.webp)
In this article we will look at all the options for work in Bulgaria for third-country nationalsin 2024, we will focus on the obligations of Bulgarian employers who wish to hire foreigners, as well as the procedures for issuing permits.
Important! Elan Consulting does not provide “intermediary services” within the meaning of the Employment Promotion Act, nor does it engage in recruitment and recruitment. From us you can get professional legal assistance with the formation of the necessary documents, but not services for finding employers and/or labor!
The tendency of Bulgarian workers to avoid low-skilled and low-paid jobs, both in the past abroad and at the present time in Bulgaria itself, pushes employers to look for alternatives. The increase in wages in the countryalso contributes to the attraction of workers from distant countries who wish to immigrate and work in Bulgaria. This is noticeable in various sectors of the economy, where we can increasingly see foreigners at work.
Services, offered by our company, are aimed at Bulgarian employers who are experiencing difficulties in finding suitable personnel on the local market. The complexity of the proceduresEmployment of workers from non-EU countries is significant and represents a serious challenge for the majority of Bulgarian employers. Our goal is to facilitate this process by offering professional help for obtaining work and residence permits, including Single residence and work permit, EU Blue Card, permissions for seasonal employment, Intra-corporate transfer, as well as for employment of researchers, students and trainees.
The standard work permitis also part of our services, underlining our commitment to offer full support and effective solutions for employers. This underlines our commitment to easing the process of integration of foreign workers into the Bulgarian labor market, which is essential to address the shortage of qualified personnel and to stimulate economic growth in the country.
Our country provides a platform for the development and professional growth of citizens from all countries that are not members of the European Union, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Nepaland many other countries in which we observe a trend of increased interest in sending labor to Bulgaria.
The commitment of Elan ConsultingThe high standards of service and the continuous pursuit of innovations in the field of labor mobility allows the company not only to meet the growing demand for skilled labor from third countries, but also to actively contribute to the development of the Bulgarian economy and society as a whole. Cooperation with citizens from the listed countries underlines the global orientation and mission of Elan Consultingto promote multicultural dialogue and professional development at the international level.
Hiring foreigners in Bulgaria poses a serious challenge for Bulgarian employers, especially due to complicated procedures and strict regulations. Comparison with other EU countries shows that Bulgaria has some of the most complex requirements for legalizing the residence and work activity of foreigners. In addition, the fines for hiring foreigners without the necessary permits are significant, and criminal liability is also provided for in certain cases.
Currently in Bulgaria the labor market is experiencing a huge hunger for personnel of all levels of qualification - Bulgarian employers need qualified foreign labor, and many foreigners want to work in the country. But there is one problem: the Bulgarian bureaucracy. The problem of bureaucracy is really serious. The costs - financial, time, target and operational for obtaining a work permit in Bulgaria are among the highest in the entire European Union, and this leads to a lack of interest of employers in hiring foreigners in general. This is one of the main reasons to trust the right migration lawyerto form all the necessary documents and carry out the procedures in accordance with legal requirements.
According to Bulgarian law, employers who hire foreigners without the relevant permits can be fined between 2,000 and 20,000 leva. More serious violations can lead to imprisonment and higher fines, especially if five or more illegally staying foreigners are employed, or if victims of human trafficking under the age of 18 are affected, or in the systematic hiring of illegally staying foreigners.
Despite the obvious need for foreign labor and the interest of many foreigners to work in Bulgaria, bureaucratic barriers and high costs associated with obtaining a work permit make the process particularly difficult. This leads to an unwillingness of employers to hire foreigners, thereby reducing the potential for solving the problem of labor shortage in the country.
Thus, despite the considerable interest on the part of foreigners and the presence of a need for their workforce in the Bulgarian business, the hiring process turns out to be impossible for many employers due to strict regulations and bureaucracy. This creates obstacles not only for the foreigners themselves who want to work in Bulgaria, but also for the Bulgarian business, which needs their qualifications and skills.
Pursuant to Article 75 (2) of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act, Employer — a legal person for whom a foreigner provides labor without the relevant permit or registration with the Employment Agency, is required property penalty in the amount of BGN 2000 to BGN 20,000 (between EUR 1025 and EUR 10250)., unless he is subject to a more severe punishment.
In addition, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgariastipulates that
Who employs at the same time five or more foreigners illegally residing in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or a foreigner illegally residing in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, of whom the perpetrator knows that he has suffered a victim of trafficking in human beings, is punishable by imprisonment for up to four yearsand with a fine of two thousand to twenty thousand leva In addition, whoever employs a foreigner residing illegally on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria under the age of 18 years shall be punished by imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of three thousand to thirty thousand leva. Anyone who systematically employs one or more foreigners illegally residing in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall be punished by imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of five thousand to fifty thousand leva. The last described penalty is also imposed on a person who employs a foreigner illegally residing in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria under working conditions that are significantly different from the working conditions of legally employed persons and which harm human dignity.
