In recent years, more and more young people in Bulgaria have been using the long vacation to earn personal funds through work. Since the beginning of 2025, the Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate" (IAGIT) has issued 14,547 permits for minors to start working. For the same period in 2024, the permits were 13,052, and in 2023 - 11,286.
This was reported to BNR-Radio Sofia by Vanya Dzhupanova, an expert at IAGIT.
According to her, there were the most applicants in Burgas, Varna, Sofia, Plovdiv and Dobrich. The preferred job is in the field of restaurant and hotel management and trade.
The initiative lies with the employer. He submits the documents for each person under 18 years of age with a job description (job description), risk assessment, medical report, etc.
Inspectors are required to exercise control over the work of minors.
Persons must be at least 16 years of age, work 35 hours per week and receive at least the minimum wage. They cannot perform overtime, heavy physical and night work, as well as in risky environments.
Persons under the age of 16 are allowed to work exceptionally in the case of talents in the artistic fields.
Dzhupanova recommended that young people sign employment contracts that will guarantee them rights, including social security.
However, not all teenagers feel like working, despite the long hours during these months. Our reporter met on the streets of Sofia those who prefer entertainment, hobbies, parks, malls, walks and coffee with friends. Others are thinking about upgrading their knowledge even during these months.