Recruitment Agency in Bulgaria
a leading recruitment agency in Bulgaria, connects you with top talent.
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Your Trusted Partner for Recruitment in Bulgaria
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Key Takeaways
- Bulgaria has one of Europe’s highest employment rates for skilled workers.
- Bulgaria’s strategic location affords employers access to both the European and Asian markets.
- Companies may use recruitment agencies that specialize in temporary, permanent, executive, or industry-specific employment.
- When choosing an agency, companies should prioritize the agency’s experience and expertise in recruiting candidates for specific industry roles.
Over the past three decades, Bulgaria has seen significant economic growth, transforming itself from a command economy into a market-based one. Having joined the EU in 2007, Bulgaria enjoys both the legal security and market access afforded by its integration into the European Economic Area (EEA).
Despite the economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment levels have remained stable with a record low of 3.7% reported in quarter three of 2022. Low unemployment is associated with both the country’s gradually declining population and increased job creation in the private sector, where the main industries include: manufacturing, metal processing, textiles and wood processing, retail, services, and construction.
Bulgaria’s skilled workforce, diverse economy, and European economic integration have made the country an attractive destination for international expansion and recruitment. EU directives coupled with generous social security protections and strong economic developments have afforded the country a unique appeal for local and foreign companies alike.
Bulgaria has proved itself to be resilient in the face of geopolitical tensions and global inflation and is poised for further economic growth, supported by investments into human capital and infrastructure.
Overview of Bulgaria Recruitment Industry
In addition to sustaining a low unemployment rate, employment levels are rising equally, with noticeable increases in the services sector. In 2022, in the North Central Region, the processing industry saw the most job openings, with a total of 5853 vacancies reported in automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, furniture making, and beverage production.
Job openings closely followed this in the public sector, where 1705 vacancies were reported in the finance and insurance industry and 1282 vacancies were recorded in the education sector. Despite increases in formal employment, the informal sector still remains a large employer of the national workforce, accounting for 19% of employment.
As a consequence of informal employment, many workers and businesses in Bulgaria face inadequate pension coverage, lost tax revenues, and low productivity rates. Addressing informality through better employment opportunities and engaging with employers to provide training programs is key to improving working conditions and increasing productivity.
Bulgaria has expanded its education to help support job seekers. According to the OECD, the number of tertiary graduates has increased, affording employers access to a more skilled and qualified workforce.
Recruit in Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers a highly educated, multilingual EU workforce with strong talent in IT, tourism, shipbuilding, and pharmaceutical industries.
We source pre-vetted candidates across industries, handling local salary benchmarks and Bulgarian labor law requirements.
No local entity needed. Your team can start in days.
What are the Benefits of Recruiting in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan aims to facilitate higher-paid job creation through increasing access to targeted training and incentivising students to remain in education for longer. The plan supports curricula updates and prioritizes STEM profiles whilst enabling long-distance learning and promoting investment in the education sector.
These initiatives will ensure that employees have the skills and knowledge needed to perform technical roles whilst simultaneously supplying employers with more qualified workers.
Affordable Workplace
In Bulgaria, the cost of hiring an employee is significantly less than in other EU and Western nations. The average gross salary of an employee in Bulgaria is €1278 – €2300 a month, depending on the profession.
As a result, companies recruiting in Bulgaria can acquire the same level of talent at a fraction of the cost, making recruiting in Bulgaria an economically sensible decision.
Strategic Location
Bulgaria’s location also affords companies unique dual market access. Situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Bulgaria is positioned perfectly for collaboration and trade with both Eastern and Western companies. The country’s strategic location allows for easy communication and connectivity, facilitating a smoother integration for both Western and Eastern employees.
What Legal Considerations Apply when Recruiting in Bulgaria?
All employers are obliged to comply with the provisions outlined in the Bulgarian Labor Code. This legal framework governs working conditions and labor relations in Bulgaria.
Contracts
Employment contracts in Bulgaria must be written in Bulgarian or English and signed within a month of the employment commencing. The contract should contain identification details and specify the nature of the work, the start date, salary, the place of work, the work hours, termination provisions, and probation conditions.
The two most common types of employment contracts in Bulgaria are fixed-term and indefinite contracts. Fixed-term contracts may not exceed three years and are terminated upon completion of the agreed work. Indefinite contracts specify an end date and provide the employee with continuous employment.
A work permit is not required for EU nationals in Bulgaria. However, third-country nationals will need permission to enter the Bulgarian labor market.
Working Hours & Overtime
The standard working week in Bulgaria is a total of 40 hours, typically divided into eight hours per day. Employees who work for more than the maximum hours are entitled to compensation at the following rates: 50% for overtime during work days, 75% for overtime during work holidays, and 100% for overtime during public holidays.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to 26 days of vacation leave, though employers may choose to extend this leave. Expectant mothers in Bulgaria are entitled to 410 days of maternity leave, which is one of the longest maternity leave durations in the world.
Though mothers may choose to return to work earlier, a minimum of 45 days leave prior to the birth must be taken. Only employees who are registered with the National Insurance Institute against the risk of general illness and pregnancy are entitled to a minimum of 12 months compensation paid at a rate of 90% of their mean gross salary.
If an employee is sick, the employer is required to fully cover their leave for the first two days. Following the second day of sick leave, the National Social Security Institute will pay the employee their salary at a rate of 80%. The employer is also required to pay 70% of the employee’s salary during the month in which they are sick.
Contributions
Employers and employees are required to contribute to the National Social Security Institute. Their contribution comprises 17.3% towards basic social security, 5.0% towards pension insurance, and 8.0% towards health insurance. Of these contributions, the employer pays 60%, and the employee contributes the remaining 40%.
What are the Downsides of Recruiting in Bulgaria?
Whilst Bulgaria has one of Europe’s highest employment rates for skilled workers, it also has one of the lowest for non-skilled workers. Despite education being free and having expanded greatly, more still needs to be done to incentivise students to stay in education for longer. Low labor force participation rates, particularly for women, are also a pressing issue for the country.
The OECD Skills for Jobs project indicates that many manual workers with low labor market prospects could easily gain the skills needed to access higher-paid employment opportunities. As a result, targeted training is key to diversifying, upskilling, and strengthening Bulgaria’s labor force.
How to Choose a Recruitment Agency in Bulgaria
Recruitment agencies must have the legal expertise and industry experience needed to ensure that companies remain compliant with Bulgaria’s labor and taxation laws and EU laws. As failing to comply with both national and industry-level legislation can make companies liable for financially and reputationally damaging penalties, it is crucial that the provider is experienced in helping companies navigate foreign employment laws.
Companies must consider both their long-term goals and budget requirements when choosing a recruitment agency in Bulgaria. The agency should provide a clear, effective and affordable service that is informed by and structured around the company’s specific workforce needs. Agencies should collaborate with companies to understand the company’s hiring needs and use this knowledge to inform efficient and cost-effective hiring strategies.
Recruitment agencies tend to differ in the services they offer, with some providing a specialized service that focuses on one particular industry and others affording companies more generalized staffing solutions. Companies must ensure that the provider they choose has the relevant industry expertise needed to understand the requirements and nuances of the role they are looking to fill. Companies must also make certain that the agency has a strong track record of connecting employers with skilled professionals who can support their organizational goals.
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