Working in Bulgaria
Step by step
How to start working in Bulgaria as a non-EU citizen
Non-EU citizens need labour-market access, a Type D visa and a residence permit before they can start work in Bulgaria.
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Arrange labour-market access
Obtain access to the labour market through a single permit, an EU Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer or a work permit. This is usually arranged by the employer.
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Obtain a Type D visa
After arranging labour-market access, obtain a Type D visa.
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Obtain a residence permit
After obtaining a Type D visa, obtain a residence permit.
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Start work
Start work only once you hold the residence document.
The job market
In the second quarter of 2026, 2.92 million people were in work and 107,100 were unemployed. The average wage rose 9.8% on a year earlier, with the highest pay in IT and finance and the lowest in hotels, restaurants and farming.4,2
Source: BTA: Annual wage growth slows to 9.8% in Q2, average wage €1,4442
Who can work
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work for a Bulgarian employer without a permit, except in posts reserved for Bulgarian citizens. They register their residence after three months.
- Other nationalities first need access to the labour market, through a single permit, an EU Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer or a work permit, then a Type D visa and a residence permit. They can start work only once they hold the residence document.
Source: Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Hiring employees who are foreign nationals5
In 2025 the Employment Agency issued 49,179 permits, opinions and registrations to non-EU workers, more than half of them for seasonal or short-term jobs, mostly in tourism and agriculture.6
Employment contracts
- Contracts must be in writing and signed before work starts. The employer registers them with the National Revenue Agency within three days, and terminations within seven.
- Contracts can be open-ended or fixed-term, usually for up to three years.
- Probation can last up to six months, or one month for fixed-term contracts of less than a year. Either side can end the contract without notice during probation.
- Pay includes at least 0.6% a year extra for length of service.
Source: Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments3
Hours, overtime and leave
| Working week | 40 hours, usually 8 hours a day over 5 days; 35 hours for night work |
|---|---|
| Daily and weekly rest | At least 12 hours a day and 48 hours a week |
| Overtime | Up to 150 hours a year (300 under a collective agreement), paid at least 1.5 times, 1.75 on weekends, double on public holidays |
| Annual leave | At least 20 working days, plus at least 5 for some jobs; paid out only when employment ends |
| Sick pay | 70% from the employer for the first 3 days, then 80% from social security |
| Maternity leave | 410 days at 90% of insured pay, starting 45 days before the birth |
Source: Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments; CMS: Expert guide to labour law in Central and Eastern Europe, Bulgaria3,7
Notice and termination
- Notice on an open-ended contract is 30 days, or up to three months if agreed; on a fixed-term contract three months, but not beyond its end.
- Either side can end the contract early by paying gross pay for the rest of the notice period.
- If an employer proposes ending the contract and the employee agrees, the employer pays at least four months’ gross pay.
- After a redundancy, the employee gets up to one month’s pay while unemployed.
Source: Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments3
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EU citizens work in Bulgaria without a permit?
Yes. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work for a Bulgarian employer without a permit, except in posts reserved for Bulgarian citizens. They must register their residence after three months.
What permit does a non-EU citizen need to work in Bulgaria?
Non-EU citizens need access to the labour market through a single permit, an EU Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer or a work permit. They then need a Type D visa and a residence permit, and can start work only once they hold the residence document.
What is the average monthly wage in Bulgaria?
The average gross monthly wage in Bulgaria was €1,444 in Q2 2026, up 9.8% on a year earlier. Information and communication had the highest sector average, at €3,079.
What is the minimum monthly wage in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s minimum monthly wage is €620.20 in 2026; this is the minimum monthly pay for employees in Bulgaria.
How much paid annual leave do employees get in Bulgaria?
Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to at least 20 working days of paid annual leave. Some jobs include at least five additional days, and unused leave is paid out only when employment ends.
What are the working hours and overtime limits in Bulgaria?
The usual working week in Bulgaria is 40 hours, generally eight hours a day over five days; night work is 35 hours a week. Overtime is limited to 150 hours a year, or 300 under a collective agreement, and is paid at least 1.5 times the usual rate, with higher rates for weekends and public holidays.
Sources
- Sofia Globe: Eurostat, unemployment in Bulgaria in August 2026 was 3.5%
- BTA: Annual wage growth slows to 9.8% in Q2, average wage €1,444
- Chambers and Partners: Employment 2026, Bulgaria, trends and developments
- BTA: Unemployment rate in Bulgaria rises to 3.5% in Q2 of 2026
- Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Hiring employees who are foreign nationals
- BTA: Employers’ analysis says foreign workers do not replace Bulgarian employees
- CMS: Expert guide to labour law in Central and Eastern Europe, 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.
