The Work Culture Of Bulgarian People: 6 Key Insights

Laptop, pen, phone, notebook, glasses, and paper on a wooden surface - Work culture of Bulgarian people - Ling app

If you’re an expatriate living in Bulgaria, adapting to the local work culture can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you are new to the country or have been here for a while, understanding the work culture of Bulgarian people is essential to thriving both professionally and personally. Knowing the language and its idioms, as well as the local psychology and culture, is also essential for finding the right place to work and communicating freely with colleagues.

In this article, you will find some insights into Bulgarian work culture, the typical working week, the main aspects of work-life balance, health insurance, income tax, and many more useful tips to make your adaptation smoother. Let’s dive in!

Brief Overview Of Bulgaria

Before we get into the specifics of the Bulgarian work culture, let’s quickly review a little about the country itself.

Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Eastern Europe, boasting a rich history, stunning views, and a diverse cultural heritage. From the majestic mountains to the beautiful beaches of the Black Sea, Bulgaria has a lot to offer. 

Bulgarian people have a long history of working hard with their hands. They were mainly engaged in agriculture and handicrafts, which is to say, physical manual labor. This characteristic of hard work has remained in their culture. Bulgarian people have always been a hard-working bunch, and you can see that today. There’s a lovely old saying that many Bulgarians live by: “Work beautifies a man.” It’s as true today as it’s ever been! A kind, honest person is always ready to lend a hand, to work hard and to make a living in an honest way and with his own efforts.

The country is a combination of both of these old traditional characteristics and new modern elements and ways of work. It is especially featured in its capital city, Sofia, which is at once a bustling metropolis serving as the country’s market’s economy and cultural center and preserving old traditions and elements as if from the past.

However, the city is home to many Bulgarian universities, cultural attractions, and a thriving IT sector, making it an attractive destination for locals and foreigners alike. If you want to feel the character of the real traditional Bulgarian work culture but want at the same time to work in a modern base, the capital, Sofia, is a place for you.

Work Culture Of Bulgarian People

Bulgaria’s work culture often clearly reflects the country’s history, values, and position as a member of the European Union. While some aspects may be similar to those of other European countries, there are also distinct differences that set the country apart. 

Here’s what you need to know about the work culture of Bulgarian people before diving into it:

1. Working Hours And Typical Working Week

In Bulgaria, the typical working week is 40 hours, with normal workdays from Monday to Friday. Of course, there are also some places where these five workdays aren’t always on the same days, depending on the schedule set by the employer and the employee. This is most often the case in commerce and tourism & hospitality.

The standard work hours are from 9:00 to 18:00, with a one-hour lunch break. However, as we mentioned, depending on the field, a different schedule can be chosen if it’s more suitable, such as morning, evening, or night shifts. Also, some companies may have flexible work hours or offer home office opportunities, especially in the IT and digital marketing sectors.

On the other hand, Bulgarians tend to have a strong work ethic. They’re usually expected to be punctual, diligent, and dedicated to their tasks. Actually, Bulgarians take pride in their work and strive for quality.

2. Business Culture And Relationships

Building strong relationships is really important in Bulgarian work culture. Work meetings often kick off with some informal chatter over coffee or lunch, just like in many other countries and cultures. But it’s not just about killing time or playing it safe. It’s a chance for people to get to know each other before diving into business together.

Bulgarians are pretty direct and open, and they also want to work with someone they can trust. They value personal connections in business, so don’t be surprised if your Bulgarian colleagues or business partners want to get to know each other before entering into negotiations. 

Bulgarian people also often need more time to consider all aspects before making an important decision, but once they make it, they stick to it and give it their all.

Post-it note that reads 'more family time'

3. Work-Life Balance

Bulgarians are freedom-loving people who will always find time to rest. They value their health and their free time with family and friends.  There is no Bulgarian who does not clearly see the boundaries between personal life and work.

Many Bulgarians like to spend time with relatives and friends, especially on weekends.  The country’s temperate continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities, whether it’s skiing in the winter or relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Black Sea in the summer.  There are wonderful places in Bulgaria worth visiting, whether you are just traveling around Bulgaria or living in it.

Holidays and celebrations are also an integral part of the work culture in Bulgaria.  The country has several national holidays throughout the year, during which employees can take time off and enjoy various activities.

