Paid time off

Bulgaria mandates a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave for employees. This entitlement represents the baseline paid time off that employers must grant to all workers covered by the Labour Code, regardless of sector or employment type. The leave accrues throughout the calendar year and serves as a fundamental worker protection ensuring adequate rest and recovery periods.

The regulation is established under Bulgaria's Labour Code and administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The 20-day minimum has remained the statutory floor for basic paid annual leave, though collective agreements and individual employment contracts may provide more generous terms. Employers cannot reduce this entitlement below the legal minimum.

Employees typically accrue leave on a monthly basis, with the full 20 days becoming available by the end of the calendar year. Leave must be taken within the calendar year or carried forward under specific conditions defined by employer policy or collective agreements, though Bulgarian law generally expects leave to be used within the accrual year. Unused leave at year-end may result in compensation obligations depending on contractual arrangements.

Employers must maintain accurate leave records and ensure employees can exercise their right to paid time off without penalty. Payroll teams should track accrual monthly, manage leave requests systematically, and ensure compensation is calculated correctly if leave is not taken or if employment terminates. Failure to provide the statutory minimum or compensate unused leave appropriately can result in labour inspectorate penalties and employee claims for damages.