Employer of Record Bulgaria
Employer of Record Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s complex labor regulations often present challenges for businesses. Agility provides a streamlined solution for hiring local talent.
Currency
Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
Population
6.75 Million
Capital City
Sofia
Minimum Wage
BGN 933 per month
Local Language
Bulgarian
Working Hours
40 hours per week
Employer of record in Bulgaria
- Manages all employment aspects
- Acts as a legal employer
- Simplifies hiring
- Compliantly employing a worker
How does an Employer of Record Bulgaria work?
Agility
We handle the legal aspects of hiring workers, including managing HR, benefits, payroll, and taxes.
Company
Focuses on core business activities. Manages assigned employee’s tasks and performance.
Employee
Performs the assigned work, just like any other employee.
Payment Frequency
Most companies pay monthly, but in Bulgaria it is legal to pay daily and weekly.
Employee Tax – 23.78%
Social security: 13.78%
Income tax: 10% flat rate
Employer Tax – 18.92% to 19.62%
Social insurance: 18.92% – 19.62%, including pension contribution
Health insurance: 4.8%
Probation Period
Agreed between the employer and employee, cannot be more than 6 months.
Employment Law
Contractual Obligations: Terms of employment
Data Privacy: Protection of personal information
Union Affiliation: Rights related to union membership
Harassment Prevention: Protection from workplace harassment
Anti-Discrimination: Protection from discrimination based on protected characteristics
Job Security: Protection of employment during employer changes
Termination Protection: Safeguards against unfair dismissal
Fair Treatment: Equal treatment in the workplace
Health Assessments: Medical examinations as required by law or company policy
Employee Termination
Four methods for ending employment include mutual agreement, notice period fulfilment with a specific reason, immediate termination, and contract expiration.
Certain employees in Bulgaria are protected from termination with notice if they have paid social insurance contributions to the Unemployment Fund for at least 12 months in the last 18 months.
There is no statutory severance pay in Bulgaria, except in special circumstances.
Employee Benefits
Statutory Benefits
Medical Examination: Many employees are required to undergo preliminary medical examinations upon hire and subsequently at regular intervals, often determined by age.
Occupational Health and Safety Training: Employers are obligated to provide on-the-job health and safety training to all employees during working hours and at company expense.
Common Additional Benefits
Retirement Savings: Additional pension contributions
Time Off: Extra days off
Commuting: Transportation assistance
Life Insurance: Life insurance coverage
Healthcare: Supplementary health insurance
Financial Incentives: Cash bonuses
Work-Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements
Wellness: Multisport card benefits
Statutory Leave
FAQ
Think of it like this: Agility EOR becomes the legal employer of your employees, taking care of all the paperwork and compliance headaches.
Agility EOR
- We manage the onboarding process and ensure everything’s in order before your employee starts
- We make sure your employees are treated fairly and compliantly in their relevant territory
- We take care of all HR matters, and can answer any and all HR queries you may have e.g. maternity/paternity leave, holidays, sick pay, and more
- We provide compliant contracts, process local payroll, and file taxes
- We issue payslips and handle payments to the employee and authorities
Your Company
- You find and manage your employees’ daily tasks
- You support their development through their work
- You follow our guidance on employment laws and best practices
- You ensure payroll bills are paid to Agility EOR on time
Benefits of using an Employer of Record (EOR)
- Faster and easier hiring: No need to set up your own legal entity.
- Reduced risk and compliance burden: We handle the legal and administrative complexities.
- More time and resources: Focus on your core business while we manage your employees.
There are various ways to employ people in Bulgaria, each with differing levels of costs and compliance:
Employee is employed by you and paid by you from your overseas Company
- Pros: This option seems to be the most cost-effective and practical.
- Cons: However, it does not include the necessary social security payments, and the employee will have to abide by Bulgarian labour regulations.
Entity Set-up
- Pros: This choice could be the most budget-friendly option for hiring many staff, usually more than 15.
- Cons: Setting up a legal business entity and adhering to Bulgaria’s employment and tax laws can be a major expense and time-consuming task, particularly for smaller ventures. This method often proves unfeasible for companies with fewer than 15 employees.
Using an Employer of Record
- Pros: Employing an Employer of Record service in Bulgaria is the top choice for efficiently handling payroll, HR, and compliance duties, especially for forming employer-employee connections with teams of less than 15 members.