4. Salary, Income Tax, And Cost Of Living

Bulgaria has a relatively low cost of living compared to Western Europe. Salaries in Bulgaria vary depending on the industry. For example, the IT sector tends to offer higher wages compared to other fields, which is not that surprising. But the biggest plus is that the country has a flat rate income tax of 10%, which is one of the lowest in the European Union, making it an even more attractive place to live and work.

While salaries may be lower than in other European countries, the lower cost of living often makes up for this, allowing many expats to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

5. Health Insurance And Medical Care

Health insurance in Bulgaria is mandatory for all citizens and foreigners residing in the country. To access healthcare and medical treatment covered by the state, contributions must be deposited into the country’s health fund.

There are two ways to achieve this. You can contribute the amount yourself if you are unemployed or self-insured. Alternatively, your employer can pay the amount on a monthly basis.

The educational institution covers health insurance costs for minors (in Bulgaria, the age of majority is 18), such as young children and students and adult students at universities.

A problem with Bulgaria’s state health insurance is that the amount is often insufficient and may not cover all necessary treatment expenses. Additionally, many state hospitals and polyclinics are poorly funded. Despite having skilled doctors and specialists, they lack the necessary resources and equipment. Only in larger cities like Sofia are there well-equipped state hospitals, such as the renowned “Pirogov.”

Due to these issues, many people prefer to deposit their health insurance contributions into personal health bank accounts and receive treatment at private, well-funded, and well-maintained clinics and hospitals.

6. Work Permits And Visas

If you’re looking to work in Bulgaria, you’ll need to get a work permit and visa.

If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need this to be able to work in Bulgaria, but if you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need to get a work permit before you can start working.

The process can take some time, so it’s important to start the application process early and make sure you have all the required documents.

Woman in front of a laptop on a video call

Tips For Thriving In The Bulgarian Work Culture

Adapting to a new work culture can take time and effort, and sometimes can be confusing or stressful, but here are some tips to help you succeed in understanding the Bulgarian work culture:

  1. Be Punctual: Bulgarians value punctuality, so make sure to arrive on time for meetings and appointments.
  2. Learn the Language: Even if you’re not fluent, learning some basic Bulgarian can go a long way in building relationships with colleagues and navigating daily life. In such cases, the Ling app is your go-to tool for learning the language in the way and speed you want.
  3. Embrace the Culture: Take the time to learn about Bulgarian customs and traditions. Participating in local events and festivals can help you feel more connected to the community. Try to engage with Bulgarian media or just listen to music.
  4. Network: Building relationships is crucial in Bulgaria, so take advantage of networking opportunities to expand your professional connections.

How Do You Say Work Culture In Bulgarian?

In Bulgarian, “work culture” is said as rabotna kultura (работна култура).

To help you get started with Bulgarian, here are some useful phrases and vocabulary related to work culture. You can also read about Bulgarian grammar basics, commonly used vocabulary, traditional cuisine, and many more in the Ling blog.

English wordBulgarian wordPronunciation
Workrabotaработа
Officeofisофис
Colleagueskolegiколеги
Bossshefшеф
Taskzadachaзадача
Contractdogovorдоговор
Health insurancezdravna osigurovkaздравна осигуровка
Salaryzaplataзаплата

FAQs About Bulgarian Work Culture 

1. Is Bulgaria Friendly To Foreigners?

Yes, Bulgarians are welcoming people. You’ll be surprised at how many languages they can speak, so you’ll always find a way to communicate easily.

2. Are Bulgarians Rude?

Some people from Western countries might say this because of the huge difference in character between their culture and spirit and that of Bulgaria. But in reality, Bulgarians are just honest, strong, a little sharp, and very decisive.

3. What Are Normal Working Hours In Bulgaria?

A standard workday in Bulgaria lasts for 8 hours.

Drawing of stick figure balancing on a line with 'life' and 'work' written on each side

Summary 

It’s really important to understand the work culture in Bulgaria if you want to build a successful career there or just want to learn more about the country’s economy and business world. Adapting to the local culture might even be a bit of a challenge, as Bulgarians and their language and culture are quite different from those of most other European countries and from those of countries outside the European Union.

But no matter what you’re up to, whether you’re on the job hunt, adjusting to a new workplace, or just getting to know your Bulgarian colleagues, remember that patience, respect, and a willingness to learn will go a long way. Happy learning!

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