Managing employee leave in Bulgaria requires a clear understanding of the country's labor code, which outlines various entitlements for employees. These provisions ensure that workers receive adequate time off for rest, public holidays, illness, and significant life events, contributing to a balanced work environment and compliance with national regulations. Employers operating in Bulgaria, whether directly or through an Employer of Record, must adhere strictly to these legal requirements to ensure fair treatment of their workforce and avoid potential legal issues.
Navigating the specifics of vacation accrual, public holiday schedules, sick pay calculations, and parental leave options is essential for effective workforce management. This guide provides an overview of the key leave types and entitlements applicable in Bulgaria, offering clarity for employers and HR professionals.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum statutory entitlement is 20 working days per calendar year. This leave generally accrues based on the length of service.
- Minimum Entitlement: 20 working days per calendar year.
- Accrual: Employees typically accrue leave based on their service period. Full entitlement is usually available after 8 months of service with the same employer, although pro-rata leave may be available earlier.
- Usage: Leave is typically taken with the employer's consent. The employer has the right to determine the time of leave, considering the employee's request and production needs.
- Carry Over: Unused paid annual leave can generally be carried over to the following calendar year. However, there are regulations regarding the timeframe within which carried-over leave must be used.
- Payment in Lieu: Payment in lieu of unused annual leave is generally only permitted upon termination of the employment relationship.
Public Holidays
Bulgaria observes several public holidays throughout the year. On these days, employees are typically entitled to a paid day off. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are usually entitled to increased remuneration, often double their standard pay rate.
Here are the main public holidays observed in Bulgaria in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| March 3 | Liberation Day |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday (Orthodox) |
| April 21 | Easter Monday (Orthodox) |
| May 1 | International Labor Day |
| May 6 | St. George's Day |
| May 24 | Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavonic Literature Day |
| September 6 | Unification Day |
| September 22 | Independence Day |
| November 1 | National Awakening Day |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Second Day of Christmas |
Note: Some holidays falling on a weekend may result in the following Monday being observed as a day off.
Sick Leave
Employees in Bulgaria are entitled to paid sick leave when they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Entitlement: Sick leave is granted based on a medical certificate issued by a doctor.
- Payment:
- For the first 3 days of sick leave, the employer pays 70% of the employee's average daily gross remuneration for the last 18 months.
- From the 4th day onwards, the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) pays 80% (or 90% in certain cases, e.g., work-related injury) of the employee's average daily insured income for the last 18 months.
- Duration: The duration of paid sick leave can extend for a significant period, subject to medical certification and NSSI regulations.
Parental Leave
Bulgarian law provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave:
- Entitlement: 410 days for the first, second, and third child, starting 45 days before the expected date of birth.
- Payment: Paid by the NSSI at 90% of the average daily insured income for the last 24 months.
- Paternity Leave:
- Entitlement: 15 calendar days upon the birth of a child, to be taken within the period of the mother's maternity leave.
- Payment: Paid by the NSSI at 90% of the average daily insured income for the last 24 months.
- Additional Paternity Leave: After the child reaches 6 months of age, the father can take over the remainder of the mother's maternity leave entitlement (up to 410 days total).
- Adoption Leave:
- Entitlement: Similar to maternity leave, granted for 410 days from the date of adoption for children up to 5 years old.
- Payment: Paid by the NSSI at 90% of the average daily insured income.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Bulgarian law also provides for other specific types of leave:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave in case of the death of a close relative. The duration is typically 2 working days.
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing education may be entitled to paid or unpaid leave for exams, thesis defense, etc., depending on the type of study and agreement with the employer.
- Leave for Marriage: Employees are entitled to 2 working days of paid leave for their marriage.
- Leave for Blood Donation: Employees are entitled to paid leave for the day of blood donation, plus one day off after.
- Unpaid Leave: Employees can request unpaid leave, which is subject to employer approval. There are also provisions for mandatory unpaid leave in specific circumstances outlined in the Labor Code.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not a statutory entitlement for all employees, longer periods of leave (similar to sabbatical) may be agreed upon between the employer and employee, often as unpaid leave or under specific company policies.
