Bulgaria is a country in Eastern Europe that is a member of the European Union. In recent years, the state has become increasingly popular among expats looking for work abroad. Find out how to get a work visa in Bulgaria and what are the features of working here

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Bulgaria is a country of the European Union that attracts foreign workers with an affordable cost of living, a pleasant climate and employment prospects. Despite the fact that the country's economy faced difficulties in the past, it is currently protected by EU conventions and is actively developing. The unemployment rate in the state is falling, and therefore more and more expats are thinking about working here. Citizens of Nepal, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are most interested in employment in Bulgaria in 2024.

How can a foreigner find a job in Bulgaria? Detailed guide for expats in this article.

Advantages of employment in Bulgaria

- Low tax rate, the amount of which is only 10%.

- Possibility to receive pension insurance and social security after 6 months of official work in the country.

- High loyalty of employers and extended social package: medical insurance, compensation for meals, sports, etc.

- Low cost of living. Salaries in Bulgaria are generally more modest compared to other EU countries, but the low cost of living largely compensates for this.

Do you need to know Bulgarian to work in Bulgaria?

Knowledge of the Bulgarian language will be a significant plus for an expat when hiring. Given that the majority of the population does not speak English, without knowledge of the state language you can only count on junior positions.

Where do expats work in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria's main industries include energy, mining, metallurgy, electronics and tourism, while finance and IT are booming. Most of the vacancies are open in the fields of tourism and hospitality, agriculture, beauty, etc.

In addition, there is a great demand for qualified specialists in the fields of medicine, management, trade and construction.

The following specialists earn the highest wages: IT specialists, artists and workers with knowledge of foreign languages. It also pays well to work in so-called contact centers, which offer customer support and sales services in countries around the world. For the latter positions, there are often no special requirements other than proficiency in the target language and some knowledge of English.

Another opportunity for expats in Bulgaria is to study. Bulgarians, especially in big cities, willingly learn foreign languages, especially English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and recently Chinese. And native speakers are always needed.

How can an expat find a job in Bulgaria?

Most expats working in Bulgaria find work on one of the following internet portals:

- Popular local sites with job ads: JOBS.BG, Zaplata.bg and Karieri.

- International sites for employment: Linkedin and Jooble.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Requirements for employees for employment in Bulgaria

Citizens of EU and EEA countries do not need any permits to work in Bulgaria. Representatives of the rest of the world need to obtain a work visa and a residence permit before moving.

Types of work visas in Bulgaria:

- Visa for short-term work (up to 3 months).

- Type D visa for long-term employment.

The procedure for obtaining a work visa to Bulgaria

1st stage – to obtain a permit from the Bulgarian Employment Agency

If you want to apply for a work visa in Bulgaria, your Bulgarian employer must first obtain a work permit for you from the Bulgarian Employment Agency.

For employment, the employer must confirm the lack of suitable candidates among Bulgarians and citizens of the European Union, provide an analysis of the labor market and the search for candidates, as well as provide guarantees of working conditions and wages in accordance with current legislation.

For this, you need to provide the following package of documents:

- Work permit application form.

- Confirmation of having a private health insurance policy in Bulgaria.

- Medical insurance from your country of residence.

- Certificate of criminal record.

- A letter explaining the reason for the appeal.

- Employment contract.

- Copy of passport/travel document valid for at least another 7 months.

- Three passport size photos of you.

- A certified copy of your employer's registration document or identification code.

- Documents relating to your education, skills and qualifications, previous work experience, etc.

- A report on the number of employees your employer had under employment contracts for the previous 12 months.

- Any additional documents related to your work.

Step 2 – Prepare a package of documents

After receiving confirmation of the possibility of employment, prepare a package of documents for obtaining a visa:

- Foreign passport, preferably biometric;

- Signed employment contract;

- Work permit;

- Completed visa application form;

- Medical insurance for a period of 6 months or more;

- Certificate of no criminal record;

- A housing rental agreement for the duration of the employment contract or a certificate of owning real estate in Bulgaria.

Step 3 – Fill out the questionnaire

After collecting the documents, carefully fill out the visa application form. Please ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete.

Step 4 – Make an appointment at the nearest Bulgarian embassy/consulate

Next, you need to make an appointment at the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate.

Stage 5 – Come to the appointment

On the appointed day, come to the meeting with all the necessary documents.

Step 6 – Pay the visa fee

You will also need to pay a visa fee at the time of registration. The cost of an application for a work visa is 120 euros.

Step 7 – Wait for approval

Processing time is usually at least 15 business days, although sometimes this period can be up to 30 days or more.

Residence permit through employment

Official employment on the territory of Bulgaria allows a foreigner to issue a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a period of 1 year and can be extended an unlimited number of times for the same period. For 5 years, a foreigner can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Work culture in Bulgaria

Trust is important in the work environment. Relationships can develop slowly, as Bulgarians tend to take their time getting to know new colleagues. Bulgarians generally value directness and cooperation, and they can show respect for age and seniority.

A noticeable cultural difference in Bulgaria is the reverse meaning of head shaking and nodding, which can initially confuse expats. A shake of the head means "yes", and a nod means "no". Expats should keep this in mind when doing business and in everyday life in Bulgaria.

Otherwise, the work culture in Bulgaria is clearly not different from the work culture in other EU countries.

Working conditions in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the working week is usually 40 hours, and the working day is 8 hours, plus an additional hour for lunch and breaks. Overtime is regulated and usually compensated at a higher rate. The government sets the minimum wage, which is adjusted annually. In 2024, the minimum wage is 940 leva per month (approximately 480 euros). Employers and employees pay into social security, which covers pensions, health care, unemployment benefits, and other benefits. Bulgaria has a universal health care system, but many employers also offer additional private health insurance.

Bulgaria is a promising country for employment of expats, because it is a developing state, a member of the EU and attracts expats with a low cost of living and a stable economy.

We will remind you! Romania's economy is developing at the expense of local enterprises, as well as international startups. The most opportunities for expats to work in the IT industry. We have already told whether foreigners can work in Romania and what the employment procedure is.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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