A foreign company may temporarily assign an employee to Bulgaria to provide services to a Bulgarian client or, in certain cases, to a company within the same corporate group. Where the employee is a non-EU national, the assignment may require both authorisation to work and permission to reside in Bulgaria.
The procedure depends on the worker's nationality, the country in which the employer is established, the nature of the assignment and its duration. This guide focuses on the ordinary posted-worker route, including the situation where a UK company sends a British employee to Bulgaria.
What Is a Posted Worker?
A posted worker is an employee who temporarily performs work in Bulgaria on behalf of an employer established abroad, while the employment relationship with that foreign employer continues.
Typical examples include a UK engineering company sending an employee to install equipment for a Bulgarian customer, or a foreign company assigning a specialist to carry out a temporary project for its Bulgarian subsidiary.
Legal Basis
The ordinary long-term posted-worker route is based on Article 24(1)(1) of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (ЗЧРБ), in conjunction with Article 40 of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (ЗТМТМ).
Under Article 40, the Employment Agency may issue a work permit at the request of the local entity receiving the posted worker. That permit serves as the basis for the subsequent residence authorisation.
The posting itself is also governed by Article 121a of the Bulgarian Labour Code and the applicable rules on posting workers in the framework of providing services.
A posted-worker permit is not the same as a Single Residence and Work Permit, an EU Blue Card or an intra-corporate transfer permit.
Short-Term Assignments
For certain short-term assignments, a registration procedure may be available instead of the ordinary long-term work-permit route.
For example, a UK employee who remains employed and paid by the UK company and is sent to provide services to a Bulgarian client may qualify for short-term employment registration for up to 90 days in a 12-month period, subject to the applicable conditions. Special rules may apply to particular sectors, including tour operators.
The short-term employment registration regime is separate from the general visa-free stay of 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period. Visa-free entry does not automatically authorise employment in Bulgaria.
Long-Term Posted-Worker Permit
Where the assignment requires the ordinary long-term route, the process generally involves four stages.
The Bulgarian receiving entity submits the application to the Employment Agency.
Following the relevant approval, the employee applies for a Bulgarian long-stay visa at the competent diplomatic or consular mission.
After entering Bulgaria, the employee applies to the Migration Directorate or the competent local migration authority.
The employer and receiving entity complete the applicable posting notifications and comply with Bulgarian employment requirements.
The ordinary work permit is generally issued for the duration of the assignment, up to one year. Bulgarian legislation provides for an exceptional extension of up to 12 months where the activity requires the originally declared duration to be exceeded. Any extension must be assessed under the rules applicable at the time.
Main Eligibility Requirements
The authorities will generally examine whether:
- The foreign employer is genuinely established and operating abroad.
- The employee has an existing employment relationship with that employer.
- The assignment is temporary and connected to a genuine service or intra-group arrangement.
- The Bulgarian receiving entity and the work to be performed are clearly identified.
- The employee has the qualifications or professional experience required for the position.
- The proposed remuneration and working conditions comply with Bulgarian requirements.
- The employee has the necessary immigration authorisation before commencing work.
The precise requirements differ depending on whether the application concerns a short-term registration, an ordinary posted-worker permit or an intra-corporate transfer.
Documents for the Work-Permit Application
The receiving Bulgarian entity and the foreign employer should ordinarily prepare the following documents, subject to the requirements of the Employment Agency.
Additional documents may be required depending on the profession, sector, assignment structure and the authority's instructions.
Visa D and Residence Documents
After the employment authorisation stage, the employee will generally need to prepare a separate immigration file. Commonly required documents include:
- Valid passport and completed visa or residence application form.
- The relevant work-permit approval.
- Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria, such as a rental agreement and, where required, a landlord declaration.
- Health insurance meeting the applicable requirements.
- Evidence of sufficient financial means.
- Criminal record certificate, where required.
- Passport photographs and payment of the applicable state fees.
- Any additional documents requested by the competent consulate or Migration Directorate.
Documents issued abroad may need an apostille or other applicable legalisation, together with an official Bulgarian translation. The exact formalities should be confirmed before submission.
Posting Notification and Labour Conditions
Obtaining immigration permission is not the end of the employer's obligations. The applicable posting declaration must be submitted to the Bulgarian General Labour Inspectorate before work begins, and the assignment must comply with the relevant Bulgarian employment standards.
These may include remuneration, working time, rest periods, paid leave, occupational health and safety, and other mandatory conditions. The employer should also review social-security coordination and any applicable bilateral agreement.
UK Citizens: A Practical Example
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Posted-worker residence allows a foreign employer to carry out a temporary assignment in Bulgaria without necessarily transferring the employee onto a Bulgarian employment contract. The correct procedure, however, depends on the assignment structure and duration.
The most important step is to identify the appropriate route before the employee travels or begins work. A short-term registration, ordinary posted-worker permit and intra-corporate transfer are distinct procedures with different requirements.
Need Assistance With a Posted-Worker Assignment?
Corporate Bulgaria can assist with assessing the appropriate immigration route, preparing the work-permit and residence documentation, and coordinating the procedure with the Bulgarian authorities.
This guide provides general information and does not replace an assessment of the particular assignment. Requirements, fees and processing times should be confirmed under the rules in force at the date of application.
