We have all seen those blue paper booklets passed from employer to employer. Until recently, they were an essential part of every employment contract in Bulgaria. In 2026, however, this relic is finally going down in history.
The transition to electronic employment record books is not just another administrative change – it is a long-awaited relief for every business owner. If you have employees, here is everything you need to know about the digitalization of labor records so you are fully prepared and avoid fines.
1. What exactly changes with the new employment books?
Until now, every appointment, reappointment, salary change, or resignation had to be manually written into the employee’s paper booklet. After that, the booklet had to be stamped and signed.
With the introduction of the electronic employment register, paper disappears. All data is now stored digitally in the databases of the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and the National Social Security Institute (NOI).
- As an employer, you (or your accountant) submit the data entirely online through your payroll software.
- The employee has access to their electronic record at any time using an electronic signature, an NRA PIC, or an NOI PIC.
- There is no longer any risk of losing, tearing, or destroying the document.
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2. Deadlines in 2026 – What you need to do NOW
Digitalization is already a reality, but there is a transition period during which you must “close” the old paper documents.
If you are still keeping the employment books of your employees in the office, the final legal deadline to process and return them is June 1, 2026.
- You must enter the final length of service as of the transition date.
- Apply a company stamp and signature.
- Return the booklet to the employee, who from now on must keep it at home as a historical document of their past work experience.
For more details about this key date, read our detailed article: The employment record books are abolished from 1 June 2026.. And to make sure you do not miss other important dates for payments and declarations to the state, keep our 2026 Accounting Calendar: A Complete Guide to Tax Deadlines in the Euro Era handy.
3. How does digitalization ease your company’s administration?
As a business owner or manager, your time is invaluable. The removal of paper booklets brings huge advantages to the company:
- End of physical archives: There is no longer a need to store employees’ employment books in a safe or a metal cabinet. This saves space and removes your liability in the event of theft, flood, or fire.
- Faster hiring and releasing: The process of onboarding a new person becomes much faster. There is no need for the employee to bring their booklet, for you to hold onto it for days, and to fill it out manually.
- Eliminating human error: Hand-filling often led to incorrect dates, cross-outs, and illegible stamps, which then had to be corrected with complex procedures and new declarations.
- Full automation: Your accountant integrates the data directly with state institutions with just a few clicks.
Conclusion
The transition to electronic employment record books is one of the most positive changes for businesses in Bulgaria in recent years. Your only task in 2026 is to ensure that all old paper books are properly closed and returned to their owners. From there on, the digital world takes over the administrative burden entirely, leaving you more time to focus on your real business tasks.
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