Close to 36 000 foreigners were granted right to work in Bulgaria in 2024
Close to 36 000 foreign citizens from a total of 79 countries were granted the right to work in Bulgaria through various types of permit regimes in 2024, Atanaska Todorova of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria told Bulgarian National Radio on February 7.
This is 10 000 people more than in 2023, Todorova said.
She said that the largest number of permits were received by citizens of Türkiye, more than 8,000.
“Followed by citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan – nearly 8000, the Kyrgyz Republic – nearly 5000, Nepal – 4500, India – nearly 2000, Moldova – about 1300 work permits, Todorova said .
“It is striking that these persons have been granted access to the Bulgarian market with a single residence and work permit in the first place, then seasonal employment,” she said.
The total short-term employment registered last year for foreigners who come as seasonal workers for up to 90 days is 13 435 people – 1955 fewer than in 2023. The largest number of people employed under this system are citizens of Turkey – more than 4200 people.
Only 800 people have received access to the Bulgarian labour market through the so-called Blue Card for highly qualified personnel, she said.
(Photo: Pearlie Ng)
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