Introduction
As of June 1, 2025, Bulgaria will fully transition to a digital employment register, eliminating the long-standing requirement for paper labor books. Announced in August 2024, this change mandates that employers report employment-related data directly to the National Revenue Agency (NRA), significantly reshaping hiring practices, record-keeping, and compliance requirements.
Impact on Employers
The move to digital employment records will introduce expanded administrative obligations for employers. In addition to reporting new hires, position changes, and terminations, employers will now need to notify the NRA of:
- Salary adjustments
- Changes in working hours
- Accrued leave balances
- Garnishments and compensation payments
Furthermore, businesses operating in Bulgaria must finalize all paper employment records for their workforce within a one-year transition period, spanning from June 1, 2025, to June 1, 2026.
Another key change affects the hiring process. Employers will no longer collect paper labor books from job applicants. Instead, they will gain access to employment history only after officially registering a new employee’s contract in the digital system.
Impact on Employees
For employees, the digital employment register enhances both security and accessibility. Using a Personal Identification Code (PIC) or Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), individuals can:
- Access and verify their employment history online
- Ensure data accuracy for applications such as bank loans and school enrollments
- Monitor employment records for compliance and transparency
However, the employee is obliged to keep the employment record(s) issued before 01.05.2025, because it/they will retain its character as an official certifying document for the circumstances entered therein.
Eurofast’s Take
The shift towards digital employment records aligns with Bulgaria’s broader strategy for administrative modernization. While the transition introduces new compliance challenges for businesses, it also streamlines processes, reduces paperwork, and enhances employee data security.
Eurofast’s payroll and employment outsourcing (EOR) specialists can assist companies in navigating the new system, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and a seamless transition to digital employment records.
For further inquiries, contact:
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