Bulgaria had issued more than 13,000 seasonal work permits to non-EU nationals by July 10, as businesses increasingly rely on foreign workers to fill staffing gaps, Nova TV reports.
The National Employment Agency’s figures, analyzed by the Bulgarian Industrial Association, show that Bulgaria issued just over 49,000 work permits in 2025, including 19,000 for seasonal jobs lasting up to 90 days.
More than 13,000 permits for seasonal employment had been issued since the start of 2026 by July 10.
The workers come from 55 countries, mainly in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Almost half are citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, followed by nationals of Türkiye, Bangladesh, Nepal and Moldova.
According to the Institute for Market Economics, staff shortages and the abrupt departures of chefs, waiters and receptionists are pushing businesses to recruit increasing numbers of young workers from Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Uzbekistan.