According to Bulgarian labor law, employees are classified into three categories – one, two, and three. The third category is the most popular and has favorable working conditions. The Council of Ministers does the segregation of employees.
Employee Contract
Public and Provincial Holidays
Leave Information
Basic
Employment contracts signed by both employer and employee can be in any language. However, the Bulgarian authorities can request a copy of the Bulgarian translation (if needed).
Probation Period
In Bulgaria, the probation period is up to six months.
13th Month Pay
There is no legal provision for the 13th-month salary.
Employee Benefits
-
Social Security
-
Health Insurance
-
Accident Insurance
In Bulgaria, salary administration is managed every month, with salaries paid on the last working day of each month.
The monthly minimum wage for employees in Bulgaria is BGN 1,077 (Bulgarian lev).
Work done beyond normal hours is compensated as per the mutually accepted employment contract. Also, there are maximum limits put in terms of working hours for the extra.
Employer Payroll Cost:
Employers have to make the following contributions to every employee they maintain.
| Scheme |
Employer’s Contribution |
| Pensions Fund |
8.88% |
| Additional Pension Insurance |
3% |
| General Disease and Maternity Fund |
2.10% |
| Unemployment Fund |
0.60% |
| Accident at Work and Occupational Diseases Fund |
0.4-1.1% |
| Health Insurance |
4.80% |
Employee Payroll Cost:
| Scheme |
Employer’s Contribution |
| Pensions Fund |
5.92% |
| Additional Pension Insurance |
2% |
| General Disease and Maternity Fund |
1.40% |
| Unemployment Fund |
0.40% |
| Accident at Work and Occupational Diseases Fund |
- |
| Health Insurance |
3.20% |
Employee Income Tax
In Bulgaria, the income earned is taxed at a flat rate. Tax residents have to pay for their worldwide income, while non-residents only pay for their income sourced from Bulgaria.
| Category |
Income Tax Rate |
| Income from employment relationships |
10% |
|
Income from business activity as a sole
proprietor as well as other business activities
|
15% |
| Income from dividends and liquidation shares |
5.00% |
| Income from interest on bank accounts |
8.00% |
| Income of non-resident persons from a source inside Bulgaria |
10% |
|
Income from any cash prizes and merchandise awards awarded
at competitions and contests which are not provided by an
employer or a commissioning entity
|
10.00% |
VAT
The standard VAT rate in Bulgaria is 20%.
Bulgaria maintains a standard process for termination based on the reasons listed in the labor law. The termination notice must be communicated in writing and sent to relevant government departments.
Legally, the notice period is 30 days, but in common practice, it can even be 90 days.
Severance pay
The pay varies based on the termination type, but severance pay is mandatory when applicable. The amount of severance should not be less than four months’ gross salary and has to be paid no later than seven days after the termination.
The essential documents to obtain if you are planning to work in Bulgaria:
- Work Permit
- Type D Visa
- Residence Permit