MMigratalent

Country work-permit guide

Bulgaria work permit and immigration guide for non-EU workers

Bulgaria caps the share of third-country workers at an employer. Third-country nationals who worked for the employer in the previous 12 months may not exceed 20% of the average workforce on labour contracts, rising to 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Overview

Bulgaria caps the share of third-country workers at an employer. Third-country nationals who worked for the employer in the previous 12 months may not exceed 20% of the average workforce on labour contracts, rising to 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Quotas, caps and ratios

  • Quota / cap: 20% of workforce (35% SMEs).
  • Third-country employment is capped at 20% of the employer's average labour-contract workforce over the previous 12 months; 35% for SMEs.
  • Ratio rule: Third-country workers ≤ 20% of average workforce (≤ 35% for SMEs).

Employer eligibility and restrictions

  • Third-country headcount must stay within 20% of the average labour-contract workforce (35% for SMEs).
  • Equality-of-pay rule applies to the sponsored worker.
  • No separate fixed turnover or bank-balance test was verified.
  • Whether Blue Card / ICT cases are exempt from the 20/35% cap needs article-by-article legal confirmation.

Main work-permit routes

  • Single Permit
  • EU Blue Card
  • Seasonal worker registration
  • Intra-corporate transfer

Recent vacancies — Bulgaria

16+ recent vacancies aggregated from Zaplata.bg, Bazar.bg. These vacancies are aggregated from public job boards and are time-sensitive — roles may be filled or expired. Always confirm the offer, employer and any fees directly with the source or employer before applying or paying anything.

Application process

  • Labour market test — Employer via Employment Agency: The Bulgarian employer advertises the vacancy for the mandatory minimum posting period before applying, to evidence that no suitable Bulgarian, EU/EEA or settled candidate is available (required for the Single Permit route). (15-day mandatory vacancy posting (Single Permit only))
  • Labour market access / written opinion — Employer via Employment Agency: The employer files the labour-market access application (Single Permit, EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transfer or work permit) with the Employment Agency, which issues a written opinion on access to the labour market. (Up to 30 days from filing of the application · BGN 100-400)
  • Long-stay (Type D) visa — Worker via Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bulgarian embassy / consulate): The worker applies for a long-term residence (Type D) visa at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their country of residence in order to enter Bulgaria. (Within 35 working days from the date of filing)
  • Single Permit / residence decision — Authority via Migration Directorate, Ministry of the Interior: The worker files for the residence permit at the Migration Directorate (proving sufficient funds and accommodation); the Directorate seeks the Employment Agency opinion and State Agency for National Security confirmation and decides on the single permit for residence and work. (Up to 14 days (extendable to one month for complex cases) · BGN 100-1,000 annually)
  • Issue of residence document — Authority via Migration Directorate, Ministry of the Interior: The worker is issued the Bulgarian residence identity document; employment may begin only after this document is obtained. (3-30 calendar days depending on service type · BGN 45-225)
  • Start-of-work notification — Employer via General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency: The employer notifies the General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency of the actual start date of the employment within seven days. (Within 7 days of actual start of employment)

Processing time and government fees

  • Overall processing time: Single Permit: around two months end-to-end (Employment Agency labour-market opinion up to 30 days, then Migration Directorate residence decision up to 14 days, extendable to one month for complex cases). EU Blue Card: maximum 3 months.
  • Government fees: Labour market access permit: BGN 100-400. Residence permit: BGN 100-1,000 annually. Residence ID document: BGN 45-225. EU Blue Card issuance: 110 BGN (approx. EUR 55); express options 45 EUR (10 working days) or 112 EUR (3 working days).
  • Authority names, the four-stage Single Permit flow, step deadlines and the BGN fee ranges were verified on the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy official services page; EU Blue Card deadline and fees were verified on the EU Immigration Portal. The exact 2026 salary threshold and any in-year fee revisions should be confirmed directly with the Employment Agency and Migration Directorate.

Core documents

  • Valid passport meeting the destination validity rule
  • Signed work contract or binding job offer
  • Proof of qualifications / professional experience
  • Criminal-record certificate (apostille/legalisation where required)
  • Certified translations of foreign documents where required
  • Proof of health insurance and accommodation where required

Certified translators & interpreters — sworn / certified translators & interpreters

44 certified Bulgaria translators/interpreters from Association of Interpreters and Translators in Bulgaria. Click any name to open their on-site Migratalent profile (with the original source listing linked there). Sworn/certified translation is typically required for diplomas, criminal-record certificates and civil documents in the work-permit file. Verify accreditation directly before engaging.

Common questions

How many non-EU workers can a Bulgarian employer hire?

Standard access is capped at 20% of the employer's average labour-contract workforce over the previous 12 months, and 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Are highly skilled or Blue Card workers exempt from the cap?

Possibly, but no official exception to the 20/35% cap was conclusively verified. Blue Card and ICT derogations should be confirmed against current Bulgarian law before relying on them.