Updated last 26.03.2021
 | Signing an employment contract: Proposal |
The proposal for signing an employment contract may be initiated by both the employee and the employer. The common practice is that the employee initiates the proposal in the form of a job application. The job application should be accompanied by the following documents:
- A personal identity document (it is given back to the employee immediately and no copy is kept by the employer, as per the applicable regulations on personal data protection);
- Documents certifying attained level of education, specialty, qualification, right to exercise a profession, as per the requirements for the specific position;
- A document evidencing the length of service of the employee in the specific area, as per the requirements for the specific position;
- Medical exam documentation on the health condition of the employee – this is required when the employee starts working for the first time or if the employee is transferred to a different position due to health-related reasons for a period exceeding 3 months;
- A criminal record certificate, when such is required by the law or a specific regulation;
- A permission note issued by the Labour Inspectorate, if the employee is younger than 16 years of age or at an age between 16 and 18 years.
- The employer may require additional documents, if provided for or resulting from the law or another regulation.
 | Signing an employment contract: Negotiations |
After the proposal is completed and if the party receiving the proposal is interested, the negotiations for signing the employment contract begin. The negotiations may take a more formal or a less formal form as there are no specific regulatory requirements and procedures related to this step of the process.
 | Signing an employment contract: Timing |
- The employment contract is signed before employee commences work;
- The employment contract is signed in writing;
- The employment contract must be signed by both parties and drawn up in 2 identical copies, one copy for each party;
- The employment contract should be drawn up properly – sealed, numbered, with a reference number, etc.
 | Signing an employment contract: Commencement of work |
The commencement of the employment contract is the moment when the employee begins working. As of this time the employee begins to perform his / her obligations and begins to take advantage of the full range of his/her rights under the employment relation.
Before the employee commences his/her job under an employment contract, the employer is obliged to:
- Send written notice under art. 62, para 5 of the LC to the respective territorial directorate of the National revenue agency (NRA) at the registered address of the employer. The notice is filed within 3 days of the signing of the employment contract electronically or as a hard copy; if the employer does not fulfil this obligation in due time, financial sanctions amounting to between BGN 1,500 and BGN 15,000 may be imposed;
- Provide a copy of the signed employment contract to the employee;
- Provide a copy of the notice under art. 62, para 5 of the LC certified by the NRA to the employee;
- Provide the employee with a copy of the job description, get his/her signature, and document the date the job description is provided to the employee;
- Deliver safety and health at work instruction to the employee.
| For more information | |
 | More information on the procedure for signing an employment contract and the related regulatory framework is available on the website of: |