Bulgaria (BG)
Bulgaria is the oldest state in Europe (founded 681 AD), a member of the European Union since 2007, and one of the most affordable countries for expats in the EU.
Employment Rights
Sick leave, dismissal protection and red flags in Bulgaria.
Employment in Bulgaria is governed by the Labour Code (Кодекс на труда), which provides strong worker protections aligned with EU standards. Key rights include minimum wage (BGN 1,213/month from January 2026), minimum 20 days annual leave, maternity leave, and protection against unfair dismissal. Employment contracts must be registered with the NRA within 3 days of starting work. The General Labour Inspectorate (Изпълнителна агенция "Главна инспекция по труда" — ИА ГИТ) enforces labour law. Expats have the same rights as Bulgarian employees once employed legally.
Sick leave
Rules: Sick leave (болничен лист) requires a medical certificate from a doctor from the first day of incapacity. The employer pays for the first 3 working days (70% of the average daily salary for the past 18 months). From the 4th day, the National Social Security Institute (НОИ) pays 80% of the reference salary.
Doctor note: Day 1 — a болничен лист (sick note) from your GP or treating physician is required from the first day you are unable to work.
Employer pay: Employer pays 70% of reference daily salary for the first 3 working days of sick leave.
Long-term: From day 4: НОИ pays 80% of average daily insured salary for the last 18 months. Long-term sick leave (болничен) can last up to 18 months continuously. After 18 months, application for permanent disability pension may be made.
Dismissal protection
Law: The Labour Code provides significant protection against unfair dismissal. Employers must have a valid legal ground listed in the Labour Code to dismiss an employee. Particularly protected categories: pregnant women, employees on maternity/parental leave, employees with serious illness, trade union representatives, and employees near retirement age. Dismissal must be in writing and state the legal ground.
Deadline to sue: Claims for unfair dismissal must be filed with the court within 2 months of the dismissal date. For claims related to salary non-payment: 3 years from when payment was due.
Probation
Trial period (изпитателен срок) is legal for up to 6 months for positions requiring special qualifications, and up to 3 months for standard positions. During the trial period, either party can terminate the employment without notice. The trial period clause must be explicitly stated in the employment contract. An employee can be on trial period only once for the same position at the same employer.
Notice periods
Standard notice period: 30 days (minimum, applies to both employer and employee). Parties can agree up to 3 months in writing. For trial period: no notice required. For serious misconduct (грубо нарушение): immediate termination without notice is possible. Collective redundancy: additional consultation requirements apply.
Working time
Max hours: Standard working time: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Maximum with overtime: 48 hours/week (averaged over reference period). Overtime must be approved in advance and paid at premium rates.
Min rest: Minimum daily rest: 12 hours between shifts. Minimum weekly rest: 48 consecutive hours (typically Sat–Sun). Annual leave minimum: 20 working days.
Overtime: Overtime is paid at premium rates: weekday overtime 150% of normal rate; weekend overtime 175%; public holiday overtime 200%. Maximum overtime: 150 hours/year. All overtime must be recorded. Compensatory time off can substitute payment if agreed in writing.
Vacation
Minimum paid annual leave: 20 working days (4 calendar weeks) per year. Employees with specific hazardous or difficult working conditions may be entitled to additional leave (22–26 days). Leave accrues from the start of employment. Unused leave can be carried over for 2 years. Leave during trial period is allowed but limited. Public holidays are additional to annual leave — there are approximately 15 public holidays in 2026. Annual leave must be scheduled in the annual leave plan (утвърден годишен план).
Anti-discrimination
The Protection Against Discrimination Act (Закон за защита от дискриминация) prohibits discrimination in employment on grounds of: race, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, and other personal characteristics. The Commission for Protection Against Discrimination (КЗД) handles complaints. EU Directives on equal treatment are fully transposed into Bulgarian law.
Contract red flags
- !Verbal employment agreement only — always demand a written signed contract before starting work
- !Contract not registered with the NRA (Национална агенция за приходите) — your employer must register it within 3 days; ask for confirmation
- !No written specification of working hours, salary, or job role
- !Salary paid partially "on the envelope" (part formal, part cash/undeclared) — illegal, means lower social contributions and lower sick leave/maternity benefits
- !Trial period longer than 6 months — illegal under Bulgarian Labour Code
- !Notice period longer than 3 months — exceeds legal maximum
- !Contract terms that waive mandatory Labour Code rights — void under Bulgarian law
- !No provision for overtime compensation
- !Requiring personal loan guarantee for employment — illegal
- !Employment contract that classifies you as a contractor (grazdanski dogovor) when you are effectively an employee — reduces your rights and social protections
Employment Rights
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