Labor Shortages in Bulgaria as Nearly 40% of non-EU Nationals Leave the Country

Nearly 40% of non-EU nationals who obtained work permits in Bulgaria have moved on to other European Union nations, according to data from the Ministry of Interior. This ongoing issue has prompted Bulgarian authorities to explore new regulations for employing third-country workers.

The problem came into the spotlight after seasonal workers began disappearing from Sunny Beach. Most of these foreign workers were initially issued Bulgarian work visas and eventually made their way to other parts of Europe. While the visa allows free travel within the EU, the work permit remains valid only in Bulgaria.

Maria Mincheva, Deputy President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that this situation poses challenges not only for workers and employers but also for the EU member states involved.

Employment Agency (EA) data showed that between January 1 and November 17, 2023, Bulgaria issued over 12,000 work permits to non-EU nationals. In the first 11 months of the previous year, the number of such permits stood at 1,556. The largest groups of recipients were from Turkey (1,309), Kyrgyz Republic (75), and Russia (43).

From January 1 to November 23 last year, 6,837 individuals from outside the EU registered for seasonal jobs in Bulgaria, primarily in the hospitality, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors. Key locations included Sunny Beach, Albena, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Bansko, and Razlog. The workers predominantly hailed from the Kyrgyz Republic (2,033), Turkey (1,364), and Moldova (1,058).

Statistics from the Migration Directorate indicate that 2,134 third-country nationals received permanent residence and work rights in Bulgaria through the EU Blue Card in the first 11 months of last year. From January to November, 879 individuals were granted permanent residence and work authorization.

To address labor shortages in various industries, Bulgaria has established bilateral agreements with countries such as Israel and Moldova. However, the challenges of retaining these workers within the country continue to persist.

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