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.
Social Security in Bulgaria
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Bulgaria operates a contributory social insurance system managed by the National Social Security Institute (Национален осигурителен институт — НОИ). The system covers: pensions, unemployment benefits, maternity and parental leave, sick leave, and work accident insurance. All employed persons (and self-employed who register as self-insuring) must contribute. Social contributions are split between employer and employee. Bulgaria's social security system is functional but benefits are lower than in Western EU countries due to lower wage levels.
Unified Civil Number / Personal Number
ЕГН (Единен граждански номер) for Bulgarian citizens and EU residents; ЛНЧ (Личен номер на чужденец) for non-EU foreigners
ЕГН: assigned at birth for Bulgarian citizens; EU citizens receive it upon address registration at Rayonna Uprava. ЛНЧ: issued to non-EU citizens by Migration Directorate when granting residence permit.
- All official government interactions
- Tax registration and filing with the NRA
- Social insurance contributions and benefit claims
- Health insurance registration (NHIF)
- Bank account opening
- Employment contracts
- Property purchase and registration
- Driver's licence applications
- University enrollment
- All official forms and applications
Benefits & Support Payments
Unemployment Benefit
Парично обезщетение за безработица
Monthly income replacement for unemployed persons who have been working and paying social contributions.
At least 9 months of social insurance contributions in the last 15 months before unemployment. Must register at Employment Agency (Бюро по труда) within 7 days of losing job. Available to EU and non-EU residents with work permit history.
Register as unemployed at the local Labour Office (Дирекция "Бюро по труда") within 7 days of job loss. Bring: ID/passport, employment record, termination documents. Simultaneously submit benefit claim to НОИ online or in person.
Sick Leave Benefit
Парично обезщетение при временна неработоспособност
Income replacement during illness preventing work.
At least 6 months of social insurance contributions. A valid болничен лист (sick note) from a registered physician required from day 1.
Doctor issues болничен лист electronically (since 2023). Employer submits to НОИ. НОИ pays directly to bank account from day 4.
Maternity Benefit
Парично обезщетение за майчинство
410 days of income replacement for mothers during maternity leave (45 prenatal + 365 postnatal).
At least 12 months of social insurance. Mother must be an insured employee.
Through employer — submit болничен лист for pregnancy/birth, then form for maternity leave to НОИ. НОИ pays directly to mother's bank account.
Work Accident and Occupational Disease Benefit
Обезщетение при трудова злополука и проф. болест
Full salary replacement (100%) during incapacity due to work accident or occupational disease. Lifelong pension for permanent disability.
All insured employees. Work accident must be reported to the НОИ within 3 days.
Employer reports accident to НОИ and labour inspectorate. Medical documentation of injury. НОИ processes claim.
Old Age Pension
Пенсия за осигурителен стаж и възраст
Monthly pension from retirement age for those with sufficient contribution history.
2026: retirement age 64 years (men), 61 years and 6 months (women). Minimum contribution period: 37 years and 8 months (men), 34 years and 8 months (women). Transitional rules apply.
Apply at the regional НОИ office or online at noi.bg. Documents: ID, contribution record (osiguritelen stazh), application form.
Social Assistance (Социално подпомагане)
Месечна социална помощ
Means-tested monthly benefit for individuals and families below the social minimum.
Bulgarian citizens, EU citizens with permanent/long-term residence, non-EU citizens with long-term residence. Income below the guaranteed minimum income level. Must be registered unemployed and actively seeking work.
Apply at the Social Assistance Directorate (Дирекция "Социално подпомагане") in your municipality.
Contribution Overview
Total social contributions in Bulgaria (2026): Employee: 13.78% total (social security 10.58% + health insurance 3.2%). Employer: 18.92–19.62% total (variance due to occupational accident fund rate by sector). Self-insured (самоосигуряващи се лица): pay both employee and employer shares — approximately 29–33% of declared income. Monthly maximum insurable base: EUR 2,111.64 (effective 1 January 2026, source: taxsummaries.pwc.com/bulgaria). Minimum insurable base for employees: the minimum wage (EUR 620.20/month from 1 January 2026). Note: Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 — all prior BGN amounts converted at fixed rate 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR. Social contributions are paid monthly by the employer on behalf of the employee.
International Social Security Agreements
Bulgaria has bilateral social security totalisation agreements with most EU/EEA member states (under EU Regulation 883/2004) — contribution periods in different EU countries are aggregated for benefit entitlement. Non-EU agreements: Bulgaria has agreements with Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and some others. Without an agreement, contribution periods abroad do not count toward Bulgarian benefits.
The Bulgarian НОИ offers an online portal (noi.bg) for checking contribution history, pension projections, and submitting applications. EU citizens can request an E101/A1 certificate confirming which country's social security applies during temporary work abroad. Non-EU citizens should check their country's agreement status before assuming contribution portability.
Social Security
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