Holiday leave
In Bulgaria, the Labour Code stipulates that employees who have completed at least 8 months of service with the same employer are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave.
Extended Leave
Employees with disabilities (those with a partially impaired working capacity of at least 50%) or minors are entitled to extended annual leave of 26 working days. Additional days are also granted to employees working under specific hazardous conditions, with the number of days depending on the nature of the work.
Scheduling
The scheduling of vacation periods should be mutually agreed upon by the employer and employee, taking into account the operational needs of the company and the preferences of the employee. During their vacation, employees are entitled to their regular salary.
Unused Leave Carryover
The Bulgarian labor law permits the carryover of unused vacation days for up to two years from the end of the year in which they were accrued.
Selling Vacation Days
The law does not allow employees to "sell" their unused vacation days for extra pay.
Unjustified Absences
The Bulgarian Labour Code states that excessive unjustified absences can result in a reduction in vacation entitlement.
Public holidays
Bulgaria, a country rich in history and culture, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays are a mix of religious, historical, and national events that reflect the country's unique heritage and traditions.
New Year's Day
Celebrated on January 1st, New Year's Day marks the beginning of the new calendar year.
Liberation Day
On March 3rd, Bulgarians commemorate the country's liberation from Ottoman rule.
Labor Day
May 1st is recognized as Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day.
St. George's Day/Bulgarian Armed Forces Day
St. George's Day, which doubles as Bulgarian Armed Forces Day, is celebrated on May 6th.
Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day
May 24th is dedicated to Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day.
Unification Day
Unification Day is observed on September 6th, marking the unification of Bulgaria.
Independence Day
Independence Day, celebrated on September 22nd, commemorates Bulgaria's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Day of the National Revival Leaders
November 1st is the Day of the National Revival Leaders, a day to honor the leaders of the Bulgarian National Revival.
Christmas Eve and Christmas
Christmas Eve and Christmas are celebrated on December 24th, 25th, and 26th respectively.
Orthodox Easter Holidays
The Orthodox Easter Holidays, which include Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday, follow the Orthodox Christian calendar, and as such, their dates fluctuate each year.
Types of leave
Every employee is entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave after completing 8 months of service. Employees in certain professions or working under specific conditions may be entitled to extended annual leave. For example, teachers and university professors are entitled to longer periods of paid annual leave.
Temporary Disability Leave
Employees are entitled to temporary disability leave due to illness, injury, medical examination, quarantine, or caring for a sick family member. Employees receive compensation during temporary disability leave, usually a percentage of their regular salary.
Maternity and Childcare Leave
Female employees are entitled to 410 days of maternity leave, including 45 days before the expected birth date. Both parents have the right to take childcare leave until the child turns two years old. This leave is usually unpaid. Parents of children between the ages of 2 and 8 can take paid childcare leave under certain conditions.
Educational Leave
Employees may be entitled to paid or unpaid educational leave, depending on the circumstances and their employer's policies. Educational leave could be for taking entrance examinations for educational institutions or pursuing further education or training.
Other Types of Leave
Employees are entitled to 2 days of paid leave for special events such as marriage, the death of a close relative, blood donation, etc. Employees may request unpaid leave from their employer. The employer has discretion over whether to grant such leave. Employees are entitled to leave to fulfill civic duties such as court appearances or military service.