Galery

1

Until the end of 2008 Bulgaria was in the first transitional period in its membership in the EU. Basically this means that Bulgarians could work in EU countries only with a work permit. From January 1^st, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Hungary made the decision to open their job market for Bulgarian citizens. Denmark has also announced it will open its job market on May 1^st, 2009.

The EU members, who decided to continue their transitional measures towards Bulgaria and Romania, needed to announce their decision until January 1^st 2009. Those 11 countries, which have decided to leave the job market closed – among, which are France, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, and Belgium can change their decision at any time and open it.

The important thing is that from now on Bulgarians will be able to work freely in Greece and use all Greek labor rights. So what exactly are the changes?

What rights do Bulgarians have who have worked in Greece either legally or illegally?

-      Bulgarians living in Greece have the same and equal rights as Greeks to apply for available job positions.

-      The job search services are obliged to serve Bulgarians, Greeks, and other EU citizens equally.

-      Nationality racism is forbidden against Bulgarians working in Greece.

-      Bulgarians have to right for qualifications and requalification.

-      Bulgarians need to have the same social and tax concessions as Greeks.