Labor Migration in Bulgaria: How Foreign Workers Are Reshaping the Labor Market

Over the past six years, Bulgaria has established itself as an attractive destination for third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who help fill labor shortages in key sectors. According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, more than 108,000 foreign workers from 65 different countries were employed in Bulgaria between 2019 and 2024. This growth highlights the deepening need for both skilled and unskilled labor, particularly in industries such as hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and transport.

Leading Countries of Origin

The majority of foreign workers come from the following countries:

• Uzbekistan (10,514 workers) – seasonal workers and employees in construction and manufacturing;

• Turkey (10,441 workers) – seconded specialists and technical staff, mainly in construction;

• Kyrgyzstan (7,138 workers) – seasonal workers and employees in manufacturing;

• Nepal (4,522 workers) – low-skilled workers in agriculture and tourism;

• India (3,155 workers) – workers in manufacturing and transport;

• Russia (3,118 workers) – engineering and technical specialists;

• Ukraine (1,923 workers) – seasonal workers and construction specialists.

Growth in Issued Work Permits

The data shows a steady increase in the number of residence and work permits issued. While 1,129 permits were issued in 2019, their number rose to 13,131 in 2024. A similar upward trend is observed in the issuance of EU Blue Cards, intended for highly qualified specialists—from 370 in 2019 to 1,101 in 2024.

Challenges Facing the Labor Market

A key challenge remains the relatively slow process for issuing EU Blue Cards in Bulgaria, which can still take several months. In contrast, in other European countries such as Poland, the process is completed within a few weeks. As a result, many highly qualified professionals choose alternative destinations.

Future Outlook

Labor market dynamics in Bulgaria clearly indicate that the country must continue to develop and optimize its policies for attracting foreign workers. Foreign labor will remain a key factor in Bulgaria’s economic development. The question is whether the country will be able to adapt and offer more flexible and efficient mechanisms for attracting and retaining this workforce.