The gap is driven by the headline tax structure — no special regime applied. Both countries are indicated in USD at the displayed FX.
| Personal income tax progressive · top 10% | $10,000 |
| Social security 13.8% employee · capped | $3,794 |
| Total deductions | $13,794 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $86,206 |
| Personal income tax dn_visa · 0% flat | — |
| Social security 20.0% employee · uncapped | $20,000 |
| Total deductions | $20,000 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $80,000 |
| Instrument | Bulgaria · USD | Croatia · USD | Δ (HR − BG) |
|---|---|---|---|
I. Personal income tax | |||
Personal income tax BGprogressive · top 10%HRdn_visa · 0% flat | $10,000 | — | −$10,000 |
| subtotal · personal income tax | $10,000 | $0 | −$10,000 |
II. Mandatory social security & health | |||
~13.78% (pension 8.78% + health 3.2% + others). Cap BGN 4,130/mo → annual BGN 49,560. BG13.8% · capped лв49,560HR20.0% · uncapped | $3,794 | $20,000 | +$16,206 |
| subtotal · mandatory social security & health | $3,794 | $20,000 | +$16,206 |
| Total deductions | $13,794 | $20,000 | +$6,206 |
| Effective rate | 13.8% | 20.0% | 6.2 pp |
| Gross income | $100,000 | $100,000 | — |
| Net take-home | $86,206 | $80,000 | −$6,206 |
Table 1 · Statutory deductions, single-filer remote worker, FY2026 indicative. All amounts in USD. n/a where instrument does not apply. | |||
| PPP basis · NYC = 100 | Bulgaria | Croatia | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost-of-living index Indicative · placeholder until COL table ships | 42.0 | 50.0 | +8.0 pts |
Nominal net (annual) From the engine — exact | $86,206 | $80,000 | −$6,206 |
| Real net · Croatia basket | $102,626 | $80,000 | −$22,626 |
Every line above can be traced to a primary instrument. We publish the model; you may toggle its parameters.
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