The Bulgarian Parliament accepted on first reading amendments to the regime for issuing of EU Blue Cards

On 02.10.2020 the Bulgarian Parliament adopted amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, which aim to relieve and shorten the procedure for issuance of permits for highly-qualified employment – EU Blue Cards. The amendments introduce the requirements of Directive 2011/98/EU on a single application procedure for this type of work and residence permit. After the final adoption of the draft of the act, the application for issuance of EU Blue Card shall be filed only before the authorities of the Ministry of Interior, which shall arrange the necessary coordination with the Employment Agency for the issuance of a permit for access to the labour market. Additionally, a maximum total term of the procedure of 3 months has been introduced.
The changes to the regime for issuance of EU Blue Cards can have significant positive effects – since at this point the procedure is slow in comparison to other EU Member States – but can also create difficulties. At the current moment, the final text has not yet been adopted by the Bulgarian Parliament, whereas amendments to specific provisions can still be introduced.