Bulgarian transport firms face driver shortage despite high wages

Bulgarian international transport companies are facing a severe driver shortage despite offering high wages that rival Western European standards. Current job listings show net monthly salaries ranging from 3,450 to 4,000 euros for routes involving the Netherlands and Germany, with some positions covering Spain, Germany, and Belgium reaching up to 4,500 euros.

Employers report constant bidding wars and frequent driver turnover, as workers often switch companies for marginal increases of 200 to 300 euros. This instability makes fleet planning difficult for logistics firms, who risk leaving expensive vehicles idle on parking lots.

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) identifies several systemic causes for this European-wide crisis, including an aging workforce, poor work-life balance, a lack of secure parking, high costs for professional qualifications, and low interest among younger generations. Additionally, women represent only 4% of heavy goods vehicle drivers in Europe.