Staff Relocation to Bulgaria
Relocating a highly qualified professional is far more than paperwork. Horizons Bulgaria provides end-to-end relocation support — from work permits and recruitment to housing, official address registration, social benefits, and the everyday essentials that make Bulgaria feel like home.
A complete relocation journey — not just the paperwork
We handle every stage of the relocation process — from the first immigration consultation to the moment your new employee feels settled, productive, and at home in Bulgaria.
Work permit & visa management
Full consultation on work visa and residence permit requirements. We manage documentation collection, preparation, and submission — including EU Blue Card applications, Type D visas, and long-term residence permits. No missed deadlines, no missing documents.
Housing & official address registration
We assist in finding suitable accommodation — from short-term rental options upon arrival to long-term housing solutions. Critically, we manage the official address registration (постоянен и настоящ адрес) with the local municipal authorities — a legal requirement for all residents in Bulgaria and the foundation for accessing public services.
Social benefits & insurance
We ensure relocated employees receive all legally mandated social benefits from day one — health insurance registration with the National Health Insurance Fund (НЗОК), social security enrollment, and access to the full Bulgarian social protection system. For highly qualified professionals, we can also advise on supplementary health and life insurance packages.
Cultural orientation & adaptation
A successful relocation goes beyond logistics. We provide structured cultural orientation for the employee and their family — helping them understand Bulgarian workplace culture, daily life, public services, schooling options for children, and community integration. A well-adapted employee is a productive and retained one.
Quality of life support
For senior and highly qualified professionals, we go further — assisting with bank account opening, international school enrollment, driving license conversion, access to private healthcare, leisure and lifestyle orientation, and connecting them with expat communities in Sofia and other major cities. Bulgaria offers an excellent quality of life; we make sure your hire experiences it from day one.
Employer of Record (EOR)
For companies without a registered entity in Bulgaria, our EOR service allows you to legally employ your relocated professional through Horizons Bulgaria — handling employment contracts, payroll, tax filings, and full labor law compliance while you maintain operational control.
How a relocation with Horizons Bulgaria works
Initial consultation — we assess the employee’s profile, nationality, qualifications, and the role requirements to determine the correct immigration pathway and timeline.
Immigration process — work permit application with the Employment Agency, Visa D coordination with the Bulgarian consulate, and residence permit submission to the Migration Directorate.
Pre-arrival preparation — housing search, accommodation booking, transportation coordination, and briefing on what to expect upon arrival in Bulgaria.
Official registration — municipal address registration, personal identification number (ЛНЧ) for foreigners, and enrollment in the national health and social security systems.
Employment setup — employment contract signing, payroll registration, bank account opening, and issuance of all statutory employment documentation.
Orientation and adaptation — cultural briefing, practical life orientation, family integration support including schooling, healthcare access, and community connections.
Ongoing HR support — continued compliance management, permit renewal tracking, payroll administration, and employee support throughout the duration of employment.
Tax, legal, and compliance support
Tax consultation for foreign employees
Bulgaria offers one of the lowest flat income tax rates in the EU — 10%. We advise relocated employees on their tax residency status, applicable tax treaties, deductions, and obligations to ensure full compliance with Bulgarian and international tax law from the first payslip.
Labor law and compliance
We ensure every aspect of the employment relationship complies with the Bulgarian Labour Code and EU directives — from probation periods and working hours to leave entitlements, notice periods, and severance obligations. Foreign employers gain full legal certainty without needing in-house Bulgarian legal expertise.
A destination worth relocating to
Flat income tax
One of the lowest personal income tax rates in the EU — highly attractive for senior professionals relocating from Western Europe.
Full EU rights
EU member state — freedom of movement, European social protection standards, and full access to EU public services.
Vibrant capital
International schools, private healthcare, active expat communities, affordable cost of living, and direct flights across Europe.
Quality of life
Mountains, seaside, culture, and cuisine — Bulgaria consistently surprises international professionals with its lifestyle offer.
We handle the move, you keep the focus
From work permit to first day at the office — Horizons Bulgaria manages every step of the relocation journey.