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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 BG flagBulgaria

Europe

TR flagTürkiye

Europe

DE flagGermany

Europe

OverviewBulgaria is an EU member state with competitive corporate tax, structured residency routes, and a well-developed digital infrastructure. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Bulgarian partners for filings.Türkiye offers a range of residency routes from short-term tourist residency to longer-term investor / family / work routes. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Turkish lawyers for filings.Germany is the largest EU economy and a strong destination for skilled professionals, founders, and remote workers (under specific routes). Bordercase coordinates with licensed German partners for filings.
Best for
  • Founders
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
  • Citizenship by investment
  • Cost of living
  • Regional residency
  • Families
  • Founders
  • Skilled workers
  • EU access
  • Families
CurrencyBGN / EUR transitionTRYEUR
LanguageBulgarianTurkishGerman
Time zoneUTC+2UTC+3UTC+1
EU memberYesNoYes
SchengenYesNoYes
Residency

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.

Türkiye residency routes:

  • Short-term residence permit (1-2 years, renewable)
  • Family permit
  • Work permit - employer-sponsored
  • Student permit
  • Citizenship-by-investment via real estate or qualifying deposits / investments

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).

Company setup

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.

Limited Şirket (LLC) and AŞ (Joint Stock) are common structures. Notary registration, tax registration, and a tax representative are typically required.

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.

Banking

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 broadly accessible; non-resident corporate banking has tightened. Source-of-funds and ownership clarity are central.

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.

Family

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

Family reunification is supported on most routes. International schools (English, German, French, Italian) are available in Istanbul and Ankara.

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

Risks

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 Türkiye:

  • Restricted residency zones (some districts no longer issue short-term residency to foreigners)
  • Currency volatility on investment routes
  • Shifting policy on the citizenship-by-investment programme
  • Banking documentation requirements tighten regularly

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
Documents

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 Türkiye documents:

  • Passport
  • Biometric photos
  • Proof of address
  • Proof of income or savings
  • Health insurance
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family

Documents apostilled and translated to Turkish.

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.

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.