Bulgaria’s Capital Sofia Spotlighted by TF1 as a New Frontier for French Tech Entrepreneurs

The segment begins by drawing a comparison between France and Bulgaria in terms of tax structure and cost of living. In France, business owners face a complex tax environment with high social security contributions, while in Bulgaria, both corporate and income taxes are fixed at 10% — among the lowest in the European Union.

TF1 interviews several French entrepreneurs based in Sofia, who explain why they chose to settle in Bulgaria. Key reasons include:

• Lower administrative and financial burden
• Reduced operating costs
• Access to a highly educated, tech-savvy workforce
• Opportunity to scale faster with less capital

One founder points out that with €30,000 in Sofia, a startup can achieve what would cost over €100,000 in Paris — including team salaries, office space, and services.

The report also highlights the growing French-speaking community in Sofia, the presence of co-working hubs, and an overall friendly attitude toward foreign entrepreneurs. French entrepreneurs interviewed emphasize the freedom, energy, and opportunity they’ve found in the city — many referring to Sofia as a “new Eldorado” for startups.

While the report acknowledges challenges — such as Bulgaria’s smaller market size and occasional bureaucratic complexity — the overwhelming tone is positive, portraying the city as one of the best-kept secrets for European founders.