1. Hospitality & Tourism
Bulgaria's tourism industry is one of the main drivers of the economy, generating over 2 billion euros in revenue annually. With more than 300 hotels along the Black Sea coast alone, and hundreds of restaurants, bars, and resort complexes, the sector experiences a chronic shortage of staff, particularly during the summer season from May to October.
The most sought-after positions include housekeepers, chefs, assistant cooks, waiters, receptionists, and maintenance workers. Many hotel chains are forced to hire foreign workers to ensure the normal functioning of their properties. According to data from the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA), the sector needs an additional 30,000-40,000 workers every year to cover the seasonal peak.
Workers from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan have already established themselves as reliable staff in this field. They are valued for their work ethic, willingness to work shifts, and quick adaptation to the demands of the hospitality industry.
2. Construction
The construction boom in Bulgaria, fueled by EU-funded infrastructure projects and growing residential development in major cities, has created an enormous need for labor. In Sofia alone, thousands of new apartments are built annually, while highway projects and urban infrastructure renovation require tens of thousands of workers.
The shortage of qualified construction workers is estimated at approximately 20,000-25,000 people per year. The most in-demand roles are:
- Bricklayers and formwork specialists — the foundation of every construction site
- Rebar workers — critical for monolithic construction
- Electricians and plumbing specialists — for finishing work
- General construction laborers — for loading/unloading and auxiliary operations
Workers from Turkey, Vietnam, and India have established themselves in the construction sector thanks to their experience on similar projects in other countries. Many of them arrive with professional qualifications and can immediately join the work process.
3. Manufacturing
Bulgaria's manufacturing sector continues to grow, attracting foreign investment in automotive parts, textiles, food processing, and electronics. Factories operated by companies such as Kostal, Sensata Technologies, and Yazaki operate in the country, but find it increasingly difficult to source sufficient labor.
The sector needs approximately 15,000-20,000 additional workers, including:
- Machine operators in the automotive industry
- Seamstresses and cutters in the textile industry
- Food processing workers in canning and meat processing plants
- Assembly workers in the electronics industry
The food processing industry is particularly affected, as many local workers migrate to Western Europe for higher wages. Foreign workers from Asia demonstrate excellent results on production lines thanks to their precision and discipline.
4. Logistics & Transport
With the growth of e-commerce and increasing volumes of international freight transport, Bulgaria's logistics sector faces an acute shortage of personnel. The country is a key transit point between Europe and Asia, making this sector strategically important.
The most sought-after positions include:
- Warehouse workers — for goods handling in distribution centers
- International heavy vehicle drivers — the deficit here is particularly critical
- Couriers and delivery drivers — due to growing e-commerce
- Forklift operators — for logistics facilities
The truck driver shortage is a European-wide problem, but it is particularly acute in Bulgaria. The country needs more than 10,000 additional drivers annually. Workers from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan increasingly fill warehouse logistics positions, while drivers primarily come from Ukraine and Moldova.
5. Agriculture
Agriculture remains one of the most labor-intensive sectors of the Bulgarian economy. Seasonal harvests — from rose picking in the Kazanlak region to grape harvesting in Thrace and vegetable production in the Plovdiv area — require hundreds of thousands of working hours that the local population finds increasingly difficult to cover.
Greenhouses growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers also need permanent workers. The sector requires 25,000-35,000 seasonal workers annually. Traditionally, this niche is filled by workers from Moldova, Ukraine, and in recent years — from Nepal and Vietnam.
Challenges in agriculture include the remoteness of work sites, physically demanding conditions, and the seasonal nature of the work. Nevertheless, many foreign workers prefer agricultural work because of the accommodation and meals provided on site.
The IT Sector — A Different but Real Need
Although the IT sector differs fundamentally from the industries mentioned above, it also experiences a shortage of talent. Bulgaria has become one of the leading IT hubs in Southeast Europe, with over 50,000 employees in the sector and hundreds of companies searching for talent.
The difference is that the IT sector seeks highly qualified specialists — software developers, DevOps engineers, data analysts, and UX designers. These specialists come primarily from India, Pakistan, and Russia, and work on long-term employment contracts.
Labor Shortage Statistics by Sector
According to data from the Employment Agency and the National Statistical Institute, the total labor shortage in Bulgaria reaches over 150,000 unfilled positions annually. Here is the breakdown by sector:
- Hospitality and restaurants: 30,000-40,000 positions
- Construction: 20,000-25,000 positions
- Agriculture: 25,000-35,000 seasonal positions
- Manufacturing: 15,000-20,000 positions
- Logistics and transport: 10,000-15,000 positions
- IT and technology: 8,000-10,000 positions
These numbers grow every year as Bulgaria's demographic crisis deepens — the population decreases by an average of 50,000-60,000 people annually, and young people continue to emigrate.
Which Nationalities Fill Which Roles
Different sectors attract workers from different countries, depending on skills, cultural characteristics, and available recruitment networks:
- Nepal — hospitality, construction, manufacturing (over 5,000 workers annually)
- Uzbekistan — hospitality, logistics, agriculture
- Vietnam — manufacturing, food processing industry
- India — construction, IT sector
- Sri Lanka — hospitality, restaurant industry
- Moldova and Ukraine — agriculture, transport, construction
- Kyrgyzstan — logistics, manufacturing
Eurasia Consult works with partners in more than 5 countries and can provide suitable candidates for each of the industries mentioned above. Our experience shows that the right match between nationality, skills, and employer requirements is the key to successful hiring.
"The labor shortage is not a future threat — it is already a reality. Companies that act now will have a competitive advantage tomorrow." — The Eurasia Consult Team
If your company faces a staff shortage in any of these industries, contact us for a free consultation. Our team will analyze your needs and propose a specific solution tailored to your budget and requirements.