Bulgaria is one of the poorest Euro Union countries. Salaries here are not high, but so is the living standard: accommodation, food, and transport are quite cheap. Also, the Bulgarian climate is pretty pleasant. These aspects along with the wide range of working opportunities attract foreigners who want to have seasonal work at the famous by-the-sea resorts or to get a permanent working contract in Bulgaria

Pros and cons of working in Bulgaria

The advantages of working in Bulgaria for foreigners are:

• low tax fee in the amount of 10% only; 

• opportunity to get retirement insurance and provision after 6 months of work;

• high level of employers’ loyalty and vast social package which includes medical insurance, food and gym cost compensation, etc.;

The main obstacle to successful employment is language. The majority of locals do not know English, thus without a sustainable level of Bulgarian language, one can qualify for the low positions in the service and work as a housemaid, janitor, or dishwasher. 

What trades are highly requested?

Since lots of locals in their search for higher salaries tend to work in the other EU countries, their homeland faces a major lack of working hands. Therefore there are plenty of work offers in every sphere. 

The most popular requests are designed for laborers, agricultural and other workers. Also, there are offers for those engaged in beauty trades, tourism and hotel business. As for highly qualified pros — there is high demand for medical, management, commerce, and construction specialists. 

Employment gigs: working permit 

By the Bulgarian law on employment facilitation foreigners can get an official job without a special working permit if:

• they have the status of a permanent or long-term resident of the state (KMA or long-term TRP which can be obtained after 5 years of living in Bulgaria);

• they are citizens of EU or European Economic Area countries;

• they enter the country for short-term work (up to 3 months);

If the foreign employee does not fit into the categories mentioned above, he/she needs to get a work permit and apply for a D-class entry visa. 

Working permit 

The request for the permit is filled and submitted by the employer which can be either individual or a legal person. To get the permit, employers must prove the absence of the required candidates amongst local and EU citizens, provide market and recruitment research as well as provision all guarantees for work and payments presumed by the law. 

The pack of documents should contain:

• Employer’s request declaration;

• Foreign employee’s ID and 3 photos size of 3,5 to 4,5 cm;

• Copy of signed labor contract which is processed by the Bulgarian laws;

• Copy of company’s registration cert as well as licenses and certificates which allows its operation within the state;

The decision usually takes up to 20 days after the application. Processing of a business visa to Bulgaria is based on this document. 

Documents for visa application 

A complete list of the documents needed for the visa application can be received at the Embassy of Bulgaria in the country of residence. Here is the approximate content of the mandatory documents pack:

• Foreign passport, biometrical is preferred;

• Signed labor contract;

• Working permit;

• Filled visa application form;

• Medical insurance for at least 6 month period; 

• Certificate of non-conviction;

• Accommodation rent contract for the work-term duration or cert which proves real property possession in Bulgaria;

How employment helps get KMA or TRP

Official employment in Bulgaria offers the possibility to get a temporary residence permit (TRP). Yet this document does not allow to work without working permission which was mentioned above. TRP is offered for 1 year and can be prolonged for the same period with an unlimited number of times. In 5 years of residence, the foreign citizen can apply for a permanent residence permit (KMA).