The regime for hiring foreigners in Bulgaria is subject to regulation in several regulatory documents, including Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act. Employers wishing to hire citizens from non-EU countries face a number of requirements and procedures they must meet in order to ensure the legal employment of their future employees.
It is important to note that some categories of foreigners do not need a work permit to access the labor market in Bulgaria. This includes:
For others who do not fall into the listed categories, it is necessary to obtain a work permit. The procedures for obtaining such a permit can be complex and time-consuming, involving the submission of multiple documents and waiting for approval by the relevant government authorities.
Employers wishing to hire foreigners should make sure that potential employees possess valid residence document, as well as notarized copyof this document to keep for the duration of the lease.
Violation of these requirements may result in the imposition of serious finesand even criminal liabilityfor employers who hire foreigners without the necessary documents. Therefore, the hiring process requires careful compliance with legislation and commitment to the regulations that govern labor migration and mobility in the country.
In the context of the constantly evolving global labour market, Bulgaria is taking steps to facilitate recruitment procedures for third-country nationals. Elan Consultingpositions itself as a reliable partner in the process of settlement of labor relations, offering comprehensive services for obtaining the so-called “Single residence and work permit”in Bulgaria, which is issued for a period of 1 to 3 years, depending on the validity of the employment contract. This service is especially important forlow and medium-skilled workersseeking employment opportunities in the country.
Under the new rules, the procedure for issuing a work permit covers several key steps. It is based on Directive 2011/98/EU and local legislation, including Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria (ZHRB)and Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (ZTMTM). The permit is issued by Ministry of the InteriorBased on a positive opinion from Employment Agencywhich assesses compliance with employment requirements.
The maximum period of validitySuch permission is three years, which provides flexibility and security for both employers and employees. The permit is adapted to the duration of the employment contract, ensuring exact compliance with the set conditions of employment.
The process of issuing “Single residence and work permit”is a multi-step procedure that takes time and attention to detail. Elan Consultingprovides detailed information and support to employers and applicants throughout the process, making it easier to navigate complex administrative requirements.
The issuance of the permit takes between 4 and 8 months, depending on the specific case and the steps to be followed:
The specific fees associated with the procedure for issuing a work permit may vary depending on various factors, including the type of permit, the number of documents required to be submitted and the specific requirements for each category of workers. It is important to consult Elan Consultingfor up-to-date information on fees and to ensure that your application process is as efficient and seamless as possible.
Elan Consultingis here to assist you at every step of the process, providing not only detailed guidance on required documents and procedures, but also support in settling any questions or issues that may arise. Our goal is to facilitate your journey towards the successful obtaining of a work permit in Bulgaria.
The procedure for obtaining work permitin Bulgaria for third-country nationals requires the preparation and submission of a specific set of documents. Elan Consultingoffers detailed guidance and assistance for the collection and preparation of the following required documents:
Before submitting the documents, the employer must conduct a labor market survey for the relevant position for a period of pthose 15 days,in an attempt to find a suitable candidate among Bulgarian citizens or persons with equal employment rights.
The most subjective aspect in the procedure for issuing the permit is the correct preparation of the justification for the request. This includes a detailed explanation of why the particular foreigner is the most suitable candidate for the position and why the employer has not been able to find a suitable Bulgarian citizen or person with equal employment rights. If the justification for the application for the issuance of the work permit is not drawn up correctly, it is highly likely that there will be serious delays in the issuance of the permit or that a refusal will be issued directly!
Elan Consultingprovides professional support in the preparation of all necessary documents and justifications to ensure that the work permit application process runs smoothly and without difficulty.
Elan Consultingfacilitates the whole process by offering detailed consultations and assistance in preparing the necessary application documents. The company acts as a bridge between Bulgarian institutions and job applicants from third countries, ensuring smooth passage through all administrative steps. In addition, Elan Consultingoffers extensive support services after obtaining the permit, assisting in the integration of workers into the Bulgarian labor market and society.
This highlights the commitment of Elan Consultingto providing high quality services for its clients and strengthening Bulgaria's position as an attractive destination for international workers. With his experience and professionalism, Elan Consultingcontributes to the sustainable development of labour migration and mobility in the country, opening up new opportunities for growth and prosperity of the Bulgarian economy.
Seasonal work in Bulgaria provides an opportunity for third-country nationals to be temporarily employed to perform certain tasks that are seasonal in nature. This includes sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, hospitality and restaurants.
A seasonal worker is a third-country national who resides legally and temporarily in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in order to perform seasonal work, on the basis of one or more fixed-term employment contracts with a local employer.
