Bulgaria (Important Updates for Foreign Workers) 2026. As Bulgaria becomes fully integrated into the Schengen Area, travel within the EU has become easier, supporting long-term residents, workers, and businesses. Increased...
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Bulgaria
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.
Key Country Information
- Capital City: Sofia
- Head of State (President): Rumen Radev
- Head of Government (Prime Minister): Prime Minister of Bulgaria
- Official Language: Bulgarian
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- International Dialing Code: +359
Population and Economy
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.
European Union and Schengen Status
- EU Member State since: 2007
- Euro Area Member since: 2026
- Schengen Area Member since: 2024 (full integration including land borders completed by 2026)
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.
Living and Working in Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers growing opportunities for foreign nationals due to:
- Increasing demand for skilled and unskilled workers
- Expanding IT, manufacturing, and services sectors
- Lower cost of living compared to Western Europe
- EU labor laws and worker protections
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.
Summary
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.
