Republic of Bulgaria · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Single Permit for Residence and Work
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 11 July 2026
If you are a non-EU national with a Bulgarian job offer, this is the main route - one document that lets you both live and work in Bulgaria.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the Migration Directorate works to published timelines that can be extended where a case is complex; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - state fees apply on both the work and residence sides and are re-set in euro from 2026; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Usually granted for one to three years and renewable while you keep the qualifying job - confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 10 July 2026, the Single Permit for Residence and Work for Republic of Bulgaria is a sponsor-led Bulgaria immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Bulgaria government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/bulgaria/single-permit#answer
What is the Single Permit for Residence and Work in Republic of Bulgaria?
Single Permit for Residence and Work is a sponsor-led Bulgaria route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - state fees apply on both the work and residence sides and are re-set in euro from 2026; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - the Migration Directorate works to published timelines that can be extended where a case is complex; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is Usually granted for one to three years and renewable while you keep the qualifying job - confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The single permit for residence and work combines your residence right and your work authorisation into one document, so you do not need a separate work permit. Your Bulgarian employer drives most of the process, normally after a labour-market check, and the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior decides the residence side. It is the standard sponsored-employment route for most non-EU workers, and lawful time on it counts toward long-term and then permanent residence. Bulgaria joined the Schengen area in 2025 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so confirm current amounts in euro on the official page.
Recent changes to this route
- Bulgaria adopts the euro and completes Schengen accession1 January 2026
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, having already joined the Schengen area in 2025, changing the travel and currency context for residents.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You have a genuine job offer from an employer registered in Bulgaria.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓The role meets any labour-market check the employer must satisfy before the permit is issued.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and meet the general conditions for long-term residence, including health insurance and accommodation.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓The employer files, or co-signs, the application to the Migration Directorate or a regional Migration office.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Common blockers
- !No genuine Bulgarian employer behind the application.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- !The role does not pass the labour-market check and no exemption applies.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- !Grounds for refusal of long-term residence under Bulgarian rules, such as a prior breach of stay conditions.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and recent photographs.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Employment contract or binding job offer from the Bulgarian employer.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Proof of accommodation, health insurance and sufficient means of support.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Proof of payment of the applicable state fees.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm you have a genuine Bulgarian job offer and that your employer can complete any labour-market check the role needs.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport, the employment contract, and proof of accommodation, health insurance and means of support.
Submit through the official channel
Have your employer file with the Migration Directorate or a regional Migration office, then collect the long-stay (type D) visa where required and pay the fees.
After approval
Collect your residence card, renew before it expires, and track your time toward long-term and then permanent residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Single Permit for Residence and Work route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Single Permit for Residence and Work.
Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) · verified
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Related routes
EU Blue Card (Bulgaria)
If you are a highly-qualified non-EU professional with a Bulgarian job offer above the salary threshold, the EU Blue Card gives you residence plus EU-wide mobility benefits.
Continuous (Long-Term) Residence Permit
If you have a long-stay (type D) visa and a qualifying ground to live in Bulgaria, this annually-renewable permit is the residence card you build your settlement on.
Permanent Residence (Bulgaria)
If you have lived in Bulgaria continuously for five years, this is your settlement status - secure residence and a stepping stone toward citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate work permit as well?+
No - the single permit combines your work authorisation and residence right in one document, so you do not apply for a separate work permit. Confirm the current process on the official Migration Directorate page.
Does time on this permit count toward settlement?+
Yes - lawful time on the single permit counts toward long-term residence and then permanent residence after the required continuous period. Confirm the current rule on the official page.
Can I move to Bulgaria on the single permit before I have a job offer?+
No - the single permit requires a genuine job offer from an employer registered in Bulgaria, and having no genuine Bulgarian employer behind the application is a common blocker. Because your employer files or co-signs the application, you need the offer first. Confirm the current process on the official Migration Directorate page.
Who submits the single permit application - me or my employer?+
Your Bulgarian employer drives most of the process and files, or co-signs, the application to the Migration Directorate or a regional Migration office, normally after a labour-market check. Confirm the current process on the official page.
Is there a labour-market test before my single permit is approved?+
Usually yes - the role must meet any labour-market check the employer has to satisfy before the permit is issued, and the role failing that check with no exemption applying is a common blocker. Confirm the current rules on the official page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in BulgariaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria)
Last checked: 1 June 2026