The labor market in Bulgaria is dynamic and changing faster than ever, and adaptation is the key to success. Тhe growing shortage of both skilled and unskilled labor in Bulgaria leads to more and more companies are turning to foreign workers as a solution to this problem. Alongside the opportunities, however, this also brings a number of legal challenges. With the latest legislative changes, effective as of July 2025, the procedures for hiring foreigners have become more structured, and the sanctions for violations – more serious. In this article, we summarize the main updates that every employer must keep in mind in order to remain within the law and protect the interests of their business.
- TYPES OF PERMITS
When a Bulgarian company decides to hire a foreign national (outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), it is necessary to obtain a permit for access to the labor market. Depending on the candidate’s status and position, there are several main types of permits:
- Single Work Permit – Issued to a foreigner who will be employed under a labor contract in Bulgaria. Valid for up to 1 year, with the possibility of renewal. The procedure is initiated by the employer through the Migration Directorate.
- Seasonal Employment Permit – Intended for workers in agriculture, tourism, and catering sectors. Valid for up to 90 or 180 days within a calendar year. Issued under a simplified procedure.
- EU Blue Card – Granted to highly qualified specialists with higher education and proven professional experience. Requires an employment contract and a salary higher than the national average. Valid for up to 4 years.
- Permit for Posted Workers – Issued for temporarily posted employees from foreign companies. Valid for up to 12 months, with a possible extension to 18 months.
- Other options – There are also possibilities such as intra-corporate transfer, digital nomad visa, startup visa, and others, depending on the specific case.
It is important to note that some foreigners may work without a work permit if they fall under the legal exceptions.
- PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS
To employ a foreign national, the employer must go through several key steps and comply with certain conditions:
- Document preparation – Both the employee and employer prepare documents, with foreign documents requiring legalization according to the relevant procedures.
- Application submission – The procedure is initiated by the employer before the Migration Directorate and/or the Employment Agency, depending on the type of permit.
- Deadlines – Legal timeframes vary for different procedures. Standard review of documents takes about 30 days by the Employment Agency and 3–6 weeks by the Migration Directorate, with possible extensions for some procedures. In all cases, the deadlines should not exceed 3 months.
- Employer requirements – The company must not have outstanding tax or social security liabilities and is obliged to ensure equal working conditions and pay compared to Bulgarian citizens. For some procedures, quota requirements for employed staff must be observed.
- Special conditions – For highly qualified specialists (EU Blue Card), the remuneration must be higher than the national average salary, while for seasonal workers – proof of the need for temporary employment is required. There are also other specifics depending on the procedure.
Compliance with these requirements is crucial both for obtaining the permit successfully and for avoiding subsequent sanctions.
- WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AS AN EMPLOYER
To adapt to the new requirements and avoid administrative risks, you should:
- Update your internal recruitment and hiring processes for foreign workers;
- Ensure trained representatives are available to accompany employees when needed;
- Consult a specialist before submitting documents for a preliminary assessment, preparation, and clarification of the procedure;
- Keep track of deadlines for notifications and permit renewals;
- Seek timely legal assistance in case of doubts or refusals.
Contact Us
If you need assistance with hiring foreign workers, document preparation, communication with the administration, or legal consultation, our team is here to help. We offer a free short introductory call to clarify your case, while further steps require booking a paid consultation.