Informative Materials – Bulgaria

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1 Informative Materials – Bulgaria
1.1 Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Bulgaria
1.2 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2.1 Pathway to senior caregiver
1.2.2 National Agency for Vocational Education and Training
1.3 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Bulgaria
1.3.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.3.2 General about recognition for purpose of continuing education
1.4 Employment conditions in Bulgaria; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.4.1 Language requirements
1.5 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Bulgaria (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.6 Information on earning
1.7 Job offers
1.8 Some statistic data
1.9 Link to relevant websites in country
1.10 Useful materials
1.11 References

Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Bulgaria

The education system in Bulgaria is managed by the Ministry of Education. The educational system encompasses school education that consists of 12 grades, organized in two levels-basic and secondary, and higher education. Basic education is subdivided into two stages: primary/elementary and lower secondary/junior high school. Secondary education is imparted by different types of secondary schools: comprehensive/general, vocational and specialized secondary education.

More detailed information can be found here .

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Pathway to senior caregiver

Considering the BQF (Bulgarian Qualified Framework), we found the Caregiver profession (level 4). This national qualification framework relates their qualification levels to the levels set out in the European Qualifications Framework.

The National Agency for Vocational Education and Training – NAVET is a specialised body of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria established with the Vocational Education and Training Act in 2000. NAVET is a key partner in the successfully functioning mechanism of stakeholders’ activities coordination and concordance on a national level aiming at developing a system for VET that meets the labour market dynamic requirements and needs and at providing Bulgarian citizens with flexible opportunities for lifelong development of their employability.

For more Information about education/training centres, caregiver profession, vocational Education and Training and State Educational Standards please see:

National Agency for Vocational Education and Training

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Bulgaria

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

The recognition of education or skills acquired through non-formal and informal learning uses the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) whose purpose is to make qualifications more readable and understandable across different countries and systems. In close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Centre for the development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) also provides analytical and coordination support for implementing the EQF.

The European Commission Information about recognition of Professional Qualifications – Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs delivers the following information:

User guide, Directive 2005/36/EC – All you need to know about recognition of professional qualifications, Publications Office, 2020, available  here (It permits the download in all languages)

For CEDEFOP (Vocational education and training in Bulgaria) and Bulgarian system for Validation of Non-formal and Informal vocational competences development see here.

General about recognition for purpose of continuing education

The recognition of academic degree or professional education can be achieved through:

Employment conditions in Bulgaria; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens, see Living and working conditions: Bulgaria (europa.eu) (EURES, 2023)

To recognising professional qualifications, a distinction is made between regulated and non-regulated professions. To pursue a regulated profession, certain requirements must be met. In Bulgaria, the provisions laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC apply. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications enabling the pursuit of a regulated profession is within the remit of competence of the body responsible for the respective regulated profession.

Language requirements

Language requirements: the official language for most job requirements is Bulgarian. The professional can apply for a Bulgarian language course.

Language exams requisites can be found here

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Bulgaria (as low-skilled foreigners)

Not know.

Information on earning

According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI, 2023), the average caregiver gross salary in Bulgaria is 14 942 лв. or an equivalent hourly rate of 7 лв.. In addition, they earn an average bonus of 190 лв.. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Bulgaria. An entry-level caregiver (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 11 796 лв.. On the other end, a senior-level caregiver (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 17 973 лв (2023).

Information available here

Job offers

Once in Bulgaria, citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Sweden) and the Swiss Confederation may register and take up employment via the job centres (directorates) at the National Employment Agency: Working

Employement Institute

Some statistic data

In 2016, the number of LTC workers providing informal care was 1 per 100 individuals aged 65 and over, 87.7 % of whom were women. The share of the population providing informal care was 6.1 %, among which the share of informal carers providing more than 20 hours of care per week was 36.6 %.

The population will continue to grow older due to low birth rates, emigration of younger generations and increased life expectancy. While the prevalence of informal care has grown over the 21st century, the decreasing number of younger and healthier family members may reduce the availability of informal carers. Deinstitutionalisation may nevertheless put additional pressure on family and informal carers and worsen their work-life balance.

Bulgaria has no established information system collecting data on formal carers providing long-term care.

See more in Bulgaria – Eurocarers 

Number of carers and existing support measures across the EU

Link to statistics: REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA – National statistical institute

Link to relevant websites in country

Useful materials

Living and working in Bulgaria – More information

References