site.btaBulgarian IT Specialists Push for Longer Paid Annual Leave, Survey Finds

IT professionals in Bulgaria are calling for more paid annual leave - between 25 and 30 days, according to a new survey by DEV.BG. The findings show that the standard 20 days offered by nearly half of employers no longer meet employees’ expectations, as mental health increasingly takes priority. A poll of 119 industry specialists revealed that the most preferred number of paid vacation days is between 25 and 30, followed by a preference for more than 30 days.

As of August 15, 2025, the data show that about 46% of IT companies in Bulgaria provide exactly 20 days of paid annual leave. Another 32.4% offer between 21 and 25 days, while only 17.4% grant more than 25 days of vacation, despite this being the top preference among IT professionals.

“The results clearly show that IT specialists recognize the importance of sufficient rest for their mental health and productivity,” commented Emil Popov, Marketing Manager at DEV.BG, urging employers to reconsider their leave policies.

Beyond longer vacations, flexible working hours also stand out as a key feature of the desired work environment. Nearly 66% of IT companies in Bulgaria offer partial flexibility in working hours, though fixed schedules remain widespread.

For more than 20% of respondents, stress management opportunities are even more important than the number of vacation days, highlighting, according to analysts, the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines rest, flexibility, and mental health support.

Against the backdrop of global calls from major tech companies for employees to return to the office, Bulgarian IT firms offering better work-life balance and flexibility are positioning themselves as more attractive to international talent seeking sustainable working environments, DEV.BG notes.