site.btaNearly 25,000 Third-Country Nationals Arrived to Work in Bulgaria in 2025; Experts Say They Are a Key Labour Resource

The Employment Agency issued work permits and registrations in 2025 to 24,642 third-country nationals employed in Bulgaria, according to data provided by the agency to BTA. The most common sectors of employment were hospitality and restaurants, agriculture and forestry, and construction. Some foreign workers were also employed in healthcare, trade, transport and industry, while others worked in information creation and distribution and creative industries.

The Employment Agency granted standard work permits to 1,295 citizens of Turkiye, North Macedonia and India. Seven permits for self-employed activity were issued to nationals of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

A total of 19,057 people were registered for seasonal employment of up to 90 days, mainly from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye. Another 4,211 foreign nationals from Turkiye, North Macedonia and India arrived for short-term employment of up to 90 days. The Employment Agency also registered 72 foreign nationals of Bulgarian origin, from Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine, who worked in trade, manufacturing, transport, warehousing and postal services, the data show.

The agency clarified that four procedures are carried out jointly with the Migration Directorate: the Single Permit for Residence and Work, the EU Blue Card, the Seasonal Worker Permit (up to nine months), and the Intra-Corporate Transfer Permit.

Significant Need for Staff

According to Nadya Vasileva, Chair of the Bulgarian Employment Confederation, the Employment Agency’s data indicate growing interest among foreign nationals to work in Bulgaria. "We are beginning to intensify this process of importing labour," she said, adding that easier procedures and reduced documentation requirements are also important.

Vasileva noted that this trend is driven by Bulgaria’s demographic situation and the fact that some sectors are unattractive to Bulgarian workers. "This does not mean we are losing Bulgarian jobs," she stressed.

Foreign workers are employed across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, warehousing and transport companies, she added.

Asked whether Bulgarians who might return from abroad under the "Choose Bulgaria" programme could meet the labour shortages, Vasileva said this would not be sufficient. In her view, there is no conflict between attracting returning Bulgarians and recruiting workers from abroad.

Expected Trends in 2026

In 2026, challenges related to geopolitical developments and risks to supply chains are expected to persist, Vasileva said. She argued that human-resources managers need to develop more sustainable and diversified recruitment strategies.

The expert also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI). With greater use of AI, people could have more free time to focus on their personal lives and health, she said, noting that AI already takes over much of the operational workload.