. The temperature of geothermal water natural spring in the city of Sofia still exists and is (natural springs and wells) in Bulgaria varies in the called Sofia-Centre Spring. range 25ºC-100ºC and the total flow rate is up to about 3,000 L/s. More than 170 geothermal fields are located all over the country: 102 of them are state-owned, the rest were conceded to several municipalities for a period of 25 years. About 72% of the total resources are of comparatively low temperature - up to 50ºC at the surface. Flow rates of most of the sources vary from 1 L/s to 20 L/s. Total dissolved solids (TDS) are in the range between 0.1 g/L and 1.0 g/L for most geothermal sources in Southern Bulgaria, while in Northern Bulgaria TDS is significantly higher - the maximum measured is up to 150 g/L.
    [Show full text]
  • Hemus Motorway
    PROJECT Hemus motorway Funding: National (Bulgaria) Duration: Jan 1992 - Dec 2020 Status: Complete Background & policy context: The route of the "Hemus" highway is part of the European road network connection to Corridor IV west to Corridor IX near Veliko Tarnovo. The realization of the highway will allow for connection of eastern and western parts of Bulgaria with the trans-European network. "Hemus" highway is seen as a strategic project, under whose impact is expected to accelerate the process of economic and social cohesion at regional level. Its construction will affect regional economies of the three planning regions of Bulgaria - North-West, North-Central and North-East, with a favourable impact on the business and creating new jobs. The total population that will benefit from improved infrastructure is approximately 2.9 million. People over an area of ​almost 44 percent of the country. "Hemus" highway will connect the capital of the country - Sofia with the Bulgarian sea capital - Varna as duplicate class roads E70 from Varna to Shumen, E772 from Shumen to Jablanica Jablanica and E83 from Sofia. The expected length of the highway is about 420 km. Currently in operation are the sections "junction" Yana "-okolovrasten road Sofia - Jablanica" and ". Belokopitovo - Shumen - Varna "with a total length of about 170 km. "Hemus" highway will be east-west link in northern Bulgaria and Varna port, a key location for trade with Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. Objectives: Missing sections of the 'Hemus' highway starts from the town. Jablanica, Lovech region, west and ends at p. Belokopitovo, Shumen district, east and has a length of about 252 km.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Transport Strategy for the Period Until 2030
    INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STRATEGY FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL 2030 MAY 2017 Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 I. INTRODUCTION 13 II. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 13 2.1 EUROPEAN UNION TRANSPORT POLICY 13 2.2. NATIONAL TRANSPORT POLICY 17 2.3 NATIONAL STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS 19 III. NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES 21 IV. SITUATION ANALYSIS 22 4.1 DATABASE 22 4.1.1 ORGANISATION FOR DATA COLLECTION 22 4.1.2 ASSESSMENT OF THE DATA 24 4.1.3 ELECTRONIC DATABASE 26 4.2 MACROECONOMIC, DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS 28 4.2.1 MACROECONOMIC ANALYSIS 28 4.2.2 DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 34 4.2.3 SOCIAL ANALYSIS 39 4.2.4 INDUSTRY 40 4.2.5 INTERNATIONAL TRADE 50 4.2.6 TRASNPORT AND ENVIRONMENT 57 4.3 RAILWAY TRANSPORT 62 4.3.1 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 62 4.3.2 PERFORMANCE AND VOLUME INDICATORS OF Rail TRANSPORT 62 4.3.3 MARKET STRUCTURE 66 4.3.4 RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE 81 4.3.5 ROLLING STOCK 87 4.3.6 SAFETY AND SECURITY 88 4.3.7 INTEROPERABILITY 88 4.3.8 INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 89 4.4 ROAD TRANSPORT 91 4.4.1 PERFORMANCE AND VOLUME INDICATORS OF ROAD TRANSPORT 91 4.4.2 MARKET STRUCTURE 91 4.4.3 ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE 105 4.4.4 SAFETY AND SECURITY 115 4.4.5 ANALYSIS OF THE ROAD VEHICLES STRUCTURE AND CONDITION 116 4.5 MARITIME AND INLAND TRANSPORT 117 4.5.1 INDICATORS FOR THE WORK AND VOLUME OF TRANSPORT IN THE PORTS 117 4.5.2 MARKET STRUCTURE OF SEA AND RIVER TRANSPORT 118 4.5.3 PORT INFRASTRUCTURE 120 4.5.5 ACCESIBILITY OF TRANSPORT SERVICeS 131 4.5.6 SAFETY AND SECURITY 133 4.6 TRANSPORT 135 4.6.1 PERFORMANCE
    [Show full text]
  • A Vision for Bulgaria Based on INFORSE's Sustainable Energy Vision, -Background Note
    A vision for Bulgaria based on INFORSE's Sustainable Energy Vision, -Background note, 21/11-08 This background note gives an overview of the potentials for renewable energy and energy efficiency that is used in the sustainable energy vision developed by International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE) – Europe and ZaZemiata. The vision includes growth in most sectors. The energy unit used is PJ (Petajoule = 1000 TJ – Terrajoule = 0.278 TWh) All comments are welcome. Table of Contents 1. General Information on Bulgaria................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Population data...............................................................................................................................2 1.2 Natura 2000 Nature Protection areas .............................................................................................3 2 Renewable Energy........................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Official Renewable Energy Potentials ..........................................................................................4 2.2 Windpower:....................................................................................................................................4 2.3 Solar Energy...................................................................................................................................6 2.4 Biomass ........................................................................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Bulgaria 01 2019-20 Better Governance, Better Economies
    TRANSITION REPORT COUNTRY ASSESSMENTS: BULGARIA 01 2019-20 BETTER GOVERNANCE, BETTER ECONOMIES Highlights BULGARIA • Growth has remained solid during 2019. The economy grew by an estimated 3.1 per cent in 2018, following an average growth rate of 3.8 per cent in 2015-17. The economy grew robustly at 4.2 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2019. • Reforms in the energy sector have continued. Bulgaria is also developing a number of gas infrastructure projects, with the aim of becoming a major gas hub and transit route in the region. • Steps have been taken to advance Bulgaria’s integration into the financial architecture of the European Union (EU). Bulgaria is aiming to join the eurozone and has officially announced its intention to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) and the EU’s banking union simultaneously. Key priorities for 2020 • Reforms needed to prepare the country for joining ERM II and the EU’s banking union should be stepped up. While Bulgaria consistently meets the macroeconomic requirements to become part of ERM II, the authorities should remain committed to key structural reforms needed to achieve this goal. • Bulgaria should continue working on implementation of the commitments within the framework of the EU’s Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). According to the latest CVM report, the European Commission considers that the progress made by Bulgaria under the mechanism is sufficient to meet the country’s commitments made at the time of its accession to the EU. • Reforms on improving the business environment need to be implemented.
    [Show full text]