“Bulgaria is seen by some investors as an attractive low-cost investment destination, with government incentives for new investment. The country offers some of the least expensive labor in the European Union (EU) and low and flat corporate and income taxes. Labor shortages and inflationary pressures, however, have increased wages and domestic prices,” reads a US Department of State report on the investment climate in Bulgaria in 2023. The report points to problems such as labour shortages, inflation, the increase in wages and domestic prices, the lowest labour productivity in the EU and rule of law. “There are no legal limits on foreign ownership or control of firms. With some exceptions, foreign entities are given the same treatment as national firms and their investments are not screened or otherwise restricted,” the analysis reads.

“The war in Ukraine disrupted supply chains, contributed to domestic inflation, and made investors more cautious, but it also creates opportunities in Bulgaria to effectively consolidate supply chains through nearshoring,” the US Department of State report reads.