Work permit for foreigners in Bulgaria — a guide for employers

Who needs a work permit in Bulgaria

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland work in Bulgaria freely, without a permit. A permit is needed for citizens of third countries — for example Nepal, India, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, Vietnam or Egypt.

A foreigner has no right to work on a short-stay tourist or business visa. The exception is seasonal work of up to 90 days, which the employer registers with the Employment Agency.

Types of work permits for third-country nationals

The law provides for several separate regimes. The choice depends on the position, the term and the worker's qualification:

Single permit for residence and work

The single permit combines the two things a worker needs — the right to reside and the right to work — in one procedure and one document. The regime follows the EU Single Permit Directive.

Since 1 June 2021 the application is filed not with the Employment Agency but with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or its regional offices. The Migration Directorate sends the documents for an opinion to the Employment Agency and the State Agency for National Security (DANS). The Employment Agency assesses whether the company and the position meet the conditions. After a positive opinion the worker gets a visa, arrives and receives a card that states the employer.

The permit is issued for the term of the employment contract, but for no longer than 3 years, and can be renewed. The worker may work only for the employer, in the position and at the place stated in the permit.

Conditions for labour market access and grounds for refusal

The Employment Agency grants access when three conditions are met:

1. the company is within the quota for third-country nationals;
2. working conditions and pay are no less favourable than those for Bulgarian citizens in the same position;
3. the worker has the knowledge, skills and experience required for the job.

Access is refused if the employer:

• has an effective penalty decision in the last 2 years for employing a foreigner without the right to work;
• has, on its own initiative, dismissed Bulgarian or EU citizens in the last 3 months who could fill the same position;
• has announced collective redundancies for the same positions in the last 6 months;
• has established debts to the state, unless they have been rescheduled or deferred;
• carries out no real economic activity or is in liquidation or insolvency.

Access is also refused when the worker has been sanctioned for illegal work in the last 5 years.

Quota for third-country nationals — calculator

The number of third-country nationals employed by one company under employment contracts over the last 12 months may not exceed 20% of the average number of its employees. For small and medium-sized enterprises the limit is 30%. A small or medium-sized enterprise is a company with up to 249 employees and an annual turnover of up to €50 million or assets of up to €43 million.

The quota is checked for the single permit for residence and work. For the EU Blue Card and for seasonal employment the law has separate rules — we check them case by case.

Documents for the single permit for residence and work

From the employer

• an application in the prescribed form to the Migration Directorate;
• an employment contract with the worker, which enters into force after the permit is granted;
• a job description and the experience requirements;
• a statement of the third-country nationals already employed — name, citizenship, grounds and term of residence;
• documents for the worker's education, qualification and experience — translated and legalised;
• a copy of the worker's passport.

From the worker — when receiving the card

• a passport with a type D visa;
• compulsory medical insurance valid for at least 3 months, if the worker is not yet insured in Bulgaria;
• a document for accommodation, for example a rental agreement;
• proof of payment of the state fee.

The worker must appear in person — an authorised representative is not accepted. The exact list depends on the case, which is why we clarify it at the start, so that no documents are returned.

Type D visa — the long-stay visa for work

The type D visa is the long-stay national visa with which the worker enters Bulgaria to receive the card. The application is filed at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate that serves the worker's country — for example, Nepali citizens usually apply in New Delhi.

The application is filed in person and includes an interview. The consul checks whether the worker knows for whom, where and in what position they will work. A well-prepared candidate passes the interview calmly — which is why the preparation is part of our work.

After arrival: residence card, employment contract and notifications

1. The worker appears in person at the Migration Directorate and files the documents for the card.
2. The Migration Directorate issues the permit — the card that states the employer.
3. The employment contract is registered with the National Revenue Agency, as for any employee.
4. The employer notifies the Labour Inspectorate of the start of work.

A missed notification to the Labour Inspectorate is one of the most common violations found during inspections. We send you the ready form.

Seasonal work for foreigners — up to 90 days and up to 9 months

Seasonal employment is available for agriculture, forestry and fishing, and for hotels and restaurants. There are two options:

In seasonal employment the employer provides suitable and safe accommodation or assists in finding it. The rent must be proportionate to the salary and is not deducted automatically from it.

EU Blue Card — for highly qualified specialists

The Blue Card is for positions that require high qualification. The main conditions are:

• higher education of at least 3 years or — for certain occupations — at least 5 years of professional experience at a comparable level;
• a gross salary at least 1.5 times the national average according to the latest data of the National Statistical Institute;
• an employment contract of at least 6 months.

The card is issued for up to 5 years. The quota does not apply to the Blue Card.

Penalties for employers who hire without a permit

Work without a permit or registration brings a financial penalty for the company and a fine for the worker. The more serious consequence is another one: an effective penalty decision is a ground for refusing new permits for 2 years. A single violation can stop a company from hiring people from abroad for a long time.

Changes to labour migration law in 2026

The rules are changing in 2026. Here is what matters to employers as of the end of September:

• Draft from January 2026 — the Ministry of Labour proposed quotas higher by 5 percentage points each and hiring outside the quotas for projects of national importance.
• 16 September 2026 — Parliament adopted at first reading amendments to the Foreigners Act. They provide compensation for the worker when their access is withdrawn through the employer's fault, and a written agreement for the accommodation an employer gives a seasonal worker.

The changes are not final until adopted at second reading and published. We follow them and update this page.

Frequently asked questions about the work permit

The information on this page is general and does not replace advice on a specific case. Last check of the legislation: September 2026.