Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Bulgarian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Business / self-employment routes
• Retirement / pensioner residency
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

German residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
• Employer-sponsored work permits
• Entrepreneur visa
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

Slovak residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Start-up visa - innovative businesses
• Business / self-employment
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

OOD (LLC) and EOOD (single-shareholder LLC) are common structures. Formation is well-documented. Corporate tax is at a flat rate; VAT registration depends on activity.

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

S.R.O. (private limited) is the standard entity, with relatively low minimum capital and well-established formation processes. VAT registration depends on activity.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Resident banking is straightforward; corporate banking varies by activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

Family reunification is supported. International schools are available in Bratislava.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Bulgaria:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT classification on cross-border services
• Processing variations between regions
• Euro adoption is in progress - operational planning needed

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

• Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
• Late VAT registration on cross-border services
• Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
• Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes

Risks Bordercase watches for in Slovakia:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT registration timing for cross-border services
• Processing variations between districts

Typical Bulgarian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Bulgarian.

Typical German residency documents:

• Passport
• Recognised qualifications (where required)
• Contract or business plan
• Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

Typical Slovak residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Health insurance
• Employment or business documentation
• Family certificates with apostille and translation