{"id":20658,"date":"2025-08-15T06:39:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kgk.bg\/?p=20658"},"modified":"2025-08-18T05:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T05:50:07","slug":"izmeneniya-v-rezhima-na-sinya-karta-na-es-v-bulgaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kgk.bg\/en\/blog\/izmeneniya-v-rezhima-na-sinya-karta-na-es-v-bulgaria\/","title":{"rendered":"A new era for highly qualified professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Significant changes to the EU Blue Card regime in Bulgaria (2025)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bulgarian legislation concerning the residence and employment of foreigners has undergone significant updates with the publication of amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria ActState Gazette No. 52 of 2025<\/a>). These changes are directly related to the transposition of \u0414\u0438\u0440\u0435\u043a\u0442\u0438\u0432\u0430 (\u0415\u0421) 2021\/1883<\/a>, Directive (EU) 2021\/1883, which aims to facilitate the attraction and retention of highly qualified professionals from third countries in the European Union. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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General conditions for acquisition and period of validity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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According to Article 33k of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, a long-term residence and work permit of the \"EU Blue Card\"<\/em><\/strong> type may be obtained by foreigners who meet the conditions for highly qualified employment under Bulgarian law.An important innovation is the card can now be issued to persons who hold a visa under Article 15(1) or another long-term residence permit in Bulgaria, which is subsequently replaced bythe Blue Card<\/a>\u201c<\/em><\/strong>The permit is issued for a period of up to 5 years, but not less than 24 months. If the employment contract is for a shorter period, the permit is issued for the term of the contract, extended by three months, but for a maximum of 24 months. There is also a possibility for renewal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Simplified application process and joint responsibility<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The application process has been simplified. Applications can be submitted on paper or electronically by the employer, an authorized representative, or the foreign national themselves, and can now be submitted to the Migration Directorate regardless of the foreign national's address of residence.<\/p>

A key change introducing joint responsibility relates to reporting after entering the country. Within 14 days of the foreigner's entry with a visa under Article 15, paragraph 1, the employer or a person authorized by him is required to appear together<\/u><\/strong> with the foreigner at the Migration Directorate. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the termination of the permit issuance procedure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Documentation and processing times<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Standard documents such as a copy of your passport and a criminal record certificate (for first-time applicants) must be submitted with your application for an EU Blue Card. A new requirement is compulsory medical insurance, valid for at least three months<\/em><\/strong>or until the card is issued. An important addition is the new requirement for a certificate from the National Center for Information and Documentation (NACID) for the recognition of higher education obtained abroad.<\/p>

The Migration Directorate checks the documents and, if necessary, notifies the applicant of any missing information, giving a 10-day deadline to rectify the irregularities. Applications are sent for review to the Employment Agency and the State Agency for National Security (DANS). The total time for reviewing the application cannot exceed 3 months.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Flexibility for Blue Card holders and mobility within the EU<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Significant relief is provided when changing employers or positions:<\/p>