Updated last 18.06.2025
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 certifying that the person is suitable to perform the assigned work, mandatory upon every commencement of employment, as well as upon transfer to another position for health reasons or in other cases provided for in a normative act;
- 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 /in the cases specified in the Labor Code/ 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 according to company rules –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 3-5 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 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. More information about healthy and safe working conditions (HSWC) can be found here.
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