Full Legal & Compliance Framework
Cross-border employment law is complex. Personela absorbs that complexity so your business stays protected, audit-ready, and 100% compliant with the Bulgarian Labor Code and EU regulations.
Built on Bulgarian Labor Code & EU Framework
Our compliance team specializes in the Bulgarian Labor Code, Employment Promotion Act, and EU regulations that govern third-country worker placement in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Labor Code & Employment Promotion Act
Full compliance with Bulgarian labor law, minimum wage rules, and working conditions.
Bulgarian Single Permit (Type "D" + Residence)
Combined work and residence permit processed via the Bulgarian Employment Agency and Migration Directorate.
EU Single Permit Directive (2011/98/EU)
Bulgaria's national implementation of the EU framework for non-EU worker authorization.
GDPR Compliance
Candidate data handled per Regulation (EU) 2016/679 with documented consent and retention policies.
Every Document, Every Filing
Work Permits
Application, employer sponsorship, renewal management.
Visas & Residency
Long-stay D visas, residence permits, biometric appointments.
Employment Contracts
Compliant with host-country labor codes in candidate's native language.
Tax Registration
Local tax ID, withholding setup, year-end reporting.
Social Insurance
National insurance registration, contribution filings, A1 certificates.
GDPR Data Handling
Consent records, data processing agreements, retention compliance.
12+ Bulgarian Cities
Active placements and legal capacity across Bulgaria.
Licensed & Accredited
POEA License
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-licensed recruitment agency.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management system certified for recruitment operations.
Bulgarian Employment Agency License
Registered with the Bulgarian Employment Agency for foreign worker placement.
Ethical Recruitment
Signatory of the IOM IRIS ethical recruitment framework.
Transparency Without Exception
No Hidden Fees
Every cost detailed upfront. No surprise charges, no margin tricks.
Audit-Ready Records
Complete documentation trail for every placement, every permit, every payment.
Worker Protections
Zero recruitment fees charged to workers. Fair contracts, fair wages, dignity always.
What the paperwork actually means
- Labour-market access
- The decision by the Employment Agency of Bulgaria that allows a specific employer to hire a specific non-EU worker for a specific role. It is the gate everything else depends on, and it usually takes 30 to 45 days.
- Type D visa
- A Bulgarian long-stay visa. The worker applies for it at the Bulgarian embassy in their home country once labour-market access is granted; it is what lets them enter the country to take up the job. Typically 35 to 60 days.
- Single residence and work permit
- One document combining the right to live and the right to work in Bulgaria, issued by the Migration Directorate after arrival. It replaces the type D visa as the worker's standing permission and is Bulgaria's implementation of EU Directive 2011/98.
- Third-country national
- Anyone who is not a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland. Workers from the Philippines, Nepal and Thailand fall in this category, which is why the permit process applies to them.
Official sources
The rules Personela works under are public. These are the primary sources for the obligations described on this page.
- Employment Agency of Bulgaria — the authority that decides labour-market access for third-country nationals.
- Migration Directorate, Bulgarian Ministry of Interior — issues the single residence-and-work permit.
- Directive 2011/98/EU (EU Single Permit Directive) — the EU framework Bulgaria implements.
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) — governs how candidate and client data is handled.
- Commission for Personal Data Protection (CPDP) — the Bulgarian supervisory authority.
This page summarises legal requirements for orientation. It is not legal advice. See our ten-stage process for how each filing fits the timeline.
Compliance Questions?
Our legal team is available for compliance briefings, due diligence calls, and audit support.