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Work & Study in Bulgaria

Work & Study in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a less popular destination for international students in Europe, but students who choose this particular country are going to obtain excellent education and other competitive opportunities and advantages. In fact, as the connections between Bulgarian higher education institutions and other European universities increase and deepen, students will enjoy a wealth of opportunities for their future careers.

Since 2007, Bulgaria has become a member of the European Union. It welcomes international students who wish to stay and work after finishing their studies at one of the country’s universities. In the next lines, we will discuss the opportunities that await students who want to work in Bulgaria. Let’s dive in!

Student Employment in Bulgaria

You can work part-time while studying in Bulgaria if you are a foreign student. You can only work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Students from outside the EU must get a work visa to work and earn money in Bulgaria. Your experience and education will have a significant influence on how much money you can make. You can expect to make at least 7.25 -10 US dollars per hour, depending on your work experience. If you have a solid and highly specialized experience, you can earn more than 10 US dollars.

If you’ve secured a job, your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf with the National Employment Agency. Your employer must show to authorities that hiring Bulgarian/EU/EEA nationals for the role is difficult. Your potential employer must also follow the following guidelines:

  • The total number of non-EU nationals employed by the business was less than 20% of the total number of individuals hired in the previous 12 months.
  • The suggested working and compensation conditions are not less beneficial than those for Bulgarian citizens.
  • You have the knowledge, abilities, and professional experience required for the job.

Start-Up & Investment Visas

Instead of seeking a regular job after finishing your studies, you can establish your own business in Bulgaria. Indeed, the country is known as a great hub for new startups in East Europe. This move will grant you a startup visa. You and your family will be eligible for a one-year residence permit in Bulgaria, which can be renewed yearly. You will be eligible for permanent residency after 5 years of residence in Bulgaria. However, your startup should meet some requirements, such as:

  • It has value and actual benefit.
  • It has a minimum capital needed for servicing the startup (150-300 euros per year).
  • The startup provides effective and innovative solutions.
  • At least 10 Bulgarian citizens work on the project.

Is It Easy to Find a Job in Bulgaria?

Getting a job in Bulgaria is not as difficult as many people tend to believe. If you are skilled in technology and economics, you easily can secure a good job. Qualified and expert expats can find plenty of work opportunities, but salaries are still lower than in Western Europe.

If you’re doing well in school and have some free time on your hands, you can start searching for a part-time or full-time job by two means:

Job Search websites: Both Jobs.bg and Zaplata.bg are great websites in Bulgaria for those who want to find career opportunities. If you type a keyword in their search buttons, you’ll get a list of all open positions! Zaplata.bg provides an English version, making it easier for you to search for vacancies.

Social media: Joining active Facebook groups is another great approach to staying informed about current vacancies and looking for the perfect job for you. Thankfully, many Facebook groups are available just for this purpose, and people use multiple languages when they post new job openings. Russian is the most widely spoken foreign language in Bulgaria, followed by English, which is the second most widely spoken foreign language.

Jobs Options for Students

As a student, you can take a variety of roles, including:

  • Driver
  • Barista
  • Bartender
  • Classroom assistant
  • Library assistant
  • Teller

Highest-Paying Jobs in Bulgaria

After your graduation, you may start to think about finding work and staying in Bulgaria. Here is a list of high-paying jobs in the country:

  • Information Technology Project Manager
  • Logistics & Maritime Transport Expert
  • Finance Manager
  • Technical Director
  • Marketing Director
  • Leasing Director

Citizenship Process

You can obtain Bulgarian citizenship if you meet certain requirements. Naturalization happens after receiving a permanent residence permit within the last five years, demonstrating proficiency in the Bulgarian language, having sufficient funds or money to provide for yourself, and having no criminal record.