Bulgaria

Last Update by Marta, 20 Nov 2024

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Exchange Rate

01 Dec 2024

 

Cost of Living

Indicative value for a working adult in a city: Sofia

Publicly available data (Numbeo, etc..), verified by Marco’s in-country staff

Living Requirement Indicative Amount (BGN)
McDonalds Set Meal 15
Monthly Train and Bus Tickets 50
3 Bedrooms Rental (City Center) 1,954
3 Bedrooms Rental (Outskirt) 1,320

Current Inflation Rate

2.1%

Wage

Minimum Wages

  • 933 BGN per month

Median Salary

Estimated based on general positions such as HR, Accounting, Admin roles, in tier one cities.

Job Level Monthly Salary (BGN)
Entry-Level
Fresh Graduate
 950
Mid-Level
5 Years
 1,500
Experienced & Managerial Level
10 Years
 3,000
Specialized & Senior-Level
15 Years
 >3,000

Annual Salary Growth

14.7%

Statutory Contribution

Country Level

Type Employer Rates Employee Rates Notes
Pension Fund (1st pillar) 8.22% 6.58% All insured staff
Minimum insurance income: BGN 933
Maximum contribution base: BGN 3,750
Universal Pension Fund (2nd pillar) 2.8% 2.2% Obligatory for staff born after 1960
Unemployment Fund 0.6% 0.4% All insured staff
Minimum insurance income: BGN 933
Maximum contribution base: BGN 3,750
Health Insurance Fund 4.8% 3.2% All insured staff
Minimum insurance income: BGN 933
Maximum contribution base: BGN 3,750
Common Disease and Maternity Fund 2.1% 1.4% All insured staff
Minimum insurance income: BGN 933
Maximum contribution base: BGN 3,750
Accidents and Occupational Diseases Fund 0.4–1.1% - All Staff

Other Benefit

Other common employment benefits in Bulgaria include:

  • Food Voucher: Around 200 BGN per month
    (Up to BGN 200 per month it is a non-taxable benefit)
  • Multisport Card: Around 100 BGN per month fully paid for by the employer, or split between employer and staff
  • Additional health insurance: Around 100 BGN

Income Tax

Residents

  • Tax period: 1st January - 31st March
    Filing Due Date: 30th April the following year
  • Flat rate of income tax: 10%

Non-residents

  • Depends on the double taxation agreement between countries. Typically, only income originating in Bulgaria is taxed: 10%
  • A tax resident is an individual who meets one of following criteria:
    - Residence in Bulgaria for at least 183 days in a calendar year
    - Have their centre of life interests in Bulgaria

Working Hours

Statutory

40 hours
8 hours, 5 days a week

Typical practice

40 hours
Monday-Friday

Overtime

Up to 150 hours per calendar year

  • Working days or at night: 150% regular pay
  • Weekends: 175% regular pay
  • Public holidays: 200% regular pay

Employment Contract

Permanent

Contract Format

Written, in Bulgarian

Payroll Currency

BGN

Probation

Cannot exceed 6 months

Contract Period

No maximum duration

Termination

The contract may be terminated by the employer, the employee or by mutual agreement

  Voluntary Resignation Involuntary Termination Economic Layoff
Notice Period - Probation - Up to 8 days' service: 24 hours - 8 days -1 month service: 48 hours - 1 month service: 2 weeks - 3 months' service: 1 month - Up to 8 days' service: 24 hours - 8 days -1 month service: 48 hours - 1 month service: 2 weeks - 3 months' service: 1 month - Up to 8 days' service: 24 hours - 8 days -1 month service: 48 hours - 1 month service: 2 weeks - 3 months' service: 1 month
Notice Period - Regular - 30 days minimum - Up to 3 months can be agreed between employee and employer - 30 days minimum - Up to 3 months can be agreed between employee and employer - 30 days minimum - Up to 3 months can be agreed between employee and employer
Severance Pay - - Dismissals for closure/ partial closure of establishment, staff cuts: 1 month’s salary - If within 1 month the employee does not find a job or a job with a lower salary - an additional 1 month salary (to make up for the difference in salary) - Dismissal due to disability, hazard or health staff with 5 years 'service and has not received severance in the past 5 years: 2 months’ salary - Dismissals for closure/ partial closure of establishment, staff cuts: 1 month’s salary - If within 1 month the employee does not find a job or a job with a lower salary - an additional 1 month salary (to make up for the difference in salary) - Dismissal due to disability, hazard or health staff with 5 years 'service and has not received severance in the past 5 years: 2 months’ salary

Public Holiday

12 days

Country Level

Date Name
01 Jan New Year's Day
03 Mar - 04 Mar Liberation Day
01 May Labour Day
03 May - 06 May Orthodox Easter
06 May St. George's Day
24 May Culture and Literacy Day
06 Sep Unification Day
22 Sep - 23 Sep Independence Day
01 Nov National Awakeners Day
24 Dec - 26 Dec Christmans Day

Leave

Leave Type Entitlement Notes
Annual Leave 20 working days All staff with 4 months of work experience
Sick Leave Up to 18 months All staff with 6 months social security conbtributions
Maternity Leave 410 calendar days
45 days before birth, 365 after birth 		Expectant mothers with 12 months' social security contributions
Paternity Leave 15 calendar days Expectant fathers who are married and share a household with the mother
Adoption Leave 365 calendar days All staff who adopt a child aged 2-5
Shared Parental Leave Balance of mother's leave Expectant mothers transferring leave to fathers when child reaches 6 months

Reference

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