The Bulgarian Single Residence and Work Permit is one of the main routes through which third-country nationals can live and work legally in Bulgaria for a Bulgarian employer.
It combines the right to reside and work in Bulgaria in a single permit, avoiding the need for separate residence and employment authorisations.
The procedure involves both the Bulgarian immigration authorities and the Employment Agency and is linked to a specific employer, position, place of work and employment term.
The Single Permit simultaneously authorises a third-country national to reside and work in Bulgaria. It is generally issued for up to 3 years. Where the employment contract is for a shorter period, the permit is issued for the duration of that contract.
Who Is the Single Permit For?
The Single Permit is intended for third-country nationals who wish to take up employment with a Bulgarian employer and who do not already have unrestricted access to the Bulgarian labour market.
A person who is not a Bulgarian citizen and is not a citizen of an EU Member State, an EEA country or Switzerland.
Main Employment Conditions
The foreign national must be employed by a Bulgarian local employer that satisfies the applicable legal requirements.
The permit is linked to the position, employer, place of work and employment period stated in the application.
Employment and remuneration conditions must not be less favourable than those applicable to Bulgarian employees in the corresponding category of work.
Single Permit Application Procedure
- The employer
- An authorised representative of the employer
- The foreign national personally, where they already hold the relevant long-term residence status
Main Documents Required
- Application form
- Copy of the passport or equivalent travel document
- Criminal record certificate
- Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria
- Employer justification
- Documents proving education, professional qualifications, legal capacity and professional experience
- Employer declarations regarding foreign employees and average staff numbers during the preceding 12 months
- Employer declaration confirming compliance with Bulgarian employment and remuneration conditions
- Certified copy of the signed fixed-term employment contract
- Job description, where applicable
- Evidence that the conditions for practising a regulated profession are met, where applicable
- Mandatory medical insurance
- Recognition certificate for foreign higher education, where required
Employer Obligations After Employment Starts
The employer must notify the Bulgarian General Labour Inspectorate after the foreign national actually starts work.
The employer must notify the Employment Agency in the event of early termination of the employment relationship.
Is the Bulgarian Single Permit the Right Route for You?
The Single Residence and Work Permit is generally suitable where a Bulgarian company wishes to employ a third-country national who does not fall within a special highly qualified employment regime.
Because the procedure involves both immigration and labour-market requirements, the employment structure, job position and supporting documents should be reviewed before the application is submitted.
Hiring a Non-EU Employee in Bulgaria?
Corporate Bulgaria can assist with the Single Permit procedure, including document preparation, employer requirements and the residence and work application process.
