Emilia Palibatchiyska starts her career in the banking sector in 1990. During 2002 she occupies the position of Executive Director and member of the Management Board of HVB Bank Biochim. For the period 2007 - 2017 Emilia Palibachiyska is a Chief Financial Officer and member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank.

In the course of her assignment in the banking and financial sector, she is a member of the Management and Supervisory Boards of banking and non-banking institutions in Bulgaria and abroad. Since 2019 Emilia Palibachiyska is a member of the Supervisory Board of UniCredit Hungary (in 2020 she is appointed as a Chairperson), Audit Committee, Risk Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee.