Bulgaria

Employment taxes

• Income tax: Flat 10% on all personal income.
• Social security (employee): 13.78%–14.48%, covering pension, health, unemployment, etc.
• Employer contributions: 18.92%–19.62% on top of gross salary.

Leave policy

• Vacation: 20 paid working days per year
• Public holidays: 13 paid, plus 200% pay if you work them
• Sick leave: First 3 days: 70% paid by employer; days 4+ by NSSI at 80%. Employees are entitled to 180 paid sick days.
• Maternity leave: 410 days total, government-funded.
• Paternity leave: 15 days for employees who have worked for 12 months, paid at 90%
• Parental leave: No law covers parental leave

Employment termination

Termination in Bulgaria can be initiated by either the employer or the employee, but it must follow specific legal procedures and timelines. Termination must be in writing and clearly state the reason. Valid reasons for termination include:

• Redundancy or staff reduction
• Poor performance (must be documented)
• Violation of work discipline or company policies
• Inability to perform the job due to lack of qualifications or health issues
• Expiry of a fixed-term contract
• Mutual agreement, at any time

Notice period is 30 days, unless stated otherwise

Severance depends on employer size and tenure, mandatory in case of redundancy

Hiring and contracts

• Written employment contract required (even for remote work)
• Must detail: job, salary, hours, leave, probation (up to 6 months), termination terms

Payroll and salary payments

• Minimum wage: 1,077 BGN/month (€551)
• Salaries are paid monthly, typically on the last workday
• Payslips detail gross/net salary, tax & social security deductions

Benefits

• Mandatory: Social security, health & accident insurance, pension
• Optional: Private health insurance, meal vouchers, wellness benefits

Monthly living cost (Sofia Edition)

• Rent (1-bedroom apartment in the city center): 800–1,200 BGN (€410–€615)
• Utilities and internet: 175–290 BGN (€90–€150)
• Public transport (monthly pass): 50 BGN (€26)
• Coffee and dining out: 250–350 BGN (€130–€180)
• Groceries: 300–400 BGN (€155–€205)

Estimated total: 1,600–2,200 BGN (€820–€1,130)

Your spending can swing lower or higher depending on your lifestyle, but overall, Sofia is a very cost-friendly place to live.

How to get a local ID number (EIK/ENID)

• Non-residents working in Bulgaria must apply for an EIK/ENID
• Needed for tax, social security, banking.

Social security registration

• Employer registers you with NSSI
• Covers health, pension, unemployment, parental benefits

Banking

• Popular banks: UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, Raiffeisen, UBB
• Easy to open an account with passport + proof of address

Housing and rental process

• Lease agreements usually 1 year, renewable
• Tenant rights protected: security deposit, documented condition
• Landlord must maintain basic utilities.
• Tenant fair treatment in eviction.

Healthcare system

• Public: covered via NSSI; basic services
• Many opt for private clinics for faster, quality care (around 50–100 BGN per visit)

Driving and public transport

• Valid EU licence works fine; non-EU: can exchange licence within 6 months
• Sofia: metro + buses + trams (1.60 BGN per ride)
• Ride-share and taxis are affordable and reliable

Emergency and important contacts

• Police/Fire/Ambulance: 112
• Poison control: +359 2 9154 409

Work permit and visa requirements

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No work permit needed. Just register with local authorities if staying longer than 90 days.
• Non-EU citizens: Need a Type D visa followed by a long-term residence permit and work authorization (usually sponsored by an employer).
• Blue Card option: Available for highly qualified non-EU professionals; valid for up to 4 years with family reunification rights.
• Remote workers/freelancers: No official digital nomad visa yet, but many enter on long-stay visas or use local partnerships for compliance.
• Processing times can take 6–8 weeks, so plan ahead and make sure your documents are in order.

Business culture and work norms

• Casual yet respectful. Hierarchy respected, but flat structures common in tech
• Expect direct communication, teamwork, and coffee breaks.
• Punctuality is valued, but relationships matter, building trust goes a long way