How to Write a CV in Bulgaria: Format & Guide 2026

Bulgaria is one of the European Union's fastest-growing IT and business process outsourcing destinations, with Sofia developing into a recognized technology hub attracting investment from global companies. Alongside this modern sector, traditional industries in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism continue to employ a large portion of the workforce. Understanding what Bulgarian employers in each sector expect ensures your CV lands in the right pile.

The Bulgarian CV Format

The document is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae) or автобиография (avtobiografiya) in Bulgarian. Standard length is one to two pages for most professional roles. The CV may be written in Bulgarian for domestic employers and traditional businesses, or in English for multinational companies, technology firms, and international organizations operating in Sofia and other cities.

Many professionals in the technology sector maintain English CVs exclusively. For government roles and traditional Bulgarian businesses, a Bulgarian-language CV is expected.

Personal Information

Bulgarian CVs include moderately detailed personal information:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Address (city, and neighborhood for Sofia applications)
• Phone number (mobile)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile (recommended for IT, management, and corporate roles)
• Citizenship (for non-Bulgarian nationals)

Marital status is traditionally included on Bulgarian CVs but is becoming less common in modern company applications. Do not include your EGN (civil identification number) in the CV.

Professional Photo

A professional photo is common on Bulgarian CVs for traditional private sector and government applications. Use a recent, formal photograph with a neutral background. Technology companies and international firms typically do not require a photo.

Education

Bulgaria's higher education institutions recognized by employers include:

• Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski": The most prestigious national university
• Technical University Sofia: Leading engineering and technology programs
• University of National and World Economy (UNWE): Business, economics, and finance
• Medical University Sofia: Healthcare and medical professionals
• New Bulgarian University: Strong in law, IT, and humanities

Degrees from other EU universities are well recognized. UK, US, and German degrees are highly valued. Note that Bulgarian Cyrillic script is used on national diplomas; for international applications, the Latin transliteration or English version of the institution name is appropriate.

Sofia's Technology Sector

Sofia has established itself as a cost-effective European technology hub, with companies including VMware, Cargill, SAP, Coca-Cola HBC, and numerous gaming studios having large development offices. For technology roles:

• List programming languages, frameworks, and tools specifically and with demonstrated project context
• Include GitHub profile, portfolio links, or specific product/platform contributions
• Highlight remote collaboration tools and international team experience
• English proficiency at C1 or C2 is effectively required for most tech roles

Work Experience

Reverse chronological order is standard. For each role include:

• Employer name and industry (note if international parent company)
• Job title
• Employment dates
• City
• Three to five bullet points on responsibilities and outcomes

Bulgaria's labor market spans manufacturing (Liebherr, Montupet, and the automotive supply chain), logistics, food processing, financial services (DSK Bank, UniCredit Bulbank, Postbank), and tourism (Black Sea coast, Bansko ski resort, Sofia city tourism).

Languages

Bulgarian is the official language. For professional advancement, the most important additional languages are:

• English: Required for technology, finance, and international company roles
• German: Valuable given significant German investment in Bulgarian manufacturing
• Russian: Historically common, still practically useful in some business contexts
• Romanian and Turkish: Useful for border-region commerce and regional business

Common CV Mistakes in Bulgaria

• Using a Bulgarian-language CV for an international tech company that expects English
• No LinkedIn profile for roles where international recruiters specifically check it
• Omitting specific technologies and listing only general categories like "programming"
• No professional photo on a domestic CV where it is expected