Bulgaria

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 6 months;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it);
• present a criminal record certificate or criminal or police registration documents issued in accordance with the law of the country of citizenship, the country of origin or of usual residence;
• have available housing. 

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

For 2023, Bulgaria set the minimum monthly salary threshold at: 2609 BGN.

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

N/A.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Bulgaria does not apply a labour market test for the EU Blue Card.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Bulgaria is: 5 years but at least 24 months.

When the term of the employment contract is shorter than 24 months, the permit shall be issued for the duration of the contract, extended by three months, but for a maximum period of 24 months.
The permit as per sentence one may be renewed if there are grounds for its re-issuance.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: 110 BGN (55 EUR) for the Migration Directorate Services.

Renewal/Replacement: same.

Fee for express issuance: 45 EUR for 10 working days. 112 EUR for 3 working days.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Bulgaria is no more than three months.

InvestBulgaria Agency

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