- Cons: It can be expensive when hiring a significant amount of employees. Selecting the right Employer of Record provider may pose a challenge.
Hire a contractor in Brazil
- Pros: This option is budget-friendly if the employee is not tied exclusively to your business and can easily arrange for a replacement on days off.
- Cons: Hiring a full-time employee who is solely committed to your company without the correct employment status is considered illegal in Bulgaria. Consequences for this misclassification can vary from fines to facing criminal charges.
Absolutely, if the worker is free to work for multiple companies, has autonomy in their work, and can send a replacement when needed, they should be considered an independent contractor.
In Bulgaria, it’s crucial to correctly classify workers to avoid legal consequences such as fines, unpaid benefits, and potential lawsuits for violating employment laws.
Setting up your business in Bulgaria starts with registering it with the Commercial Register and getting a trade license from the appropriate authorities. Although the registration process may seem straightforward, setting up a physical office for tax purposes, opening a Bulgarian bank account (usually requiring a personal visit), using payroll software that complies with Bulgarian laws, and meeting tax filing requirements can make the setup more complex.
Hiring people in Bulgaria means adhering to specific legal obligations is crucial for HR compliance. It ensures that your company follows all employment and work practice regulations diligently.
But why is it so vital? HR compliance in Bulgaria is more than just ticking boxes; it protects both your employees and your business. By adhering to employment regulations, you guarantee fair treatment for your workforce, covering areas such as sick leave, annual leave, minimum wage, and suitable working hours.
This not only promotes a healthy work atmosphere but also reduces the chances of facing financial penalties, legal consequences, and potential lawsuits due to non-compliance.
By teaming up with Agility EOR as your Employer of Record in Bulgaria, you can streamline your tax and social security responsibilities. We take care of all the necessary paperwork and payments for your employees, guaranteeing full adherence to regulations. This way, you can concentrate on growing your business without any worries.
While Agility EOR takes care of the intricacies of Bulgarian employment regulations, your company is still in charge of overseeing your team’s daily operations and maintaining open communication to foster a positive work environment.
Agility EOR handles the legal side of things in Bulgaria, so you can focus on managing your team and their daily tasks.
Bulgarian employers and employees are both subject to taxation. Employers must contribute to the national social security institute, which includes funding for the mandatory state pension fund and national health insurance fund.
Workers employed by a Bulgarian Employer of Record are entitled to legal safeguards and are provided with a regular employment agreement. This encompasses mandatory perks such as maternity leave, vacation time, and sick pay, as well as relevant tax breaks. It’s crucial to highlight that the public healthcare system in Bulgaria offers coverage to all citizens, not just to workers.
Agility EOR takes care of your HR compliance headache:
- Agility EOR, work closely with top Bulgaria employment lawyers and advisors to guarantee that your employment contracts and other important documents fully comply with local legal requirements.
- With our in-depth knowledge of Bulgaria employment law, including payroll, social security, data privacy, notice periods, and remote work regulations, we ensure that every aspect is thoroughly understood.
- In the event of any issues, our internal team is always ready to provide swift assistance and support.
Wondering if expanding in Bulgaria is right for you?
Read on or speak to a member of our team now
Bulgaria Employer of Record Benefits
When you choose Agility EOR to expand in Bulgaria, we guarantee an EOR Service tailored to the needs of your business
Compliance
We are on top of regulatory changes in Bulgaria so you can relax.
Cost reduction
Allow our economies of scale to work in your favour.
High Service Levels
You and your employees have a dedicated account manager.
Fixed Cost Pricing
We will agree our professional fees up front based on your needs – no nasty surprises!
Consolidated Invoicing & Payments
Make one monthly payment to cover all your tax, social and wages costs from one to one thousand employees.
Fast delivery
You can have 'boots on the ground' within days on our infrastructure.
Reduced Risk
All wage taxes are remitted in full to the Bulgarian authorities by professionals ensuring liabilities are met, giving you peace of mind.
Supply Chain Transparency
We only pay employees through local full employed solutions meaning Bulgarian payroll tax is paid on all funds.
Save Time and Money
Our expertise is at your disposal. The need for you to have internal HR, Payroll and admin staff is eliminated.
Download our full Bulgaria Employment Guide
Find out all about employing in Bulgaria
Get in touch
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