WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SO-CALLED “EU BLUE CARD”?
The “EU Blue Card” enables highly qualified third- country nationals, employed by a Bulgarian employer, to exercise highly qualified employment under an employment relationship in Bulgaria.
A set of new, easier rules for issuing an “EU Blue Card” for access to the labor market of third-country nationals are in force since the 25th of January 2023.
The new set of rules introduces a more flexible regime for accepting highly qualified third-country nationals in Bulgaria, providing opportunities for remote work, for long-term and short-term business trips, including in the territory of the EU.
CHANGES IN THE LABOR MIGRATION AND LABOR MOBILITY ACT
• With Issue № 8 from the 25th of January 2023 of the State Gazette, The Labor Migration and Labor Mobility Act was amended and supplemented, which resulted in indirect changes to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
• The introduced changes facilitate the terms and conditions for attracting highly qualified specialists in all sectors of our economy through the issuance of the so-called “EU Blue Card”.
WHAT DO THE CHANGES ENVISAGE ?
• The scope of people, considered to be engaged in a highly qualified employment, is being expanded. In addition to the current requirement for the presence of a university education, the possibility of recognizing a minimum of 5 years of experience and education, which is comparable to an acquired university education, is being introduced. The needed documents can now be submitted electronically.
• An opportunity for remote work from Bulgaria and abroad is presented for the first time.
• Holders of the “EU Blue Card”, issued by the Republic of Bulgaria, have the opportunity to enter and reside in another member state for a period of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days for the purpose of carrying out particular professional occupation.
• The mandatory period of employment in Bulgaria for the person who received an “EU Blue Card” is being reduced from 24 to 12 months. The specified limitation does not apply to the cases of secondment of workers and employees, holders of the “EU Blue Card”.
• The validity of the “Blue Card” is extended from 4 to 5 years, and a minimum period of no less than 24 months is also being established.
• The minimum term of the employment contract is reduced from 12 to 6 months.
“Murgova and Partners” Attorneys at Law has extensive experience with proceedings regarding the issuance of the “EU Blue Card”, as well as any needed additional assistance to employers and third-countries nationals. The law firm also has experts in the field of labor and migration law with successful practice in the procedures for issuing a permit for access to the labor market for foreign nationals.
You can contact us at www.murgova.com. or on tel. 0894 300 484