Electronic labor register in Bulgaria (2025)

Everything You Need to Know About the Electronic Employment Register in Bulgaria (2025)

The Electronic Employment Register is one of the most significant steps toward the digitalization of the labor and social security system in Bulgaria.
It was created to replace outdated paper employment record books and to centralize all information related to employment history, social security contributions, and employment contracts for every working citizen.

In this in-depth article, we explore everything you need to know about the Electronic Employment Register – what it is, how it works, the key benefits, potential challenges, and how to address them.

What is the Electronic Employment Register?

The Electronic Employment Register (EER) is a centralized online database maintained by the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) of Bulgaria. It stores information about the employment history and social security status of every working Bulgarian citizen. The register contains data on:

  • All employment contracts concluded with employers in Bulgaria, including the start and end dates of the contract, job title, and type of employment.
  • Employers with whom the individual has worked – including the company name, Unified Identification Code (UIC), and other identifying information.
  • Social security contributions made by the employer on behalf of the employee – including monthly amounts, categories of labor, and types of insurance.
  • Periods of employment, automatically recorded based on declarations and notifications submitted by employers.
  • Periods of sick leave, maternity leave, and other social benefits, which are submitted by the NSSI and automatically added upon approval.

Which institutions maintain and use the register?

The main institution responsible for maintaining the Electronic Employment Register (EER) is the National Social Security Institute (NSSI). In addition to NSSI, access to the register is also granted to:

  • The National Revenue Agency (NRA) – processes insurance contribution data and monitors the correct submission of declarations by employers.
  • The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) – uses the data to inform policy and administrative decisions related to the labor market.
  • Employers and accountants – have access only to information about their own employees, in order to comply with labor and social security legislation.
  • Citizens – can check their personal records using electronic identification through a Personal Identification Code (PIC), electronic signature, or via the NSSI’s electronic services portal.

What are the benefits of the electronic employment register?

1. For employees:
The electronic register allows every worker to track their complete social security and employment history. This includes verifying the accuracy of social security contributions, length of employment, and periods of maternity leave, sick leave, and more. The tool provides additional protection against dishonest employers who fail to provide proper social security coverage. Additionally, it significantly simplifies the retirement process by eliminating the need to gather paper documents.

2. For employers:
The system enables easier administration of employment relationships through automatic data submission to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and the National Social Security Institute (NSSI). This reduces administrative burden and the likelihood of errors. The data is securely stored and accessible when needed for audits or inspections.

3. For institutions:
The electronic employment register offers centralized, always up-to-date information, which helps institutions make informed decisions regarding social policies, retirement, and control mechanisms. Automated processes contribute to reducing bureaucracy and increasing transparency.

How to check your employment history online?

1. Visit the official website of the National Social Security Institute (NOI) – www.noi.bg. There you will find the section for electronic services.
2. Select the option “E-services with NOI Personal Identification Code (PIC)” or “E-services with Qualified Electronic Signature (QES),” depending on your available access method.
3. Enter your Personal Identification Code (PIC) issued by NOI, or use your QES to log into the system.
4. Go to the section “Insurance Period and Income,” where you will find summarized and detailed information about your employment history.
5. You can review data by year, by employer, and see reports on submitted and accepted social security declarations.

What to do in case of errors or missing data?

The most common issues include missing employment records from a specific employer, incorrect hire or termination dates, as well as unreported or incorrect social security contributions for a given period. If you identify such a problem, it is important to act promptly.
  • First, contact your employer – they are required to submit the correct data to the National Revenue Agency (NAP). In many cases, this is a technical error or oversight.
  • If the employer refuses to cooperate or no longer exists, you should file a complaint and request a correction with the National Social Security Institute (NSSI).
  • Gather the necessary documents proving your employment – employment contract, pay slips, official notes, or other documents that verify your work relationship.
  • After submitting the complaint, monitor the progress of your case online through your personal profile on the NSSI portal or via electronic correspondence.

What will happen to the fizical labour books?

Until 2025, paper employment records are still considered valid documents, but the plans of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) and the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) include their complete phase-out by the end of 2026. What you need to do:
  • Keep your original paper employment record even after the full implementation of the electronic register. It can serve as an archival document in case of disputes.
  • Compare the data from your paper record with those in the electronic register to identify any discrepancies or missing periods.
  • If discrepancies are found between the two sources, submit a correction request along with the supporting documents.

The Electronic Labor Register for Employers and Accountants

Employers have a number of obligations related to the Electronic Labor Register (ELR). These include:
  • Submitting notifications according to Article 62, paragraph 5 of the Labor Code (LC) when concluding or terminating an employment contract, which must be done before the employee starts work.
  • Submitting data through forms D1 and D6 to the National Revenue Agency (NRA), reflecting the social security contributions and employees' income by month.
  • Monitoring and confirming the accuracy of the submitted data – corrections can be made if necessary through appropriate annexes and supplements.
Regarding deadlines:
  • The notification under Article 62 must be submitted no later than three days before the start of the employment relationship.
  • Declarations D1 and D6 must be submitted by the 25th day of the month following the month to which the social security contributions relate.
Failure to meet deadlines or submitting incorrect data exposes employers to penalties according to the Labor Code and the Social Security Code. Fines range from 500 to 15,000 BGN, depending on the severity of the violation.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The operation of the electronic labor register is regulated by a number of legal documents, including:

  • The Labor Code (LC), which governs labor relations, employer obligations, and employee rights.
  • The Social Security Code (SSC), which regulates issues related to insurance periods and social payments.
  • Regulation No. 5 of 2002 on the content of notifications under Article 62 of the Labor Code, detailing what data must be submitted and within what timeframe.
  • The Electronic Governance Act, which defines the administration of electronic services in public administration.
  • The Personal Data Protection Act (GDPR), which is especially important for the storage and access to personal information in the electronic labor register.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a PIC and how can I get it?
The Personal Identification Code (PIC) is issued free of charge by the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) at the nearest territorial office. It serves to access electronic services and is valid indefinitely.

Can I log in with a QES?
Yes. Any qualified electronic signature (QES) recognized by Bulgarian institutions can be used to access the register.

Can I delegate access to an accountant?
No. Access to personal data is strictly individual and protected. Only employers have access to their employees’ data, but not vice versa.

How often is the information updated?
The data is updated monthly based on the declarations and notifications submitted by employers.

Is there a risk of errors?
Yes, especially if the employer has made inaccuracies when submitting data. It is recommended to check the register at least once a year for possible discrepancies.

Recommendations for Citizens and Employees

Regularly check your data in the electronic labor register, especially when changing jobs or before retirement. If you find missing or incorrect information, act promptly – seek assistance from your employer or file a report with the National Social Security Institute (NSSI). Keep all your employment contracts, payslips, and other proof of employment.

Conclusion

The electronic labor register is an important step towards a more transparent and efficient labor and social security system in Bulgaria. It enables employees to track their work history, employers to automate processes, and institutions to make more informed decisions.

Use it regularly, stay informed, and don’t let errors accumulate over the years. The best protection for your labor rights is being well-informed.