Bulgaria Jobs - What Opportunities Are There for Expatriates?

Now that Bulgaria has joined the European Union much is being written about the expected outward flow of migrant Bulgarian workers, who some believe may well choose to relocate within the European Union and seek better paying employment opportunities.  But what about the local Bulgarian jobs market - has the employment landscape changed with EU accession and in terms of Bulgaria jobs, what opportunities are there for expatriates moving to live and work in Bulgaria?

Well, it seems that the prospects are improving almost daily with professional openings being advertised with the likes of IBM and Mediacorp Limited for example - and if you’re interested in getting a job in Bulgaria this is our guide to the changing employment landscape and what work opportunities are currently available for expatriates.

Prior to EU accession the majority of British expatriates of employment age and status living in Bulgaria were employed by the likes of the British Embassy and the British Council.  There were also various vacancies occasionally advertised for teachers and administrative staff for example, which attracted those already in Bulgaria - or the other main alternative available was working in the real estate industry as an estate agent marketing and selling property in Bulgaria to fellow Brits and Europeans.

With the boom in the property market and a general increased awareness of the appeal of Bulgaria in terms of its natural attraction, its historic charm and the fact that the low cost of living in Bulgaria meant that western Europeans could enjoy a high standard of living, there came a gradual but steady increase in the number of expatriates taking up residence particularly along the coast and in Sofia.  Now that EU entry has arrived Bulgaria is expecting to see a significant increase in the numbers of western European expats relocating to its towns and cities. 

Not only are expatriates turning their attentions to Bulgaria, but now that full EU member status has been bestowed upon Bulgaria it has become easier, safer and more attractive - particularly in costing and affordability terms - for international employers to relocate to, or expand operations in Bulgaria, and so the employment landscape is changing for the better.

One of the most significant employment market entrants has been IBM, and where IBM is leading others are expected to follow.  Significant investment is being ploughed into the development of an active IT marketplace and to aid this development, private and public funds are being spent on the provision of a superior infrastructure backbone for technologically advanced company operations.  A number of industry analysts predict that Bulgaria could soon rival traditional offshoring centers and become a near-shoring alternative for those seeking lower overhead costs in addition to access to well trained staff working out of an environment with exceptional IT based infrastructure.  Naturally this bodes very well indeed for the job marketplace in Bulgaria for local and expatriate workers.

Highlighting the exciting and rapid changes occurring month by month in Bulgaria is the respected high-end English language monthly magazine Vagabond which is published by Mediacorp Limited.  Vagabond is a lifestyle magazine for international expatriates living and working in Bulgaria and it is of increased interest to the international marketplace as more companies and individuals examine the prospective benefits of moving to or investing in Bulgaria. 

Vagabond features news, commentary and reviews from local reporters located throughout Bulgaria, and it also includes the perspectives of international correspondents who are able to report from as far afield as America about the world’s positive changing attitude towards Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people.  The magazine also covers everything ‘lifestyle’ that’s going on in Bulgaria with reviews of restaurants, bars and venues and listings of forthcoming events enabling expatriates to get out and about and make the most of living in their new country. 

Coincidentally, the magazine’s publishers Mediacorp Limited currently have a job vacancy for a senior editor to work out of Sofia in Bulgaria – they are seeking someone with native proficiency in UK English with at least two to three years experience in print or electronic media.  Applicants should apply to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with their CV or for a synopsis of the criteria the ideal applicant should possess.  This just goes to further prove what we have been saying – namely that the employment landscape in Bulgaria is changing, developing and expanding and that this is highly encouraging for the future job prospects for local Bulgarians and also us expatriates who like to live and work abroad.