Temporary protection: Bulgaria
🛰️ Varta monitors 4 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + Bulgarian Asylum and Refugees Act • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
▸ More details›
Show your passport at the border. The entry date is recorded — it matters for deadlines. Keep the stamp.📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Apply for protection at the SAR
Apply for temporary protection at the State Agency for Refugees (SAR). You receive a temporary protection card — residence, work, healthcare, education.
▸ More details›
SAR has offices in Sofia and regions. Apply in person. If you have no housing you will be directed to a reception centre. Decisions are usually fast. Embassy of Ukraine in Sofia: 29 Boryana St, Ovcha kupel, 1618 Sofia, +359 2 818 68 28 — advice in Ukrainian.📍 SAR⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Healthcare, school, work
Healthcare via the national insurance system. Children to school. Work — free access, register at the Labour Office (BT).
▸ More details›
After the protection card you receive a personal number (LNCh) which opens healthcare and work. Social aid via the Social Support Agency (ASP).📍 NHIF / Labour Office💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredUkrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
First name and surname in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format DD.MM.YYYY.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Bulgaria: city, street, number.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Missing signature
As in the passport.
Personal number (issued with the protection card).
Income; if none — "bez dokhod".
❌ Hidden income ❌ Without LNCh (protection first)
Benefits
Labour market access
Protection holders.
How to apply: Automatic; Labour Office for jobs
Social aid (ASP)
Families without income.
How to apply: Local ASP
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Where to apply
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
What happens after protection ends
After protection: residence permit on other grounds (work, study, family), permanent residence after 5 years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Bulgaria
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: State Agency for Refugees (SAR).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Bulgaria
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Bulgaria
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Bulgaria
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Bulgaria
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
In Bulgaria protection does not roll over by itself: to keep the status you must appear in person for re-registration and get a new registration card, at a territorial unit of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR/ДАБ) or at a regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior, bringing your international passport and your old card. As of 3 September 2026 Bulgaria has NOT yet announced the dates for the round covering the period after 04.03.2027: in previous years the Council of Ministers decision came in February and the re-registration window closed on 30 April, but that is a pattern, not an announced fact — watch the SAR website in early 2027. Where: A territorial unit of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers (SAR / ДАБ, aref.government.bg) OR the nearest regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior ("Migration" directorate). There is no online portal for this — you must appear in person. You need your national international passport and your valid registration card. Important: The dates of the next window have not been announced — do not assume "by 30.04.2027" by analogy with previous years. The mechanism, however, has been stable for four years running (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026): the Council of Ministers extends, by a separate decision, both the protection itself and the validity of cards already issued, after which a re-registration window with in-person attendance opens. The key risk: if you do not complete re-registration within the set period, the card is declared invalid and the person stops enjoying the rights of a temporary protection holder (access to work, healthcare, social support), even though the EU decision has extended protection to 04.03.2028 — the EU decision applies in law, but the national card "lapses" without re-registration. Source: https://aref.government.bg/%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8/%D1%81%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%D1%8A%D1%82-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D1%81%D0%B5-%D1%83%D0%B4%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B6%D0%B8 (checked 03.09.2026).
Where do I apply for protection?
At the SAR (State Agency for Refugees) — Sofia 1233, 114-B Maria Luiza Blvd, or regional offices.
Can I work?
Yes, temporary protection grants work rights without extra permits.
What is the LNCh?
The foreigner’s personal number — opens healthcare, work, banking. Issued with the protection card.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.