Complete Bulgaria Truck Driver Guide for Foreign Drivers

Bulgaria has a persistent labour shortage, and one of the more practical single-permit systems in the region; transport and logistics are among the sectors that recruit non-EU workers. For a qualified driver, it is a realistic and reasonably straightforward route into the EU.

Please treat this as general guidance and confirm the current details with the official authorities, as rules vary by nationality and employer.

Who Needs Work Authorisation

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work without any permit. Everyone else generally needs a single residence and work permit, which combines the right to reside and to work in one document. Two bodies are involved: the Employment Agency (Agencia po zaetostta) gives the labour-market opinion, and the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior issues the permit.

The Labour-Market Opinion and the Ratio Rule

For a standard single permit, the employer advertises the vacancy and the Employment Agency reviews the labour market over a short posting period before giving its opinion. Bulgaria also applies a ratio rule limiting foreign workers as a share of the employer’s workforce, though there is flexibility for employers making their first hires. Higher-skilled EU Blue Card roles are exempt from the labour-market test but are less relevant to most driving jobs.

Step by Step and Timelines

The employer files the application, the Employment Agency and security services give their opinions in parallel, and the Migration Directorate issues the single permit. You then apply for a Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy, enter Bulgaria, and within a short window present your passport and visa to the Migration Directorate for your residence card. The whole process commonly runs a couple of months, and the permit can be issued for up to three years, never longer than the contract.

Your Driving Licence and Code 95

An EU/EEA licence is recognised. A non-EU licence must be exchanged for a Bulgarian EU-standard licence after you take up residence, sometimes with a test. For professional driving, you need Category C or C+E and Code 95 (Driver CPC). A non-EU Code 95 may need to be completed in the EU, and you will also need the digital tachograph driver card and a medical certificate. More on Code 95 here.

Pay, Tax and Social Security

Bulgarian driver pay consists of a base salary plus per diem allowances for international routes. Bulgaria has a low flat income tax, and lawfully employed drivers pay social-security and health-insurance contributions, giving access to the public health system. Get the pay structure in writing before you sign. More on health insurance here.

Changing Employers, Family and Long-Term Stay

The single permit is tied to a specific employer, so a change means a new application. Family reunification is possible once you hold a permit, and continuous lawful residence — commonly five years — can lead to permanent residence. Documents from abroad need a certified translation and legalisation.

How FastDriver.eu Helps

Create a free driver profile so Bulgarian employers can find you and browse live roles on the vacancies page. We help you check that the role and employer meet the single-permit conditions before you commit. This is general information, not legal advice; final decisions rest with the Bulgarian authorities.

Official Government References

Always verify procedures, documents and timelines with the competent authorities, as requirements vary by nationality, employer and situation: the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior for the single permit and residence (https://www.mvr.bg/en); the Employment Agency (Agencia po zaetostta) for the labour-market opinion (https://www.az.government.bg/en/); the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (https://www.mlsp.government.bg/en); and Bulgarian diplomatic missions for the Type D visa. All final decisions rest with the relevant authorities.