This summer the Parliament adopted important amendments to the labor-immigration legal framework. These changes affect both citizens of third countries and their Bulgarian employers.
The new provisions introduce a special regime for long-term residence for so-called “digital nomads.” For the existing labor-immigration procedures—EU Blue Card, Single Residence and Work Permit, and Intra-Corporate Transfer—the law introduces both procedural simplifications and new requirements, which are outlined below.
Key Changes:
- Long-Term Residence for Digital Nomads
The new procedure allows the issuance of a residence permit for foreign nationals who work remotely using information technology and meet one of the following conditions:i)they have a valid employment contract with a company outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland;ii) they own or manage more than 25% of such a company, without providing services to clients in Bulgaria; or ii) they have been providing remote services in a personal capacity for at least one year prior to submitting their application.
Applicants must also demonstrate an average annual income of at least 50 times the minimum monthly salary for the previous year. The permit is issued for one year and may be extended once. Secondary legislation regulating this type of residence is currently expected.
- Recognition of Diplomas by NACID
Applicants for an EU Blue Card or a Single Residence and Work Permit will now be required to submit a certificate from the National Center for Information and Documentation (NACID) confirming the recognition of their higher education degree.
Previously, this requirement did not exist, which may cause delays and complications for future applicants.
- Elimination of the Requirement for Private Health Insurance
Holders of a Single Residence and Work Permit will now be covered under the mandatory state health system, eliminating the need to purchase private health insurance.
Seasonal workers will also be subject to compulsory health insurance.
- Approval Required for Changing Employers
After the first year of highly skilled employment, EU Blue Card holders must obtain approval from the Migration Directorate if they wish to change their employer.
Previously, this procedure was only a notification requirement.
- New Eligible Categories for the EU Blue Card
The amendments expand the list of eligible applicants for the EU Blue Card to include managers and specialists in the field of information and communication technology (ICT).
If you have any questions regarding these changes or would like assistance in obtaining the relevant type of residence and work permit, our team is available to provide support.
