EU Blue Card in Bulgaria — Employer Guide (2026)

What You Will Learn

• What the EU Blue Card is and the advantages it provides
• Who can apply — three qualification pathways
• The minimum salary threshold and how it is calculated
• Step-by-step procedure — from preparation to commencement of work
• Required documents and how they are legalised
• Comparison: Blue Card vs Single Permit for work
• How the holder can obtain permanent residence
• Employer obligations throughout the employment

What Is the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work permit issued to highly qualified third-country nationals — persons who are not citizens of an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland.

Legal Framework

The Blue Card is governed at two levels:

EU level:

• Directive (EU) 2021/1883 — the revised Blue Card Directive, replacing Directive 2009/50/EC. Transposed into Bulgarian law from 2023. The revision significantly broadened access — introducing three qualification pathways, facilitating employer changes, and enhancing intra-EU mobility.

National level:

• Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (FRBA) Art. 33k–33p — issuance procedure
• Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (LMLMA) Art. 17–20 — conditions for highly qualified employment
• Implementing regulations (PPFRBA and PPLMLMA) — detailed rules on documentation and procedure

Advantages of the Blue Card

• No labour market test — unlike the Single Permit, the employer does not need to prove that no suitable Bulgarian or EU candidate was found
• Longer validity — up to 5 years (with renewal), compared to 3 years for the Single Permit
• Intra-EU mobility — after 12 months, the holder may move to another EU Member State
• Pathway to permanent residence — after 5 years in the EU (2 years in Bulgaria)
• Family reunification — simplified procedure for spouse and children

Who Can Apply

Under Art. 17 of the LMLMA, “highly qualified employment” requires meeting one of three alternative conditions.

Pathway A: Higher Education

The applicant holds a higher education diploma with a minimum duration of 3 academic years (bachelor’s degree or higher). The diploma must be:

• Legalised — with an apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or through consular legalisation
• Translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator
• Recognised — if from a country with which Bulgaria has no mutual recognition agreement, recognition by NACID may be required

Pathway B: Special List (Including IT)

For positions on the special list approved by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, professional experience for the period specified in the list is accepted, at a level comparable to higher education. This pathway is particularly relevant for the IT sector — software engineers, system architects, data specialists, DevOps engineers, and other technology roles.

Professional experience is documented through:

• Employment records or references from previous employers
• Reference letters describing the position and period
• Portfolio or certificates (for IT positions)

Pathway C: 5 Years of Professional Experience

For positions not included in the special list under Pathway B, the applicant must have at least 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to higher education, in the field related to the position.

This pathway applies to managers, financial specialists, marketing directors, and other positions requiring high qualifications where the applicant does not hold a formal higher education degree.

Salary Requirement — ~EUR 2,054/Month

Salary is the primary quantitative criterion for the Blue Card.

How the Threshold Is Calculated

The minimum gross monthly salary must be 1.5 times the average gross salary in Bulgaria. The average salary is determined using data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

Based on the average gross salary for Q4/2025 of BGN 2,678 (EUR 1,369):

• Threshold = 1.5 x 2,678 = BGN 4,017 (~EUR 2,054/month)
• Annual: ~EUR 24,648

Key Points

• The threshold is calculated based on the latest 12 months of NSI data available before the date the employment contract is concluded
• The average salary is updated quarterly — the threshold may vary slightly
• The salary must be gross (before taxes and social security)
• The employment contract must be for a minimum of 6 months

Net Salary

At a gross salary of EUR 2,054, the employee’s net salary (after deductions for social security and income tax) is approximately EUR 1,590–1,620, depending on the specific parameters.

Step-by-Step Procedure

The Blue Card issuance procedure has six main stages.

Stage 1: Employer Preparation

Timeframe: 2–4 weeks

1. Post the job vacancy — publish the listing. For the Blue Card, the 15-day labour market test is not required (unlike the Single Permit)
2. Conclude an employment contract with the foreign national — minimum 6 months, salary at least 1.5x the average
3. Secure accommodation — a lease agreement or other document proving housing arrangements

Stage 2: Application at the Migration Directorate

Timeframe: 1 day

The application is submitted by the employer, an authorised representative, or the foreign national themselves (if they already hold a long-term residence permit) at the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.

Document package:

• Application form
• Employment contract (minimum 6 months)
• Legalised and translated diploma (or proof of professional experience)
• Employer justification for hiring a foreign national
• Declaration on the number of third-country nationals employed (for quota compliance)
• Declaration on employment conditions
• Proof of accommodation (lease agreement)
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin (not older than 6 months)
• Passport copy (valid for at least 18 months)
• Recent photograph

Stage 3: Checks by the Employment Agency and National Security

Timeframe: 2–4 weeks

The Migration Directorate forwards the documents for review to:

• Employment Agency — opinion within 14 days. The Agency checks ex officio: outstanding obligations to the NRA, penalty orders from the Labour Inspectorate, and quota compliance
• State Agency for National Security (SANS) — opinion within 10 days on national security risks

Stage 4: Migration Directorate Notification

Timeframe: 3–5 days

Upon positive opinions, the Migration Directorate:

• Notifies the employer within 3 days
• Sends a communication to the Consular Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The overall decision period for the Migration Directorate is up to 60 days from submission. If additional checks are needed — up to 3 months; in cases of particular complexity — + 1 month.

