Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country located in Southeastern Europe, on the eastern side of the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.
Bulgaria has a rich cultural history and a strategic location connecting Europe and Asia. The country covers an area of approximately 110,994 square kilometres and has a population of around 6.4 million people.
As of 2025–2026, Bulgaria’s population is estimated at approximately 6.4 million. The country has an open-market economy with key industries including manufacturing, information technology, agriculture, energy, tourism, and outsourcing services.
Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro has strengthened financial stability, improved investor confidence, and simplified cross-border payments for businesses and foreign workers.
As a full Schengen member and eurozone country, Bulgaria now applies unified EU border, visa, and monetary policies, further integrating it into the European economic and travel framework.
Bulgaria offers growing opportunities for foreign nationals due to:
EU/EEA citizens may live and work freely in Bulgaria. Non-EU citizens generally require a long-stay Visa D and a residence and work permit, depending on the type and duration of employment.
Bulgaria is a Southeastern European country fully integrated into the European Union, the eurozone, and the Schengen Area. With improved mobility, stable currency, and growing labor demand, Bulgaria continues to strengthen its position as an attractive destination for work, investment, and long-term residence in Europe.
Foreign nationals who want to work in Bulgaria must obtain a valid work permit and residence authorization. In most cases, Bulgaria issues a combined work and residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to legally live and work in the country. This guide explains the step-by-step process, requireme...
