The standard working time in Bulgaria is eight hours per day over a 40-hour (five-day) week.
There are also some alternatives which include the following:
- An extended 48-hour work week, but only if limited to 60 work days annually, a maximum of 20 days of which can be consecutive;
- A reduced 6-7 hour work day for minors or those working in conditions that pose a risk to life or health;
- Unspecified working time for some positions, determined by the employer;
- Work in shifts;
- Overtime, although it is not permitted in principle;
- Part-time work for a minimum of 4 hours a day, with a working time reduction never exceeding half of the regular working time and not for more than three months annually;
- Flexible scheduled work, where the employee spends a specified period of time (e.g. from 9 AM until 1 PM) at the workplace, after which they are free to decide if, how, where and when they should work the remainder of their working time, with the manner of timekeeping specified in the employer’s internal labour rules;
In case of minors, weekly working time must not exceed 40 hours.
Overtime cannot constitute more than:
- 150 hours per year;
- 30 hours (or 20 night hours) per month;
- 6 hours per day;
- 4 hours per night.
Overtime pay rate is:
- 150% on working days;
- 175% during holidays;
- 200% during public holidays.