Updated August 7th 2026
All About Employee Leave & PTO in Bulgaria
Learn what you need to know about leave requirements in Bulgaria and how Justworks EOR can help streamline hiring.
How an EOR Can Help with Employee Leave & PTO
Bulgaria has well-defined statutory leave entitlements governed by the Labor Code(opens in a new tab) and the Social Security Code(opens in a new tab). Employers are responsible for tracking leave accurately and ensuring employees receive the time off they’re entitled to. Justworks helps support compliant leave administration without the need to manage local processes on your own.
Employee Leave & PTO Expectations in Bulgaria
Bulgarian employees are entitled to multiple types of paid and unpaid leave. These entitlements apply to employees working under an employment contract and cannot generally be waived.
Vacation Leave
Employees are entitled to at least 20 working days of paid annual leave per calendar year. Annual leave typically accrues during the year and should be taken within the statutory time limits. Employers can’t offer compensation in lieu of statutory annual leave except upon termination.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to paid sick leave if they provide certification from a medical authority. During sick leave, the employer pays the first days of sick leave at a percentage of salary, while Bulgaria’s public social security system offers compensation for the remaining time off. Sick leave duration and payment are subject to statutory caps and eligibility requirements.
Maternity Leave
Employees are entitled to 410 calendar days of maternity leave, starting before childbirth. A portion of this leave is paid through the social security system at a percentage of the employee’s salary per statutory rules.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to paid paternity leave following the birth of a child. The length and payment of this leave are regulated by law and funded through social security.
Parental Leave
Parents may take additional parental leave after maternity leave ends, which is subject to eligibility requirements. Parental leave may be paid or unpaid, depending on the type of leave and the employee’s circumstances.
Additional Leave Types
Bulgarian labor law also provides for other types of leave, including for marriage, bereavement, civic duties, or education or training. Eligibility and duration depend on statutory rules and employment terms.
Public Holidays in Bulgaria
Bulgaria observes 14 paid public holidays each year, during which employees are entitled to receive leave. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, additional compensation or compensatory rest may apply per the Labor Code. Public holidays that fall on a weekend may be observed on the next working day, depending on government designation for the year.
The statutory public holidays in Bulgaria are:
January 1 – New Year’s Day
March 3 – Liberation Day
May 1 – Labor Day
May 6 – St. George’s Day
May 24 – Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture
September 6 – Unification Day
September 22 – Independence Day
November 1 – Day of the Bulgarian Enlighteners (observed by educational institutions)
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Second Day of Christmas
Good Friday – Date varies
Holy Saturday – Date varies
Easter Sunday and Monday – Dates vary
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