Employment Lawyers in Bulgaria

The Labour Code is one of the most complex laws due to the fact that it must cover a wide range of aspects. If you have a company in Bulgaria or employees who need specific services related to this domain, our Bulgarian employment lawyers can help you navigate it by giving specialized advice and support.

Below, we invite you to discover the services offered by our employment lawyers in Bulgaria.

Services provided by our employment lawyers in Bulgaria

We would first want to mention that our services are divided into corporate and non-corporate solutions, available for employers, respectively employees. This way, our law firm in Bulgaria will ensure each party will benefit from a personalized approach.

Our services for Bulgarian companies employing workers imply:

guidance in drafting all recognized types of employment contracts;
support in amending employment-related documents;
assistance in understanding and enforcing employer’s rights;
support in termination of employment relations;
legal representation in labour litigation.

We would also like to point out that our employment lawyers in Bulgaria can also assist foreign companies with operations on the local market. These too must abide by the Bulgarian Labor Code.

With respect to employees, they can rely on our Bulgarian employment attorneys for:

revision of work contracts;
assistance in employment-related clauses before signing a labour agreement;
legal support in termination of employment relation by dismissal or resignation;
assistance in employment disputes.

If you are a foreign citizen interested in immigration to Bulgaria based on employment, apart from our relocation services, we also recommend getting in touch with our labour lawyers for guidance.

The labour agreement – the most important employment-related document

Our employment lawyers in Bulgaria can represent both employers and workers in explaining to both parties their rights and obligations when entering such agreements. Specifically:

when it comes to employers, we can advise on the types of contracts they can propose to employees based on their schedule, activities, and other particular business aspects;
for employees, our labour lawyers can provide the needed assistance in understanding the conditions of employment related to their work.

Our Bulgarian employment lawyers can explain in detail the specifics of each type of contract and can also offer support in understanding one of the newest concepts in terms of employment: remote work.

We are also at the service of digital nomads who want to relocate to Bulgaria and work from here.

Dedicated support for hiring foreign employees

Speaking of digital nomads, one of the latest trends is for Bulgarian companies to hire foreign workers. Also, for foreign businesses operating through branches and subsidiaries, transferring employees is also often met.

For local companies we can assist with the procedure of applying for work and residence permits in Bulgaria. For foreign enterprises, the employee relocation procedure implies meeting certain requirements by both the employer and employee(s).

Feel free to get in touch with our employment lawyers in Bulgaria for complete information on aspects related to the conditions of working with foreign citizens.

The Labor Code

The Bulgarian Labour Code governs all employment relationships in Bulgaria. It applies to all employment contracts concluded between Bulgarian employers and employees and between Bulgarian citizens and foreign legal entities in Bulgaria.

Our employment lawyers in Bulgaria can help you with all the necessary information about the employment laws in Bulgaria, if you are planning to do business and hire employees in Bulgaria.

A Bulgarian employment contract must be concluded in writing and it should, at the very least, include specific information such as:

a job description;
a description of the work place and conditions;
duration of the employment contract and the notice period;
remuneration and other benefits for the employee.

Employees in Bulgaria are protected against unlawful dismissal and they are entitled to certain benefits. The Bulgarian Labour Law observes some general principles, applicable throughout the European Union: labour freedom and protection, social dialogue, equal rights for men and women and general non-discrimination laws.

Types of employment contracts in Bulgaria

There are two types of employment contracts in Bulgaria – fixed term and with an indefinite period. Fixed term employment contracts in Bulgaria can only be concluded for a maximum period of three years or for a shorter amount of time until the work stipulated in the contract is completed. This type of employment contract can be concluded for seasonal work and short-term activities.

Employment contracts concluded for an indefinite period of time cannot be transformed into fixed term contracts. This type of contract is less risky for the employee and it can be terminated under certain circumstances, by observing the appropriate notice period.

Working conditions in Bulgaria

The normal working day in Bulgaria has eight hours and the working week has a usual duration of 40 hours. Special provisions apply for night work and overtime. Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to an annual paid leave (no less than 20 working days). Upon request, the employee may be granted unpaid leave of up to 30 days per year.

According to the Bulgarian Labour Law, mothers are entitled to maternity leave and they can use a number of days before the child is born. The father is also entitled to paternity leave once the child is born, subject to the mother’s consent and according to the remaining days of the available maternity leave.

Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to the minimum wage in Bulgaria. Our Bulgarian employment lawyers can offer you more information about the rights of the employees and about the liability of the employers if these rights are not observed.

Termination of an employment relationship in Bulgaria

Employers can only dismiss employees in Bulgaria if they have a valid legal cause. The grounds for dismissal can be personal and economic. Contract termination can be by mutual consent or unilateral. The unilateral termination occurs when one of the parties has breached the agreement or when current conditions make it impossible to continue the employment relationship.

The applicable notice periods are: one month for employment contracts concluded for an indefinite amount of time (unless otherwise specified in the contract, but no more than three months) and three months for fixed term contracts.

Social security contributions in Bulgaria are divided between the employer and the employee. The total social security insurance contribution is between 32.7% and 33.4% of gross income (including 8% health insurance) (the employer pays 18.92%-19.62% and the employee 13.78%).

Labor force statistics in Bulgaria

According to data collected by the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, for 2025:

the employment rate for people aged 15 to 64 was 70.9%;
out of these, 74.2% of men aged 15 to 64 had a job, while 67.5% of women in the same category were employed;
the employment rate for people aged 20 to 64 was 77.0%;
people aged 55 to 64 had a 71.2% employment rate.

Our lawyers are also at your disposal if you want to apply for citizenship in Bulgaria.

Our law firm in Bulgaria can offer you detailed information about doing business in Bulgaria and the legislation for foreign investments. Please contact our employment lawyers for a personalized offer.