Becoming a seafarer in Bulgaria as a career change
Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.
Age limits
- The general minimum age for a certificate of competency is 18.
Entry through your shore profession
| Your profession on shore | Role at sea | Course | Where and on what terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult with secondary education | Deck rating (helmsman) | IAMA-approved preparatory course (STCW A-II/4) | Secondary education plus an IAMA-approved course qualifies you; then 6 months in the deck crew of ships over 500 GT. |
| Mechanic with secondary education | Engine rating (motorman) | IAMA-approved preparatory course (STCW A-III/4) | After the course, 6 months in the engine crew of ships over 300 kW are needed. |
| Cook | Ship's cook | IAMA-approved preparatory course or vocational cooking qualification | A ship's cook needs secondary education and an IAMA-approved preparatory course (or a vocational catering qualification) and must be at least 18. No seafarer under 18 may work as a ship's cook. |
| Helmsman with maritime vocational secondary education | Deck officer of the watch | IAMA-approved course supplementing the education programme to the IMO model course for officers of the watch | This route needs 30 months as helmsman on ships over 500 GT and 6 months as trainee deck officer. |
Minimum set of documents
- All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
- A medical certificate of fitness.
- A course or education approved for the certificate.
Costs and timing: official fees only
- Rating route after a course: 6 months of sea service in the deck crew.
- Sea practice as a trainee counts only if done within 5 years before the certificate.
How to avoid scams
- The authenticity of a Bulgarian certificate of competency and its data can be checked online on the IAMA website.
- Only courses on the IAMA list of approved institutions and centres are approved; check the course end date on the list.
- Under the MLC 2006, recruitment and placement fees must not be charged to the seafarer.
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)