Work permits and visas in Bulgaria: An employer’s guide

If you are hiring a new employee or relocating a team member to the Republic of Bulgaria, you need to make sure they have the proper work permit and visa under local immigration laws. Your company also needs to stay on top of labor and tax laws for compliant HR.

Known for its tech hubs in Sofia and Plovdiv and cost-competitive talent, Bulgaria is a standout base for teams in Southeast Europe. In this article, Remote walks you through right-to-work checks, work visa types, and visa requirements for your employee to work in the Republic of Bulgaria.

See also: The complete employer's guide to hiring in Bulgaria

Work authorization check in Bulgaria

If the foreign hire is not from the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland, they can only work in the Republic of Bulgaria through a residence permit authorizing work. Residence permits authorizing work include the single residence and work permit, EU Blue Card, and seasonal worker residence.

Do non-citizens need a work visa or a work permit in Bulgaria?

There is no standalone work visa or work permit in the Republic of Bulgaria. A residence permit with labor market access authorizes employment, usually through the single residence and work permit, or an EU Blue Card.

The employer needs to go through a labor market check with the Bulgarian Employment Agency for a single residence and work permit. After a positive opinion, the worker applies for a long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate to enter Bulgaria, and finalizes their residence card at the Migration Directorate.

Types of work visas in Bulgaria

When companies hire a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, the employee needs an entry visa to enter the country. Here are the different visa types in Bulgaria:

Short-stay visa (Type C Schengen)

The type C visa covers short visits, including tourism, business meetings, conferences, and cultural events. Employment is not allowed on a short-stay visa.

The Republic of Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, meaning all Type C visas issued by Bulgaria are Schengen visas. The C visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (90/180 rule) across the entire Schengen area.

Long-stay visa (Type D)

The type D visa allows foreign hires to take up employment and finalize a residence permit in Bulgaria. A personal interview is mandatory for a Type D visa. Applicants must show medical insurance of at least €30,000 for the trip, along with the other supporting documents.

Candidates file applications for a type D visa at a Bulgarian embassy, consulate, or a Visa Application Center using the official visa application forms and published checklists.

Types of residence permits in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the residence permit is what grants the right to work. Common types of residence permits for employment include:

Single residence and work permit

A single residence and work permit is the standard route for third-country nationals hired by a Bulgarian employer. It’s specific to the employer and role, meaning that the employee needs a new permit if their role or employer changes.

Employers need to obtain a positive labor market opinion from the Bulgarian Employment Agency for a single residence and work permit. The permit is usually valid up to the employment term, and is renewable.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is for roles requiring higher education or equivalent professional qualifications. Applicants need a work contract or binding offer for at least six months, and pay at least the Blue Card salary threshold. Bulgaria sets this threshold at 1.5 times of higher than the national average salary.

The Blue card is valid for up to five years, or at least 24 months. No labor-market test applies to Blue Card cases in Bulgaria.

Seasonal worker residence

A seasonal worker residence is for roles beyond short visits, generally for more than 90 days and up to nine months. If the applicant needs an entry visa, they enter with a Type D visa and finalize the seasonal worker residence with Bulagaria's migration office. 

Eligibility for work authorization in Bulgaria

Here are the eligibility details for Bulgaria’s main residence permits to legally work in the country:

Single residence and work permit

Employers file an application for a single residence and work permit with the Migration Directorate, which must include a positive labor market test from the Bulgarian Employment Agency.

The application typically contains the employee’s identity documents, a criminal record certificate, proof of housing, and evidence of skills and experience that match the job. The permit is issued for up to three years or the length of the employment contract, and it is tied to the specific employer and position.

EU Blue Card

Applicants are eligible for an EU Blue Card if they are skilled professionals who have higher education or equivalent experience, and meet Bulgaria’s salary threshold. Applicants much show an employment contract or a binding offer of at least six months, health insurance, a criminal record certificate, and housing evidence.

Seasonal workers

For short-term work up to 90 days, the applicant enters on a Type C visa if required. The employer registers the seasonal employment with the Bulgarian Employment Agency after the worker's arrival. There is no individual work-permit document for short stays.

For 90 days to nine months, the employer must obtain a seasonal work permit, and the worker applies for a Type D visa before entry to finalize the seasonal residence in Bulgaria. Health and medical insurance is required at the D visa stage and must be maintained throughout the period of work.

Application process for a work visa in Bulgaria 

Work may begin only after the residence card is issued for your foreign hire. Here are the steps to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria:

File application

File the application at the Migration Directorate or a regional office. Migration sends the file to the Bulgarian Employment Agency for a labor market opinion and to the State Agency for National Security for confirmation.

Plan for up to 15 days for the Employment Agency opinion, and around two months for a single permit, and three months for a Blue Card.  

Apply for Type D visa

After a positive labor market test, Migration informs the employer and consular services. The worker then has up to 20 days to file a Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy, consulate, or approved Visa Application Centre. The applicant must pass a personal interview, and prove travel medical insurance of at least €30,000. Visa fees are paid to the mission per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs schedule.

Finalize residence

The applicant travels on a type D visa. Within 14 days of entry, submit passport and health insurance valid in Bulgaria for at least three months. Migration issues the single residence and work permit or EU Blue Card after post-entry documents are accepted. The residence card is printed after the applicant pays issuance fees.

Digital nomad visas in Bulgaria

Bulgaria does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Instead, remote and self-employed professionals can apply for a permit for freelance activity. The freelance permit is issued by the Bulgarian Employment Agency and serves as legal ground to obtain a type D long-stay visa and then a long-term residence permit from the Migration Directorate.

The freelance route is for self-employed third-country nationals who work independently, not under an employment contract in Bulgaria. Supporting documents include:

• A description and plan of the activity
• Proof of at least two years’ professional experience
• Evidence of funds to carry out the activity
• Bulgarian-language proficiency certificate at B1 level
  

The Employment Agency issues the permit within one month after the applicant pays a fee of BGN 400. Initial validity is up to one year, which is renewable on evidence of ongoing activity and compliance.

How Remote can help with work visas in Bulgaria 

To hire or relocate employees to Bulgaria, you need to have your own entity in the country. You also need to navigate immigration laws to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll and benefits according to local tax laws. 

That's why Remote’s Employer of Record service is invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Bulgaria on your company’s behalf. Remote helps you stay compliant with local labor and tax laws, so you can onboard your employees in a matter of days to save time and resources. 

If you already have an entity in the Republic of Bulgaria, Remote can help with international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on Bulgarian work permit applications. 

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.