Changing Employers in Bulgaria on a Work Permit

Changing employers in Bulgaria (Република България — Republic of Bulgaria) on a work permit depends on your permit. Under the law in force in autumn 2026, the right of residence on a single permit ends on the day your employment ends, and there is no change-of-employer procedure — so your new employer must apply for a new single permit with the Migration Directorate before you leave your current job. A bill to introduce employer changes after six months, in line with the EU Single Permit Directive, passed its first reading in Parliament in September 2026. EU Blue Card holders already have clearer rules: changes need authorisation in the first 12 months and only a notification after that. This EU Helpers guide explains each route — international candidates can explore Bulgarian opportunities through EU Helpers. Bulgaria has been an EU member since 2007, a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025 (air and sea borders since March 2024), a eurozone member since 1 January 2026, a NATO member since 2004 and a Council of Europe member since 1992.

Essential Context: How Bulgarian Work Permits Are Tied to Employers

Your permit type decides how you can change jobs.

When You Can Change Employers in Bulgaria

• Voluntary move on a single permit — your new employer files a new single permit application while you still hold your current permit; do not end your current job until the new permit is approved.
• Dismissal or redundancy — under current law, your right of residence ends on the date your employment ends; get advice immediately.
• Blue Card holders — after 12 months, you can move to a new employer that meets the Blue Card conditions by notifying the authorities.
• Long-term residents — after five years of residence and EU long-term status, you can change jobs freely.

The Step-by-Step Process

Single Permit Holders

1. Secure a written offer from a Bulgarian employer that has space within its quota for foreign staff (20% of headcount, or 35% for SMEs).
2. The new employer advertises the vacancy and prepares a justification for hiring you, as required for the single permit.
3. Because you already hold a long-stay residence permit, you can file the new application yourself with the employer co-signing, or the employer files it.
4. The Employment Agency gives its opinion within about 15 days; the Migration Directorate then decides.
5. Once the new single permit is approved, resign from your current job with the correct notice.
6. Your new employer notifies the Labour Inspectorate within 7 days of you starting work.

EU Blue Card Holders

1. Check that the new job meets the Blue Card salary threshold (1.5 times the average gross salary) and lasts at least 6 months.
2. In your first 12 months, apply to the Migration Directorate for authorisation to change employers.
3. After 12 months, notify the authorities of the change.
4. Start the new job once authorised or notified, as applicable.

Documentation You Will Need

Timing: How Long the Switch Takes

Rules on Notice, Probation and Severance

• Notice — under the Bulgarian Labour Code, notice for an indefinite contract is 30 days unless a longer period (up to three months) is agreed; fixed-term contracts have their own rules.
• Probation — contracts can include a probation period of up to six months, during which either side can end the contract without notice.
• Severance — resigning does not usually entitle you to severance; compensation for unused paid leave is paid on leaving.
• Employer duty — your employer must notify the Migration Directorate within 3 days of the end of your employment.

Salary and Benefits When Switching

Single permit holders must receive pay and conditions no less favourable than Bulgarian workers in the same role. Blue Card holders must keep a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average gross salary. Since 1 January 2026, salaries are paid in euro. If you sponsor family members, check that your new income still meets the family reunification test.

Risks and Common Mistakes

• Resigning before the new permit is approved — your right of residence ends when your employment ends.
• Starting work before approval — working without a valid permit is a breach for both you and the employer.
• Choosing an employer at its quota limit — check the new employer can hire another foreign worker.
• Assuming the new law applies — the change-of-employer bill was not yet in force in autumn 2026.
• Blue Card salary below the threshold — the new job must still qualify.
• Forgetting family members — their permits depend on yours.

Special Cases

• Seasonal workers — seasonal permits are tied to the seasonal job.
• Intra-corporate transferees — ICT permits are tied to the group employer.
• Long-term residents — can change jobs freely.
• Moving to another EU country — Blue Card holders can use intra-EU mobility after 12 months in Bulgaria.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — no permit is needed.

Final Guidance

Changing employers in Bulgaria on a work permit needs careful timing. Under current law, a single permit ends with your employment and there is no change-of-employer procedure, so your new employer must obtain a new single permit — with job adverts, a quota check and an Employment Agency opinion — before you resign. Watch for the bill that would allow changes after six months, which passed its first reading in September 2026. Blue Card holders can change with authorisation in their first 12 months and by notification after that. Always confirm current rules with the Migration Directorate before resigning. International candidates can explore Bulgarian opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with offer reviews, new single permit applications, Blue Card notifications, timing and documents.