How to become a seafarer in Bulgaria after school
Official rules for school students and school leavers. Check every requirement with the maritime authority before you apply or pay.
Officer: maritime academy or college
- Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna offers a full-time bachelor's degree in navigation.
- Navigation graduates are trained for deck officer and chief mate posts on all types of merchant ships.
- The academy's marine engines and mechanisms bachelor's degree prepares watchkeeping engineers for merchant ships.
- A deck officer of the watch needs a bachelor's degree in navigation, or secondary education with the third-level vocational qualification in maritime navigation.
- An engineer officer of the watch needs a bachelor's degree in marine engines and mechanisms, or secondary education with the third-level vocational qualification in that field.
Rating: rating course
- A deck rating (helmsman) certificate is open to people with secondary education who complete an IAMA-approved preparatory course (STCW A-II/4).
- Course graduates also need 6 months in the deck crew of ships over 500 GT.
- An engine rating (motorman) certificate is open to people with secondary education who complete an IAMA-approved preparatory course (STCW A-III/4).
- Course graduates also need 6 months in the engine crew of ships over 300 kW.
- Graduates of maritime vocational schools need 2 months of training at sea, recorded in a practical training record book.
Exams and certification
- Navigation graduates receive the certificates needed for cadet sea service and for the IAMA exam for officer of the watch.
- A deck officer of the watch must also pass the IAMA exam for GMDSS general operator.
- IAMA publishes the test questions used in seafarer certificate exams.
- IAMA also publishes a demo version of the exam software.
Documents in order
- A diploma of approved education.
- A certificate of completion of an IAMA-approved preparatory course, where required.
- A medical certificate of fitness.
- A document proving sea service.
- Practical training and sea practice recorded in a practical training record book.
Cadet training at sea
- University graduates in navigation need 12 months of training at sea, at least 6 of them as trainee deck officer on ships over 500 GT on international voyages.
- University graduates in marine engineering need 12 months, at least 6 of them at sea as trainee engineer on ships over 750 kW.
- Trainee sea practice must be done no earlier than 5 years before the certificate is issued.
- The practical training record book must be certified by the Maritime Administration directorate.
- Naval Academy students have yearly training practice, including voyages on ships of partner shipping companies.
Approved training institutions
Only institutions from the official list of the maritime authority. The list changes: check that the institution is still approved before you pay.
Universities and maritime vocational schools from the IAMA list of approved education and training institutions (12.10.2026). The list also names private training centres for short STCW courses; they are not shown.
Varna Province
- Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, VarnaCourses: Bachelor in navigation; Bachelor in marine engines and mechanisms; STCW courses approved by IAMA
- Technical University of Varna, VarnaCourses: STCW courses approved by IAMA
- Varna Maritime Professional School "St. Nikolay Chudotvorets", VarnaCourses: Maritime vocational secondary education; STCW courses approved by IAMA
Burgas Province
- Vocational Professional School of Shipping and Fishing, BurgasCourses: Maritime vocational secondary education; STCW courses approved by IAMA
First job: starter vacancies
Live vacancies on Krew Guru for starter positions. Vacancies without any sea experience are rare, so we do not promise a job without it.
No open starter vacancies right now. Upload your CV and we will send you matching vacancies.
Krew Guru numbers
89% of open vacancies on Krew Guru accept citizens of Bulgaria.
Seafarer profiles from Bulgaria on Krew Guru: 600+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Executive Agency Maritime Administration (IAMA)