If I become tax resident in Bulgaria — does that free me from my home country's rules?

No — and this is a common, costly misunderstanding. Tax residence in Bulgaria (usually through your centre of life or a stay of more than 183 days) says nothing about whether your home country will keep taxing you. Many countries — Germany among them — have their own exit-taxation and extended limited-liability rules that apply regardless. Strong recommendation: clarify the risks BEFORE moving with an international-tax expert in your home country. Note: a Bulgarian tax adviser is not a protected profession and may only give information on Bulgarian law, not on foreign tax law. Svetlana knows the German exit-tax issues from practice but may not and will not give tax advice — always check it additionally in your home country too.