Question 1

What is the Single Permit in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

It is the combined work and residence permit for non-EU nationals employed by a Bulgarian company. It bundles work authorisation and residence into one card and is renewable, but it is subject to a workforce quota and a labour-market test.

Question 2

How is the EU Blue Card different from the Single Permit in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

The EU Blue Card is for highly qualified professionals and offers a longer validity period (up to 5 years), EU-wide mobility, and no labour market test or quota. The Single Permit is for standard employment and is subject to both. The Blue Card is usually the smoother route for the highly qualified.

Question 3

What is the minimum salary for the EU Blue Card in Bulgaria in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 threshold is around €23,500 gross per year (about €1,960 per month), set at 1.5 times the national average salary and updated by the National Statistical Institute. This is one of the lowest Blue Card thresholds in the EU.

Question 4

Did Bulgaria really adopt the euro?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria adopted the euro, replacing the lev. Salary thresholds, fees, and salaries are now expressed in euros.

Question 5

Is Bulgaria in the Schengen Area?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bulgaria is now a full member of the Schengen Area, so a valid Schengen visa allows entry, and once you hold your residence card, you can travel freely within the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa alone does not authorise work.

Question 6

Why is Bulgaria attractive for skilled workers?

Accepted Answer

Because it combines EU access with low barriers: the lowest income tax in the EU at a flat 10%, one of the most accessible EU Blue Card thresholds, a low cost of living, and a booming IT and outsourcing sector centred on Sofia.

Question 7

How long does a Bulgarian work visa take?

Accepted Answer

The Single Permit usually takes a couple of months, including the labour-market opinion. The EU Blue Card is often faster because no labour-market test applies. Renewals should be filed at least two months before expiry.

Question 8

Can I get an EU Blue Card without a university degree?

Accepted Answer

Under the revised Blue Card rules, Bulgaria may allow qualification based on at least five years of relevant professional experience comparable to a higher-education qualification, as an alternative to a formal degree.

Question 9

Which jobs are most in demand in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

IT and outsourcing are by far the strongest sectors, especially in Sofia and Plovdiv, followed by engineering, finance and fintech, healthcare, and seasonal tourism on the Black Sea coast.

Question 10

How much can I earn in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Bulgaria has the lowest wages in the EU, but also the lowest taxes and cost of living. IT roles pay well above the national average, and with a flat 10% income tax, take-home pay is high relative to gross.

Question 11

What is the flat tax in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Bulgaria applies a flat 10% personal income tax on employment income — the lowest in the EU — with no progressive brackets. Social security contributions are capped at an annually set maximum.

Question 12

Can my family come with me to Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Single Permit and EU Blue Card holders can bring their spouse and minor children through family reunification, with the right to work and access to healthcare and schooling. Blue Card holders enjoy favourable rules.

Question 13

Can I apply for permanent residence in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence. EU Blue Card holders can apply for EU long-term resident status after five years of EU residence, of which at least two are in Bulgaria, with periods in other EUstatess cumulatively counted

Question 14

What is the workforce quota?

Accepted Answer

For the Single Permit, foreign nationals may not exceed 20% of a company’s average headcount (35% for SMEs). The EU Blue Card is exempt from this quota, which is one reason it is the preferred route for highly qualified individuals.

Question 15

What documents do I need for a Bulgarian work visa?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid passport, a signed contract meeting the salary threshold, NACID-recognised diplomas, labour-market test evidence (for the Single Permit), health insurance of at least €30,000, a recent criminal record certificate, and proof of accommodation.

Question 16

What is NACID recognition?

Accepted Answer

NACID is Bulgaria’s national centre for the recognition of foreign qualifications. As of 2025, foreign degrees used in a work-permit application must be recognised by NACID, so start this early.

Question 17

Do I need to speak Bulgarian to work in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Not for most IT and international roles, which often operate in English. However, Bulgarian is required for regulated professions such as medicine, nursing, and law, where professional registration depends on language proficiency.

Question 18

Can I change employers in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

The Single Permit is generally tied to your employer. EU Blue Card holders may change employers only with authorisation in the first 12 months, and more freely with notification afterwards.

Question 19

What health insurance do I need?

Accepted Answer

For the Type D long-stay visa, you need health insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage. Once employed, your employer must insure you under the mandatory health insurance system on the same basis as Bulgarian nationals from July 2025 onward.

Question 20

What is the ICT permit?

Accepted Answer

The intra-corporate transfer permit covers senior managers, specialists, and graduate trainees employed by a multinational and transferred to a related Bulgarian entity. It is a separate route with its own conditions.

Question 21

What happens if my Bulgarian permit expires without renewal?

Accepted Answer

Working or residing in Bulgaria after your permit expires is unlawful and can lead to penalties, deportation, and a Schengen entry ban. File renewals at least two months before expiry.

Question 22

Are there seasonal work options in Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The seasonal worker permit covers agriculture, hospitality, and tourism for more than 90 days and up to nine months, with strong demand on the Black Sea coast. It does not usually lead to permanent residence.

Question 23

Why was my Bulgarian work visa rejected?

Accepted Answer

Common reasons include a salary below the threshold, exceeding the workforce quota, foreign degrees not recognised by NACID, health insurance below €30,000, or documents that are not legalised or translated.

Question 24

Can moving2europe.eu help me move to Bulgaria?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We identify the right route, handle NACID recognition and documents, liaise with Bulgarian employers, especially in IT, and manage the Single Permit or EU Blue Card and family reunification from start to finish.