Bulgarian Cigarette Prices Expected to Increase by 30% Due to EU Tax

Source from:  StandartNews 09/09/2013

As a result of the new minimum excise duty rates introduced by the EU, the price of cigarettes in Bulgaria is expected to go up by 30% or BGN 1-1.20 in the next four years, Bulgarian daily 24 Hours reported.

By the end of 2017, the excise tax rate was elevated to EUR 90/1,000 cigarettes, according to reports.

With an average of BGN 4.50, Bulgaria now has the lowest cigarette prices in the EU. While cigarette prices in Bulgaria have remained unchanged since 2010, they rose by 2%- 14% in other EU countries.

Nevertheless, according to a survey, Bulgaria has one of the highest tax burden rates. As the daily reports, in the case of a mid-priced box of cigarettes costing BGN 4.50, production costs amount to less than BGN 1 and the remaining BGN 3.50 is paid for taxes and excise tax stamps, which are free of charge in many EU countries. Enditem