Crypto tax in Bulgaria in 2026: a guide for individuals

On paper, Bulgaria's crypto tax rules are short: a flat 10% rate, an automatic 10% deduction and one return a year. The work is in the detail. You need a price for every deal in euro, a record of what each coin cost and a clear idea of which transactions count. This guide walks through the rules for individuals resident in Bulgaria in 2026, with a worked example. It is not tax advice: for large amounts, mining, staking or business activity, talk to an accountant.

Is crypto taxed in Bulgaria in 2026?

Yes. The National Revenue Agency (NRA) classifies income from selling or exchanging crypto-assets as "income from transfer of rights or property" under Article 10, paragraph 1, item 5 of the Personal Income Tax Act (ЗДДФЛ). It is not among the exempt incomes listed in Article 13.

The Act defines crypto-assets by reference to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Act (§ 1, item 63 of its supplementary provisions), which follows the EU MiCA regulation. In practice that covers bitcoin, ether, other tokens and stablecoins such as USDC and EURC.

Since 1 January 2024 the law names crypto-assets explicitly in Article 33, paragraph 3, next to shares and other financial assets. From 2026 all amounts are in euro, because Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026.

Which crypto transactions are taxable?

Article 33, paragraph 3 taxes the result of a sale or exchange. That gives a practical list:

Two details matter for stablecoin users. First, a stablecoin swap is still an exchange, even if both tokens are worth about one dollar. Second, USDC tracks the dollar, not the euro. If you buy USDC when a dollar costs EUR 0.92 and sell it when it costs EUR 0.87, you have a loss in euro even though the USDC price did not move. The same article also covers trading in currencies other than the euro.

How is the taxable income calculated?

The formula comes straight from the law:

1. For each deal, the gain or loss is the sale price minus the acquisition price (Article 33, paragraph 4). The sale price includes everything received, including non-cash consideration such as another token (paragraph 5).
2. Add all gains of the year and subtract all losses of the year (paragraph 3).
3. Reduce the net result by 10% statutory expenses (paragraph 3).
4. Multiply by the 10% tax rate (Article 48, paragraph 1).

The income is treated as acquired on the date of the transfer (Article 11, paragraph 2). Money income in another currency is converted to euro at the reference rate published by the Bulgarian National Bank for that date (Article 10, paragraph 3). Keep the BNB rate for each date on which you sold or exchanged a dollar-denominated asset.

What if I bought the same coin at different prices?

If you hold units of the same crypto-asset bought at different prices and cannot prove which ones you sold, Article 33, paragraph 4 requires a weighted average acquisition price. Example: you bought 1 ETH for EUR 2,000 and later 1 ETH for EUR 3,000. You sell 1 ETH for EUR 2,800. The weighted average cost is EUR 2,500, so the gain on that deal is EUR 300.

A worked example: crypto tax for 2026

Maria, a Sofia resident, made three deals in 2026. All amounts are converted to euro on the deal date.

The calculation:

1. Gains: 600 + 100 = EUR 700.
2. Losses: EUR 200.
3. Net result: 700 - 200 = EUR 500.
4. Minus 10% statutory expenses: 500 - 50 = EUR 450.
5. Tax at 10%: EUR 45.

Maria pays EUR 45, which is 9% of her EUR 500 net gain. Note that the USDC she received in the second deal now has an acquisition price of EUR 1,000 for any later sale. You can run your own numbers in the crypto tax calculator.

When and how do I declare crypto in Bulgaria?

• Form. The annual tax return under Article 50 ЗДДФЛ. The NRA says crypto deals go in Annex 5 of that return.
• Filing window. From 10 January to 30 April of the year after the income (Article 53, paragraph 1). For 2026 income: by 30 April 2027.
• Payment. By 30 April of the year after the income (Article 67, paragraph 5).
• Advance tax. None. The NRA states that no advance tax is due on income from selling or exchanging crypto-assets.
• Corrections. If you find a mistake after the deadline, Article 53, paragraph 2 allows one corrected return by 30 September of the same year.

The NRA publishes the return and its annexes for each tax year. Check the current form before filing, as the layout of tables can change.

What if I trade crypto as a business?

The NRA points out a separate case. If your activity makes you a trader under the Commerce Act, whether or not you are registered, the income is business income. It is declared in Annex 2 of the annual return, not Annex 5, and the income is calculated under the rules for business income rather than under Article 33, paragraph 3. Whether you count as a trader depends on the facts of your activity, so get professional advice if crypto trading is your main occupation.

What records does the NRA expect?

You do not attach documents to the return. The NRA says you must keep them for 5 years after the limitation period for the tax expires. A good file contains:

1. Exchange and broker statements for each year, exported as CSV or PDF.
2. Wallet addresses you own and their transaction histories.
3. Bank statements showing euro in and out.
4. The BNB rate used for each dollar-denominated deal.
5. Your calculation, deal by deal, showing acquisition price, sale price and result.

What changes with DAC8 reporting from 2026?

The EU directive known as DAC8 extends automatic exchange of tax information to crypto-assets from 1 January 2026. Bulgaria added the rules to the Tax and Social Insurance Procedure Code (ДОПК): Parliament adopted the amending act on 9 September 2026, and it applies from 1 January 2026.

Under the new rules, reporting crypto providers (firms licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Act, banks providing crypto services and other covered operators) send the NRA each user's identity, tax residence and tax number, together with yearly totals of purchases, sales and exchanges per crypto-asset. Reports are due once a year by 30 June of the following year, so the first report covering 2026 is due by 30 June 2027. Existing users as of 31 December 2025 have until 1 January 2027 to complete the provider's due diligence checks.

In practice, this means the NRA will see totals your provider reports and can compare them with your Annex 5. See the DAC8 glossary entry and our DAC8 news post.

A checklist before you file

1. Export every statement for the year from each exchange, app and wallet.
2. List each sale and exchange with date, acquisition price and sale value in euro.
3. Apply the weighted average where you cannot match specific units.
4. Net gains and losses, deduct 10%, apply 10%.
5. Fill in Annex 5 of the annual return and file by 30 April.
6. Pay by 30 April and keep your file for the full retention period.