➢ As a general rule, foreign workers can make up a maximum of 20% of your total workforce. However, if you’re running a small or medium-sized company, you can hire up to 35% from other countries

➢ You should not have received a penalty for illegal employment or violating labor laws within the year before applying

➢ The terms of employment and compensation for third-country nationals are similar to those of Bulgarian citizens in the same job category

➢ You should not have fired employees from the same job categories, professions, and qualification levels as those you intend to hire from third countries in the past 6 months

➢ You must advertise the position to Bulgarian and EU nationals for at least 15 days

➢ Post a job ad on VideoWorkers and select from the candidates who applied or search the database directly

➢ After finding a good match, conduct the interview, make a job offer, then sign a work contract

➢ You must request approval for a work permit from the local Employment Agency

➢ Required documents:

◦ Justification of the request to obtain a work permit. This includes copies of job ads and results of the labor market test

◦ Copy of job description including the national code of the job position 

◦ Documents proving the education and qualifications of your future employee (translated and legalized)

◦ Declaration showing the number of foreign workers in the company (if applicable)

◦ Declaration stating that the salary and working conditions are similar to those of Bulgarian citizens for the category of employment

◦ Copy of the fixed-term employment contract 

◦ Copy of the worker’s passport 

◦ Worker’s criminal record 

◦ Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria 

◦ Medical insurance 

◦ Document stating that the requirements for practicing a profession listed in Bulgaria’s Registry of regulated professions, as per Article 3 of the Law on Recognizing Professional Qualifications, are fulfilled

◦ Declaration about the number of employees in the company in the past 12 months 

➢ Application fee: BGN 100

➢ Processing time: 20 days

➢ Your future employee must apply for a long-term visa type “D” at the competent Bulgarian Embassy

➢ Required documents: 

◦ Bulgarian visa application form 

◦ Valid travel document (original and photocopy)

◦ A full-color photograph of 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm

◦ Medical insurance covering at least 30,000 EUR

◦ Flight reservation 

◦ Proof of financial means 

◦ Proof of accommodation 

◦ Criminal record 

◦ Copy of work permit

➢ Application fee: € 100

➢ Processing time: 35 working days

➢ After entering Bulgaria, your employee must apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate

➢ Required documents: 

◦ Valid passport

◦ Proof of accommodation 

◦ Employment contract as proof of sufficient financial means 

◦ Medical insurance 

➢ Application fee: BGN 110

➢ Processing time: 14 days

➢ Your employee can begin working only once they obtain a Bulgarian identity document from the Migration Directorate 

➢ Required documents: 

◦ Valid passport

◦ Copy of the residence permit 

◦ Proof of paid fee  

➢ Application fee: from BGN 45 to BGN 255  based on whether they choose standard, fast, or express processing

➢ Processing time: from 3 to 30 days depending on the processing speed selected 

➢ After your employee obtains a Bulgarian ID card and starts working, you must notify the territorial department of the General Labor Inspectorate that the worker has started their job