Do you, as a non-EU citizen, want to work in Bulgaria as an employed worker? Information on the conditions to be met and the procedure to be observed, and the rights that you are entitled to during your stay can be found below.
Conditions
To be employed as an employee in Bulgaria, you have to acquire:
- A work/single permit.
- A visa “type D”.
- They need a residence permit (not in the case of a single permit).
The aggregate figure of foreign workers may not surpass 20 percent of the average figure of Bulgarian/EEA/Swiss citizens throughout the last 12 months. And the non-EU citizens currently residing in Bulgaria long-term, who are employed by the same employer throughout the last 12 months.
Procedures
Before you arrive in the country, your employer has to request permission to issue a permit at the local Directorate “Employment Office” of the Employment Agency where he is registered.
The central administration of the Employment Agency approves, following the utilisation of the labour market test, directly to the Migration Directorate of MoI and notifies the employer.
Under this labour market test, the employer has to demonstrate that:
- During the last 15 days, he/she has been actively seeking a suitable candidate.
- No Bulgarian/EEA/Swiss nationals or long-term residents in Bulgaria, non-EU workers, correspond to the necessary profile.
- Training of existing personnel is impossible.
The cases where the worker is exempted from the labour market test are:
recruited under the provisions of an international convention, of which Bulgaria is a signatory;
- A visiting professor, lector or teacher in a Bulgarian higher or secondary education institution, accepted by the respective academic boards or by the Regional Inspectorates of the Ministry of Education and Science.
- A sportsman or trainer who is a professional and has the approval of the appropriate Bulgarian sports federation or union;
- An actor-performer, a member of which is approved by the Ministry of Culture.
Visa “type D”
As soon as the decision about one permit is granted, you are expected to obtain a visa of type D at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of origin. The visa grants you the entry privilege to Bulgaria.
Single permit
After entering Bulgaria with your valid visa (in case you are required to have one to enter the country), you will also have to acquire a Single permit from the Migration Directorate.
Documents required
To be issued a Single permit, one should provide:
- A copy of the national ID (valid passport or replacement document with the pages of the personal data, photo).
- A certificate of no past convictions, given by the country of origin or the country of usual residence.
- Documents certifying steady, periodic, providable and adequate funds for maintenance of the minimum monthly work salary, the minimum stipendium or the minimum pension in the country, during the period of residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
- Accommodation.
- Health insurance.
- Progressive professional education (or higher), or certain professional qualifications and work experience in connection with the objective needs of the job. In case it is demanded by the employer.
Validity period of permits
The Single permit can be valid up to one year, and it can be renewed up to a maximum of three years. You should make an application to renew it to the Migration Directorate at least 14 days before its expiry. You have to go back to your home country after three years and spend one month thereafter which you can make an application for a new work permit through the same process.
Additional requirements
Upon your arrival, you are allowed a period of five days to report your residential address to the relevant authorities.
Appeals: Local administrative courts may be used to appeal Single permit decisions within 14 days.
Change of job
Single/Work permits are given to a particular employee, to a particular position and kind of work. No change is permitted. In case you wish to change your employer, then you will have to make a new application.
Change of status: Change of status is possible, by the recent amendments in the Law of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Long-term residence
After five years of legal residence, you will be able to obtain the status of long-term resident. During these five years, you are not allowed to stay outside Bulgaria longer than six months in a row or 10 months in total. The long-term residence applications should be addressed to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. Your long-term residence status will be for the duration that is stipulated by the validity of the national passport that you have used to enter Bulgaria. Being a long-term resident, you will not require a single/work permit, and you will have equal in access to health insurance and social security.
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