April 16, 2025
15 minutes read
What you'll learn
Maternity leave at a glance
Key documents and deadlines
Maternity pay
Transfer Maternity leave (after 6 months)
Returning to work before the child’s 2nd birthday
Consecutive Maternity leave
Why This Guide Matters
If you’re a Manager or HR in Bulgaria, managing maternity leave may feel like navigating a maze of paperwork, timelines, and legal obligations. For employees, it’s equally overwhelming: a mix of excitement and uncertainty during a pivotal life event.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about maternity leave in Bulgaria—clearly, legally, and practically—so that your business stays compliant, and your people feel supported.
Maternity leave At a glance
Pregnancy and Childbirth Leave in Bulgaria covers 410 calendar days per child, regardless of the child’s birth date or when they turn one. The period is structured as follows:
- 45 days before the due date
- 365 days after childbirth
Beyond the 410 days, employees may extend leave until the child turns 2, often called the second year of maternity leave.
Key Documents and Deadlines
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Start and duration
Documents
Actions
45 days before the due date
45 days before the expected due date
Sick Leave Certificate issued by OB/GYN
Employee: Obtain the Sick Leave document and provide it to the Employer.
Employer: Submit it to NSSI.
Childbirth
On the day of the childbirth, for exactly 42 days
Sick Leave Certificate issued by the hospital where the birth occurred
Employee: obtain the Sick Leave document and provide it to the Employer.
Employer: Submit it to NSSI.
If the baby is born earlier, any unused days are carried over to the next sick leave period, ensuring that the total number of days across all sick leave certificates is exactly 135.
If the baby is born later than expected, an additional sick leave certificate is required (issued by a GP or OB).
Up to day 135
It starts on the 43rd day after childbirth, and its duration varies. Its purpose is to ensure that the total number of days from the start of leave reaches exactly 135, regardless of when the baby was born.
- Sick Leave Certificate from the pediatrician or GP.
- Declaration (Pril. 1)
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate
Employee:
- Obtain the Sick Leave document.
-
Fill in and sign the Declaration (Pril. 1).
-
Copy of the birth certificate.
- Provide all the above to the Employer.
Employer: Submit it to NSSI.
Up to day 410
From the 135th till the 410th day
Employee:
-
Fill in and sign the Declaration (Pril. 2).
- Provide it to the Employer.
Employer: Submit it to NSSI.
From the end of the 410 days until the child turns 2 years old
Employee:
-
Fill in and sign the Declaration (Pril. 7).
- Provide it to the Employer.
Employer: Submit it to NSSI.
The employee must inform the Employer of any change in circumstances within three days.
Need help with documents?
Maternity Pay
Period
Pay
Funded by
First 410 days
90% of the average daily gross salary for the last 24 months, capped at the Maximum Social Security Base.
National Social Security Institute (NSSI)
Second year
BGN 780/month (for 2025)
National Social Security Institute (NSSI)
Still have questions?
Transfer Maternity Leave (After 6 Months)
Possible after the child turns 6 months
Eligible recipients: Father or grandparent
Required: Mother’s written consent, child’s birth certificate, leave request from the father, or grandparent
Returning to Work Before the Child’s 2nd Birthday
Possible before the child turns 2
Benefit: The mother can return to work while receiving 50% of the remaining maternity benefits.
Required: Declaration (Pril. 8) filled in by the Employee and submitted to NSSI by the Employer.
Consecutive Maternity Leave
If a second child is born before the first child turns 2, maternity pay is:
Based on the first child’s pay history.
The mother can receive full pay for child #2, and 50% of the remaining pay for child #1 (as she is stopping her maternity before the second year of the first child).
🚀 Let’s Simplify HR – Together
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