Bulgaria's tourism industry is experiencing an unprecedented influx of international specialists who are filling critical sector needs in 2025. Official BHRA data confirms the engagement of over 20,000 employees from outside the European Union, which represents a remarkable increase from last year's 14,000 workers.
The hired personnel cover diverse professional areas - from kitchen assistants and receptionists to hospitality service staff. Experts define this trend as a result of growing workforce challenges in the tourism industry.
The inter-institutional working group led by Deputy Minister Karadjov is actively seeking solutions to optimize visa procedures. Among the main obstacles are delayed administrative processes and limited consular capacities that hinder the rapid hiring of foreign workers.
This significant international labor flow demonstrates the growing dependence of Bulgarian tourism on the global labor market and the need for flexible workforce strategies.