Stage 5: Type D Visa

Timeframe: 3–6 weeks

1. The employer notifies the foreign national of the positive decision
2. The foreign national applies for a Type D visa at the Bulgarian consulate within 20 days of notification
3. The visa is issued within 30 days (in complex cases — up to 60 days)

Stage 6: Arrival and Commencement of Work

Timeframe: 1–2 weeks

1. The foreign national arrives in Bulgaria on a Type D visa
2. Within 7 days of starting work — the employer notifies the Labour Inspectorate
3. Within 14 days of entry into Bulgaria — the foreign national submits a copy of the visa to the Migration Directorate
4. The Blue Card (plastic card) is issued — typically within 1–2 weeks

Total Duration

With well-prepared documents, the realistic timeline is 3–4 months from submission to actual commencement of work. With incomplete documents or complications — up to 5–6 months.

Required Documents

From the Employer

Document	Notes
Application form	Signed by the legal representative or authorised person
Employment contract	Min. 6 months, salary min. 1.5x average
Justification	Why a foreign national is needed for this position
Declaration on number of foreign employees	Compliance with the 20%/35% quota
Declaration on employment conditions	Conditions no less favourable than for Bulgarian citizens
Proof of accommodation	Lease agreement or title deed
Company registration	UIC (verified ex officio)

From the Foreign National

Document	Notes
Higher education diploma	Legalised (apostille/consular), translated into Bulgarian
Or: proof of professional experience	References, employment records — legalised and translated
Criminal record certificate	From country of origin, not older than 6 months
Passport	Valid for at least 18 months
Health insurance	Coverage for the territory of Bulgaria
Recent photograph	Per ID document requirements
Proof of funds	Sufficient means for initial stay

Blue Card vs Single Permit — Comparison

Criterion	EU Blue Card	Single Permit for Work
Qualification	Higher education / 5 yrs experience / special list	No specific requirement
Minimum salary	1.5x average (~EUR 2,054/month)	Not less favourable than for Bulgarian citizens
Labour market test (15 days)	NOT required	YES — mandatory
Maximum validity	Up to 5 years	Up to 3 years
Intra-EU mobility	Yes — after 12 months	Limited
Pathway to permanent residence	5 yrs in EU, of which 2 yrs in Bulgaria	Standard route (5 yrs continuously in Bulgaria)
Family reunification	Simplified procedure	Standard procedure
Foreign employee quota	20% (35% for SMEs)	20% (35% for SMEs)

When to Choose the Blue Card

• The candidate is highly qualified (higher education or significant professional experience)
• The salary exceeds EUR 2,054/month
• You plan long-term employment (over 3 years)
• The candidate may seek intra-EU mobility in the future
• You want a faster procedure (no labour market test)

When to Choose the Single Permit

• The candidate does not meet the Blue Card qualification requirements
• The salary is below the Blue Card threshold
• The position is for a shorter period (up to 3 years)

Pathway to Permanent Residence

The Blue Card is not just a work permit — it is a stepping stone to permanent residence in the EU.

EU Long-Term Resident Status

• 5 years of lawful and continuous residence in the EU
• Of which at least 2 years continuously in Bulgaria (the last country of residence)
• Periods spent in different EU Member States with a Blue Card are cumulated

What the Status Provides

• Permanent residence in Bulgaria — no renewal required
• Unrestricted access to the labour market — no additional permit needed
• Equal treatment with Bulgarian citizens in areas such as education, social security, and taxation
• Right of residence in other EU Member States (subject to local law restrictions)

Intra-EU Mobility

After 12 months of residence in Bulgaria with a Blue Card, the holder may apply for a Blue Card in another EU Member State. Periods in different countries are cumulated for long-term residence purposes.

Employer Obligations

Upon Hiring

• Notify the Labour Inspectorate — within 7 days of commencement of work
• Comply with the quota — maximum 20% foreign nationals (35% for SMEs) of the average headcount
• Salary — not less than 1.5x the average gross salary
• Employment conditions — no less favourable than those for Bulgarian citizens in a comparable position

During Employment

• Changes in conditions — upon any change (salary, position, working hours), the employer notifies the Migration Directorate
• Maintaining the salary above the minimum threshold — if the average salary increases, the Blue Card threshold also rises

Upon Termination

• Notify the Migration Directorate — within 3 days of termination
• Notify the Labour Inspectorate — under the standard rules for employment contract termination

Restriction on Changing Employers

During the first 12 months, the Blue Card holder may change employers only with authorisation from the Migration Directorate. After 12 months — free change with notification.

Frequently Asked Questions