Labor Law Consultation

26.03.2025

IN WHICH CASES ARE WE ENTITLED TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT?

According to Art. 54c of the Social Security Code, cash benefits for unemployment are paid monthly in the month following the one for which they are due, for a period determined according to the duration of the insurance period during which the persons were insured for unemployment, for the time after 31 December 2001, as follows: up to 3 years of work experience - 4 months; from 3 years and 1 day to 7 years – 6 months; from 7 years and 1 day to 11 years – 8 months; from 11 years and 1 day to 15 years – 10 months; over 15 years – 12 months.

According to Art. 67 of the Labor Code, the employment contract can be concluded: 1. for an indefinite period; 2. as a fixed-term employment contract. In Art. 70, para. 1 of the Labor Code provides that the final employment acceptance of the worker or employee may be preceded by a contract with a trial period of up to 6 months. The main purpose of the trial period is the party in whose favor it is arranged to ensure that the work is suitable for the person concerned, that it is performed according to the conditions and requirements set by the employer. The employment contract can be concluded for an indefinite period of time or as a fixed-term employment contract. Until the trial period expires, the party in whose favor it was agreed may terminate the contract without notice - Article 71, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Code. After the trial period expires, the term of the contract remains in effect.

In Art. 54a of the Social Security Code stipulates that persons for whom insurance contributions have been paid or are due in the "Unemployment" fund for at least 12 months in the last 18 months before the termination of insurance and who:

  1. are registered as unemployed with the Employment Agency;
  2. have not acquired the right to a pension for insurance service and age in the Republic of Bulgaria or an old-age pension in another country or do not receive a pension for insurance service and age in a reduced amount according to Art. 68a of the Social Security Code or occupational pension under Art. 168 of the Social Security Code;
  3. do not exercise employment for which they are subject to compulsory insurance under this code or under the legislation of another country, with the exception of persons under Art. 114a, para. 1 of the Labor Code.