Registering with the Bulgarian Employment Agency (AZ)
Anyone aged 16 or over who is looking for work and falls into certain groups (Bulgarian citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, foreigners with long-term or permanent residence and others) can register with the Employment Agency (Агенция по заетостта). Registration brings both rights and obligations.
Working life · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08
This is not legal or financial advice
Who can register
According to the Agency's FAQ, the conditions are being 16 or older, looking for work and belonging to one of these groups:
- Bulgarian citizens;
- citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland;
- foreigners with long-term or permanent residence permits in Bulgaria, and their family members;
- people granted asylum or international protection, and people under temporary protection;
- third-country family members of Bulgarian or EU/EEA/Swiss citizens;
- EU Blue Card holders who became unemployed within three months or want to change employer;
- third-country nationals who graduated from a Bulgarian university.
Where and how to register
Per the page, you can apply in person at a convenient territorial unit, electronically under the e-Government Act, through a licensed postal operator, or by another method published on the Agency's website. Registration is at the unit covering your permanent or current address.
Documents
Mandatory
A completed application-declaration form (Заявление-декларация) and an identity document. Other documents can be submitted later, in person, electronically or at a meeting with a labour counsellor.Depending on your case
For some foreigners, a travel document and residence permit; education or qualification documents; a medical commission decision for people with permanently reduced work capacity where the data cannot be obtained ex officio.EU/EEA citizens
An ID card or passport and proof of address in Bulgaria: a registration certificate, a residence document or a certificate of long-term residence (required after three months in the country).
Duties of a registered unemployed person
- Follow the labour counsellor's recommendations and the steps and deadlines in the action plan.
- Attend when summoned in writing, within 3 working days of receiving the summons unless a specific date and time is set.
- Report changes to declared circumstances within 7 working days of the change, regardless of the registration address.
- Accept suitable work and/or participation in employment and training programmes.
Per the page, failing these duties (not attending a summons, refusing suitable work, declaring false data) can lead to deregistration, and a new registration is not allowed until three months after the termination.
This page is not legal advice
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner register with the Employment Agency?
Those in the groups listed on the page can, for example people with long-term or permanent residence, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and certain family members. Other cases are not covered on the page.
If I am deregistered, can I register again at once?
No. Per the page, a new registration is not allowed until three months after the termination.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Агенция по заетостта — Често задавани въпроси: Регистрация и трудово посредничество — https://www.az.government.bg/faq/?cat=1 · 2026-10-08
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