Nationals of Moldova and Georgia

The Agreements allow Moldovan and Georgian nationals to work in Bulgaria without the need of a work permit, but with a mandatory residence permit.

• Workers for an initial period of up to one year, with the possibility of subsequently extending their residence permit for a total period of up to three years;
• Seasonal workers – employed for a period defined by the Bulgarian legislation (starting from 90 days, with the possibility of extension up to 9 months).

Migrant workers have the same labour rights and obligations as local workers and benefit from equal protection in the workplace in accordance with Bulgarian legislation, as well as the same legal protection regarding their personal and property rights as that provided to Bulgarian nationals.

The Agreements do not impose quotas or restrictions on the employment of workers in specific economic sectors.

• Economic sector and geographical region in which the job activities are carried out;
• Number of migrant workers to be hired;
• Requirements that migrant workers must meet in order to be employed;
• Deadline for submission of documents and selection of candidates;
• Duration of employment;
• General information about working conditions, salary, and housing;
• Date of arrival of approved candidates at the workplace on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• Information regarding the payment of travel expenses to and from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Moldovan/Georgian candidates should contact the National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia to check the current job offers in Bulgaria.

• The Agency/Department has information about employers, available positions, working conditions, salaries, and accommodation.
• The list of job vacancies is available at the National Employment Agency of Moldova and the Department of Labour and Social Policy of

Application requirements (candidates must meet the following conditions and be able to prove them with documents):

• Be over 18 years of age;
• Completed vocational education / training / qualification and/or relevant work experience in accordance with the requirements of the occupational profile of the job they are applying for;
• Be in good health condition, which enables them to carry out the duties of the position.

Candidates who have found a suitable position should submit a job application to the National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

Required documents:

1. Diplomas and certificates – proof of completed education, professional qualification and work experience;
2. Other documents that may be required in compliance with the legislation of the host country for occupying the position indicated by the employer in the job offer, including regulated professions;
3. A copy of the passport – the page showing the photo and the personal data;
4. Two colour photographs – size 3.5 × 4.5 cm.

The National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia conducts a preliminary selection of candidates based on the criteria defined by the employer and approved by the Joint Selection Committee / Joint Selection Commission.

• If the candidate is approved at this stage: their name will be included in the list of approved candidates, which will be sent to the Employment Agency in Bulgaria.
• If the candidate fails to meet the criteria or fails to submit a complete set of documents by the deadline, they will receive a reasoned refusal.

After receiving the list of candidates:

• The Bulgarian employer reviews the documents and makes the final selection.
• The candidate may be invited to an interview or a practical exam for the respective profession, upon the employer’s request and at the employer’s expense.

If the candidate is approved:
Тhe employer confirms to the Employment Agency of Bulgaria that they will hire the candidate. The candidate receives information about the contract terms, departure date, and workplace.

If the candidate confirms their willingness to be hired:
Тhe National Employment Agency of Moldova / Тhe Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia will refer them for medical examinations that are a mandatory requirement.

Before travelling to Bulgaria, approved candidates must undergo a mandatory medical examination in Moldova/Georgia to confirm that there are no health-related obstacles preventing them from performing the job or profession for which they have been approved. This must be completed within 7 working days of the date of receiving the approval.

Upon approval, candidates will receive a medical examination card, which the National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia will send to the Employment Agency in Bulgaria.

Candidates must submit a visa application, which is processed with priority by the Bulgarian consular offices in Moldova/Georgia.

The visa includes:

• Type, purpose, and duration of stay on the territory of Bulgaria.

The National Employment Agency will organize a pre-departure meeting to provide more information to the approved candidates regarding their rights and obligations related to their employment in Bulgaria, including:

• The individual employment contract;
• The rights and obligations of workers and employers in Bulgaria;
• Bulgarian culture and traditions.

Approved candidates will sign an individual fixed-term employment contract (before departure, the contract is signed remotely in PDF format) in Bulgarian and Romanian/Georgian, in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation. Upon arrival in Bulgaria, the original version of the contract and the job description are signed again.

The contract will contain information about:

• The name and address of the employer;
• Personal data of the approved candidate;
• Job description;
• Salary, working hours and obligations;
• Working conditions;
• Accommodation and social security contributions;
• Provisions on termination or extension of the contract;
• Responsibilities of the parties in case of non-compliance with the requirements of the individual employment contract and ways to settle legal disputes;
• Payment of travel expenses to and from the territory of Bulgaria.

A copy of the contract is sent to the Employment Agency in Bulgaria.

The date, time, and place of departure and arrival of the approved candidates are coordinated in advance by the Employment Agency in Bulgaria and the employer. Their reception is also pre-arranged, with the National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia being informed of the details.

The employer covers the travel expenses to and from Bulgaria.

The National Employment Agency of Moldova / the Department of Labour and Social Policy of Georgia will inform the approved candidates about the date and place of their arrival.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, the approved candidates will be met by the employer (or their representative) in the presence of a representative of the Bulgarian Employment Agency and will be transported to their accommodation.

Upon arrival, the approved candidates must also apply in person for a residence permit (in cases where the employment exceeds 90 days), and the Employment Agency will notify in advance the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of their arrival.

Once the one-year contract expires, the employer may extend it for a total duration of up to three years.

In the case of seasonal workers, employment beyond the term specified in the individual employment contract is not permitted.