1. Employers’ obligations under the new Disability Act

On 18 December 2018 the Bulgarian Parliament enacted the new Disability Act, according to which employers in Bulgaria are required to hire disabled workers according to the following quota:

• Employers with 50 to 99 workers must employ one permanently disabled worker.
• Employers with 100 or more workers must ensure 2% of their average staff are disabled workers.

The working positions designated to be filled by permanently disabled workers will be in addition to those that employers are required to have for occupational rehabilitees.

If employers fail to comply with the above requirements, they are liable for a monthly compensation contribution of 30% of the minimum monthly working salary for the country (currently BGN 560 or approximately EUR 280) for each vacant position for a permanently disabled worker.

Employers have to notify the Bulgarian Employment Agency of any vacant positions (as per their quota) and the required qualifications and professional skills for each.

2. New minimum monthly salary

As of 1 January 2019 the Bulgarian minimum monthly salary rose from BGN 510 to BGN 560 or approximately EUR 280 per month. At the same time, the maximum monthly social income over which employers and employees have to pay social security contributions rose from BGN 2,600 to BGN 3,000 or approximately EUR 1,500 per month.