Bulgaria – United Kingdom Tax Treaty
The Bulgaria-United Kingdom tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 15% for portfolio investors and 5% for qualifying direct investment, with interest payments fully exempt at 0%. Royalties are taxed at a uniform 0% across all categories. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 3 active treaties in Bulgaria's network and one of 54 in United Kingdom's. The general dividend rate of 15% compares to a median of 15% across Bulgaria's network and 15% across United Kingdom's.
Verified data
HMRC Tax Treaties Collection (gov.uk) (Verified April 2026)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: United Kingdom Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (United Kingdom) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 15% | 0% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 5% | 0% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 0%saves 20% | 20% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 0% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (United Kingdom)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 15% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 5% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 0%.
Source: United Kingdom Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 0% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 20% statutory rate. Interest is fully exempt from source-country withholding under this treaty.
Source: United Kingdom Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 0% to 0%.
Source: United Kingdom Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: United Kingdom Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇧🇬Bulgaria's Network
Among Bulgaria's 3 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 3rd (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| United States | 10% |
| Canada | 15% |
| United Kingdom (this treaty) | 15% |
🇬🇧United Kingdom's Network
Among United Kingdom's 54 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 10th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Austria | 15% |
| Australia | 15% |
| Belgium | 15% |
| Bulgaria (this treaty) | 15% |
| Brazil | 15% |
| Canada | 15% |
| Switzerland | 15% |