Bulgaria Needs 50,000 Foreign Workers in 2025: Your Complete Guide to Applying and Working There

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Bulgaria Needs 50,000 Foreign Workers in 2025: Your Complete Guide to Applying and Working There

Bulgaria is facing an urgent labor shortage across multiple sectors, with tourism, construction, and healthcare hit hardest. To bridge the gap, employers must recruit approximately 50,000 foreign workers this year. With over 36,000 permits already issued in 2024, Bulgaria is actively seeking international talent. If you’re considering working abroad, here’s everything you need to know to apply, secure a visa, and land a job in Bulgaria in 2025.

Why Bulgaria Needs Foreign Workers in 2025

  1. Aging Population
    • Nearly 22% of Bulgarians are over 65, shrinking the local workforce.
  2. Emigration to Western Europe
    • Continued outflow of young professionals leaves critical skill gaps.
  3. Low Domestic Uptake
    • Many Bulgarians are unwilling to work in seasonal, manual, or lower-paid roles.
  4. Rapid Tourism Growth
    • Summer and winter resorts need staff for hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
  5. Infrastructure Expansion
    • Major projects in transportation, renewable energy, and construction require skilled labor.

Sectors with the Greatest Demand

  • Tourism & Hospitality
    • Hotel staff, restaurant servers, tour guides, resort maintenance.
  • Construction & Infrastructure
    • Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, general laborers, civil engineers.
  • Healthcare & Aged Care
    • Nurses, caregivers, medical assistants, rehabilitation therapists.
  • Agriculture & Food Processing
    • Farmhands, packers, machine operators, greenhouse technicians.
  • Transport & Logistics
    • Truck drivers (Class C/E licenses), warehouse workers, forklift operators.
  • IT & Engineering (High-Skill)
    • Software developers, network engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers.

Where Are Bulgaria’s Foreign Workers Coming From?

In 2024, Bulgaria issued permits to over 36,000 workers from 79 countries. Top source countries include:

  1. Türkiye – ~8,000
  2. Uzbekistan
  3. Kyrgyzstan
  4. Nepal
  5. Moldova

Smaller numbers arrive from India, the Philippines, and African nations—particularly for healthcare and agricultural roles.

Also Check: UK Work Visa Process For Foreigners June 2025: Types, Requirements and Application Process

Challenges in Bulgaria Work Permit Process

Despite urgent demand, the work permit process can take 6–9 months due to:

  1. Bureaucratic Delays
    • Multiple agencies (Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local labor offices) coordinate permits.
  2. Outdated Procedures
    • Paper-based forms and slow inter-departmental communication.
  3. Staff Shortages in Administration
    • Few officers processing the growing volume of applications.
  4. Quota Restrictions
    • Company-specific and sector-specific limits hinder rapid hiring.

These delays particularly affect seasonal businesses—hotels, restaurants, and farms—which need workers precisely during peak months.

Legal Limits on Hiring Foreign Workers

Under current Bulgarian labor law:

  • Large Enterprises: Foreign workers may not exceed 20% of the total workforce.
  • Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Cap of 35% foreign employees.

Expected in mid-2025: government proposals to raise these quotas to sustain tourism and construction demands.

Visa & Work Permit Options for 2025

1. EU Blue Card

  • Ideal for: Highly skilled professionals (IT, engineering, healthcare).
  • Requirements:
    • Job offer with a salary ≥ 1.5× national average (approx. €36,000/year).
    • University degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • Validity: Up to 4 years, renewable; path to permanent residency after 33 months (21 months with B1 level Bulgarian).

2. Single Work Permit (SWP)

  • Ideal for: Non-EU nationals filling roles not on shortage lists.
  • Sponsored by: Bulgarian employer.
  • Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually.
  • Process:
    1. Employer applies to the Regional Labor Office (RLO) on behalf of the employee.
    2. RLO issues an approval letter.
    3. Applicant applies at Bulgarian consulate for a D-visa.
    4. Enter Bulgaria; convert D-visa into a residence permit for employment.

3. Seasonal Work Visa (D-visa)

  • Ideal for: Short-term or seasonal roles in tourism, agriculture, and hospitality.
  • Duration: Up to 9 months in any 12-month period.
  • Requirements:
    • Employer letter specifying seasonal role and duration.
    • Proof of accommodation and minimal funds (approx. €350/month).
  • Process:
    1. Employer issues Certificate of Invitation via the Ministry of Interior.
    2. Applicant applies for a D-visa at the consulate.
    3. Travel to Bulgaria; register at the local Migration Office within 5 days.

4. Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit

  • Ideal for: Multinational companies relocating existing employees to a Bulgarian branch.
  • Requirements:
    • Employment contract and internal transfer agreement.
    • Minimum 3 months with the employer outside Bulgaria.
  • Validity: Up to 2 years; renewable.

Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for a Single Work Permit

  1. Secure a Job Offer
    • Find an employer willing to sponsor you (seek listings on Jobs.bg, Zaplatomer.bg, LinkedIn).
    • Ensure your occupation code matches the Labor Office’s classification.
  2. Employer Submits Work Permit Application
    • Employer applies to the Regional Labor Office (RLO) providing:
      • Job description, salary, and justification for hiring a foreigner.
      • Company registration documents.
    • RLO issues an Approval Letter within 4–6 weeks (varies by region).
  3. Apply for a D-Visa at the Bulgarian Consulate
    • Submit:
      • Valid passport (≥ 6 months validity).
      • RLO Approval Letter.
      • Completed National Visa Application Form (D-Visa).
      • Proof of accommodation and funds.
      • Two passport-style photos.
      • Travel medical insurance for initial 30 days.
    • Pay the D-visa fee (€80–€100).
    • Consular decision: ~ 2–3 weeks.
  4. Travel to Bulgaria & Register
    • Arrive within the visa validity period (usually 3 months from issuance).
    • Within 5 days, register at the local Migration Directorate (Ministry of Interior).
    • Obtain your Residence Permit for Employment (€90 application fee).
    • Undergo a medical check at a panel physician if required.
  5. Commence Work & Maintain Compliance
    • Begin employment as per your work permit.
    • Extensions: Employer applies to the RLO 30 days before permit expiry.
    • After 5 years of continuous legal stay, you may apply for long-term resident status.

Tips to Maximize Your Chances

  1. Local Language Basics
    • Learn conversational Bulgarian (even basic phrases) to stand out.
  2. Prepare a European-Style CV
    • One-page resume, clear formatting, include references if available.
  3. Certify & Translate Documents
    • All foreign documents (degrees, certificates, police reports) must be translated into Bulgarian and apostilled.
  4. Be Flexible
    • Willingness to work shifts, weekends, or in multiple locations increases appeal.
  5. Stay Informed

Conclusion

With a 50,000-worker shortfall in 2025, Bulgaria is actively recruiting foreign talent across tourism, construction, healthcare, and more. By understanding visa options (EU Blue Card, Single Work Permit, Seasonal Visa, ICT), preparing your documentation, and applying early, you can secure sponsored employment and join Bulgaria’s workforce.

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