Work Permits for Non-EU Workers in Bulgaria
Step by step
How to obtain a work permit for a non-EU worker in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian employer and worker complete the labour market, visa and residence steps before the worker starts.
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Apply for labour access
The employer applies to the Employment Agency, which decides within 30 days. The fee of €51.13 to €204.52 is paid after approval.
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Apply for a Type D visa
The worker applies at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate for their place of residence. The decision takes up to 35 working days.
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Apply for residence
After arrival in Bulgaria, the worker applies to the Migration Directorate and shows means, health insurance and accommodation.
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Obtain the residence card
The worker can start work only once they hold the residence card. Issuing the card takes 3 working days to 30 days.
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Notify the inspectorate
Within 7 days of the worker’s first day, the employer tells the General Labour Inspectorate.
The routes
| Route | For | Validity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single permit | Employees of a Bulgarian employer, where no more specific route applies; subject to the quota | Up to 3 years | Up to 2 months, plus 2 in complex cases |
| EU Blue Card | Highly qualified employees with a contract of at least 6 months; no quota and no labour market test | 5 years, at least 24 months | Up to 3 months |
| Intra-corporate transfer | Managers, specialists and trainees moved within a non-EU group | 1 year, renewable to 3 years (1 for trainees) | Up to 3 months |
| Posting | Staff of a foreign employer sent to work for a Bulgarian company under a services contract | Up to 12 months, plus 6 by exception | 30 days for the permit |
| Seasonal work | Workers in farming, forestry, fishing, hotels and restaurants | 90 days to 9 months in 12 months | Up to 2 months |
| Freelancing | Self-employed professionals with at least 2 years’ experience and Bulgarian at B1 level | Up to 1 year, renewable | 30 days for the permit |
Source: Be Legal: Work permits in Bulgaria 2026; Ministry of Labour and Social Policy: Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act1,4
The quota and the labour market test
- For single permits, non-EU workers employed over the previous 12 months may not exceed 20% of the employer’s average headcount, or 35% for small and medium-sized companies.
- The quota does not apply to the EU Blue Card, transfers, seasonal work, freelancers or posted workers, nor to people covered by international treaties, visiting lecturers, artists and athletes.
- The Minister of Labour and Social Policy can allow exceptions in justified cases, including to support an investment.
- For single permits and Blue Cards, the employer explains why it could not hire a Bulgarian or EU candidate.
Source: Be Legal: Work permits in Bulgaria 20261
The EU Blue Card
- Gross pay must be at least 1.5 times the average Bulgarian salary over the previous 12 months: roughly €2,000 a month in 2026.
- Applicants need a degree of at least three years, or five years of comparable experience; for IT managers and specialists, three years in the last seven.
- Since July 2025, foreign degrees must be recognised by the National Centre for Information and Documentation, and a change of employer in the first 12 months needs approval.
- The state fee is €55; issue in 10 working days costs €45 more, in 3 days €112.
Source: Be Legal: Work permits in Bulgaria 2026; Sail Global: 2026 Bulgaria work visa guide (indicative Blue Card threshold); EY: New remote work permit and stricter requirements for highly skilled workers; EU Immigration Portal: EU Blue Card in Bulgaria1,5,6,7
Step by step
- 1. Labour market access. The employer applies to the Employment Agency, which decides within 30 days. The fee, €51.13 to €204.52, is paid after approval.
- 2. Type D visa. The worker applies at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate for their place of residence, which decides within 35 working days.
- 3. Residence permit. After arrival, the worker applies to the Migration Directorate, showing means, health insurance and accommodation.
- 4. Residence card. The worker can start only once they hold the card; issue takes 3 working days to 30 days.
- 5. Notify the labour inspectorate. Within 7 days of the first day of work, the employer tells the General Labour Inspectorate.
Source: Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Hiring employees who are foreign nationals2
Fees set in leva are charged in euro from 2026 at BGN 1.95583 to €1.2
Frequently Asked Questions
What work permit do non-EU workers need in Bulgaria?
Most non-EU employees in Bulgaria use a single permit, while highly qualified employees use the EU Blue Card. The Bulgarian employer starts the process with the Employment Agency, and the worker needs permission to work before applying for a visa.
What is the quota for non-EU workers on single permits in Bulgaria?
For single permits in Bulgaria, non-EU workers employed over the previous 12 months may not exceed 20% of an employer’s average headcount, or 35% for small and medium-sized companies. The quota does not apply to EU Blue Cards, transfers, seasonal work, freelancers or posted workers.
What are the EU Blue Card requirements in Bulgaria in 2026?
In Bulgaria, EU Blue Card gross pay must be at least 1.5 times the average Bulgarian salary over the previous 12 months, roughly €2,000 a month in 2026. Applicants need a degree of at least three years or five years of comparable experience; IT managers and specialists need three years of experience in the last seven.
How long does it take to get a work permit in Bulgaria?
The Employment Agency decides within 30 days, and the Type D visa decision takes up to 35 working days. After arrival, issuing the residence card takes 3 working days to 30 days, and the worker can start only once they hold the card. The full process can take several months.
How much does an EU Blue Card cost in Bulgaria?
The EU Blue Card state fee in Bulgaria is €55. Issuing it in 10 working days costs €45 more, while issue in 3 days costs €112.
Sources
- Be Legal: Work permits in Bulgaria 2026 (PDF)
- Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Hiring employees who are foreign nationals
- BTA: Seasonal and short-term jobs dominate Bulgaria’s non-EU labour authorisations
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy: Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (PDF)
- Sail Global: 2026 Bulgaria work visa guide (indicative Blue Card threshold)
- EY: New remote work permit and stricter requirements for highly skilled workers (PDF)
- EU Immigration Portal: EU Blue Card in Bulgaria
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
