Updated last 26.03.2021
General information
The regulations and manner in which foreign nationals may enter, stay, work and leave Bulgaria depends on whether the respective foreigners are European Union / European Economic Area / Swiss Confederation (EU/EEA/SC) nationals or nationals from third countries (i.e. citizens of other countries).
Foreign nationals (regardless of their origin) may work in Bulgaria under two different conditions:
- Secondment by a foreign employer to a Bulgarian company;
- Signed employment contract with a Bulgarian employer.
EU/EEA/SC nationals
- EU/ EEA SC nationals are allowed to enter, stay and work freely in Bulgaria, provided they do not hold positions for which Bulgarian nationality is required and provided the work they carry out is not on the List of Regulated Professions .
- These individuals may enter into employment relations with Bulgarian employers freely, without having to obtain a permit from the Bulgarian Employment Agency.
- In case of a secondment of EU/EEA/SC nationals the employer from the member state or the company securing the secondment is obliged to declare the secondment before the General Labor Inspectorate Executive Agency, as well as has the obligation to ensure certain working conditions.
Important to know | |
![]() | Employers willing to hire foreign nationals should know that applicable Bulgarian regulations pertain not only to the labour relations arising between the Bulgarian employer and the foreigner, but also to the entry, stay and leaving of the country by the foreign national. |
Third-country nationals
In order to work in Bulgaria third-country nationals generally have to go consecutively through the following procedures before they are allowed to work in the country:
![]() | Gaining access to the labour market in Bulgaria |
![]() | Issuance of a long-term residence visa type “D” (Visa „D”) |
![]() | Obtaining a residence permit |
| Obtaining a Bulgarian identity document |
For more information | |
![]() | Additional information on hiring employees who are third-country nationals and the related legislative framework is available on the website of: |
![]() | Gaining access to the labour market in Bulgaria |
Access to the Bulgarian labour market is allowed to third-country nationals when:
- They have an employment contract with a local employer;
- Are seconded or sent to render specific services in the country;
- Are transferred as part of an internal corporate transfer;
- Work as freelancers.
Depending on the education, experience and duration of the employment, the Bulgarian legislation provides multiple instruments on the basis of which a permit for access to the labour market in Bulgaria may be obtained:
The process for obtaining a permit to access the Bulgarian labour market is initiated by the Bulgarian employer and is presented before the Employment Agency. Depending on the selected instrument, the employer should present a specific set of documents, prepared as per the legal requirements.
Term | Depending on the instrument used to request access to the Bulgarian labour market, the Executive Director of the Employment Agency provides a written decision between 10 and 30 days from the filing of the application. |
Fee | The state fee is paid after a positive response by the Employment Agency and it varies between BGN 100 and BGN 400 depending on the type of the permit for access to the labour market issued. |
Important to know | |
![]() | The legislation provides additional grounds for gaining access the labour market for third-country nationals who would like to: |
For more information | |
![]() | More information on gaining access to the labour market and the related regulatory framework is available on the website of: |
![]() | Issuance of long-term residence visa type “D” (Visa “D”) |
- The obtained permit for access to the labour market is a prerequisite for the issuance of a long-term residence visa type “D”;
- The documents that need to be filed to request a type “D” visa depend on the grounds on which the third-country national has received a permit for access to the labour market in Bulgaria. Additional information about the specific documents required is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Visa “D” application is filed only at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria / Consulate located in the permanent residence of the third-country national or at a representative office of a third country accredited by the Bulgarian state. As an exception, the application may be filed in a country other than the country of the candidate’s permanent residence, if the person resides in such a country on legal grounds;
- In case of a positive decision, the authorities notify the visa “D” candidate, most often by telephone, and they arrange a meeting at the Bulgaria’s representative office where the third-country national has filed the application. Once the visa is affixed in the passport, the person may enter Bulgaria freely and may proceed with the next stages of the procedure.
Term | The decision on an application for the issuance of visa “D” is finalized within 35 working days from the date of filing of the application. |
Fee | The third-country national pays a state fee amounting to EUR 100 when filing of the application. |
For more information | |
![]() | Additional information on the issuance of a long-term residence visa (visa type “D”) and the related legislative framework is available on the website of: |
![]() | Obtaining a residence permit |
- Once the third-country national has obtained a permit to access the labour market in Bulgaria and a visa “D”, he / she should apply for a residence permit.
- The documents that should be filed with the Migration Directorate or the District Directorate of the Ministry of Interior should demonstrate that:
- The person has sufficient funds to support themselves,
- They will not be a burden to the social security and health systems in Bulgaria;
- They have a place to live in.
The specific requirements are stipulated in the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
- In addition to the documents listed above and depending on the grounds on which the person applies for a residence permit, the Act requires the submission of additional specific documents. Additional information is available on the website of the Migration Directorate: residence permit.
Term | In most cases the permit for long-term residence is reviewed within up to 14 days. In cases with legal and/or factual complexities associated with additional documents needed, the review period may be extended by 1 month. |
Fee | In case of a positive decision, the third-country national pays a state fee amounting to between BGN 100 and BGN 500 per year, depending on the grounds on which the residence permit was granted. The fee is paid at the Migration Directorate or the District Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. |
For more information | |
![]() | Additional information on obtaining a residence permit and the related legislative framework may be found on the website of: |
![]() | Obtaining a Bulgarian identity document |
- After the payment of the state fee, the third- country national files an application for the issuance of a Bulgarian identity document, more specifically – a residence document.
- The application is submitted to the Migration Directorate together with a copy of the residence permit, the passport of the third-country national, as well as proof for the paid state fee.
- Only after receiving the residence document, the third-country national has the right to start working. Within 7 days of the foreigner’s work commencement, the employer is obliged to notify General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency about the date of the actual start of the employment of the third country national.
Term | Depending on the District Directorate of the Ministry of Interior where the request for the issuance of a Bulgarian identity document is filed and depending on the types of service (i.e. regular, fast, express) the timeframe for issuing the document may vary between 3 working day and 30 calendar days. |
Fee | Depending on the type of service (regular, fast, express) selected by the individual, the fee may vary between BGN 45 and BGN 225. |
For more information | |
![]() | Additional information on the issuance of a Bulgarian identity document and the related legislative framework is available on the website of: |