For the issuance of residence and work permit type “Permit for seasonal worker”, the employer or the person authorized by him must submit a complete set of documents to the Migration Directorate or to the relevant department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The applicant must provide:
The documents must be legalized and accompanied by a notarized translation into Bulgarian.
The entire procedure for consideration of the application should not exceed 2 months. The seasonal work permit may be issued for a period not less than 90 days and not more than 9 monthswithin one calendar year. If necessary, it can be extended once for another 9 months.
Seasonal workers who have worked in Bulgaria at least once in the last 5 years benefit from accelerated procedureupon renewal of the authorisation.
Elan Consultingcan provide comprehensive support in the preparation and submission of documents, as well as help speed up the process for seasonal workers eligible for an accelerated procedure. You can read more about the seasonal work permit and work visa for Bulgaria here!
The Bulgarian labour market offers a variety of opportunities for foreigners from third countries, reflecting the dynamics of economic development and the needs for qualified personnel in key sectors. Here are the ten most sought-after professions that underlie international employment in the country:
To obtain a work permit in Bulgaria, Foreigners from third countriesmust submit a number of documents proving their qualifications and their right to reside in the country. Basic requirementscover the provision of documents on education and vocational qualifications, as well as other relevant certificates.
Education and Qualificationrequirements that are required depend on the specifics of the job position. For some professions such as nursesand teachers of foreign languages, either higher education in the specialty or specialized qualifications and certificates are required. Permission to practice the profession in the country is also required for these positions. This means that the candidate must presentdiplomas, certificates and other documents attesting to his professional training and legal capacity before the relevant institution for the recognition of his professional qualifications and competence.
For other professions, especially in technical sectorsand production, secondary special or vocational education is sufficient. It is important to note that according to the Russian system of education, Secondary Vocational Education (VET)represents a form of education that has been equated with the modernized version of secondary special education since the last century. This education prepares specialists who can occupy secondary technical and managerial positions in various sectors of the economy. In Bulgaria, such education is acquired in Vocational high schoolsand Colleges, providing a wide range of specialties, especially in the fields of technology, technology and services.
The documents for educationmust be legalized and accompanied by a notarized translation into Bulgarian. For foreign citizens, it is also necessary certificate of lack of criminal record or an equivalent document proving that the person has not been convicted. In addition, foreigners must present medical certificate, which certifies their state of health, and documents proving the right of residence in the country.
For professions that require a special permit to practice, such as nursing, it is necessary for the person to register in the relevant professional register and obtain permission from the relevant regulatory authorities in Bulgaria. This often involves taking additional exams or providing evidence of acquired skills and experience in the relevant field.
In conclusion, Foreigners from third countries, who want to work in Bulgaria, must prepare fully and thoroughly, collecting and presenting all the necessary documents for their education, professional qualifications and legitimacy for residence and work in the country. The correct and complete submission of these documents is the key to successfully obtaining a work permit in Bulgaria.
The right of residence of foreigners working on the basis of a long-term residence and work permit in Bulgaria is closely linked to the preservation of their employment position. Upon dismissal or termination of the employment contract by the foreigner, the following legal consequences arise:
Foreigners who terminate their employment relationship with a Bulgarian employer may remain in Bulgaria on the basis of other types of residence permits. These include, but are not limited to:
Usually, to obtain a new type of residence permit, foreigners must apply from their country of origin or from a country in which they have legal status. However, there are exceptions that allow the submission of an application from Bulgaria, especially if the foreigner already holds a valid residence permit for other purposes.
If it is necessary to obtain a new visa D, foreigners can apply for it at a consulate or embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in a neighboring country. This may be a more convenient option, especially if returning to the country of origin is difficult for various reasons. It is important to note that the procedure must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance on the conditions and procedure for issuing visas and determining the visa regime, as well as according to the rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Migration Directorate.
For these reasons, we at Elan Consulting advise you to contact us if you have questions about issuing a work permit to a foreigner or are wondering how to extend your stay in Bulgaria if you are fired by your employer!
.webp)
A seasonal worker is a third-country national who retains his or her principal place of residence in a third country and resides legally and temporarily in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in order to perform seasonal work on the basis of one or more fixed-term employment contracts concluded directly with a local employer.
If a foreigner wishes to continue his stay in Bulgaria after the termination of his employment relationship, he must find another reason for residence, for example, work with another employer, study at a university or marry a Bulgarian citizen. However, it is not mandatory for a foreigner to leave Bulgaria before applying for a new residence permit on another basis.
Hiring foreigners in Bulgaria can be difficult due to the complex procedure for legalizing the residence and work activity of foreigners. Fines for unregulated hiring of foreigners are high, and in certain cases criminal liability is also provided. The procedures for obtaining work permits are among the most complicated in the EU, which poses a serious challenge for the majority of Bulgarian employers.
.webp)
.webp)
