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Information for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria

Card valid until 4 March 2027; EU protection until 4 March 2028, Bulgarian extension pending

Information checked in October–November 2026.

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Important to know

Your card is valid until 4.03.2027: watch for Bulgaria's re-registration announcement after the EU extension to 2028 — in 2026 renewal was not automatic and old cards became invalid after 30 April (late renewals only at SAR centres, with health insurance suspended meanwhile). Since 5.08.2026 new applicants with military obligations must prove legal exit or show a Reserve+ document. State housing is limited to 60 days except for vulnerable groups; families refused because of the child-age rule can reapply after the court ruling of 24.07.2026. After 90 days adults without a job pay health insurance themselves. RefugeeLight (FAR): temporary protection

Status and documents

How long protection lasts
Temporary protection until 4 March 2027 (Council of Ministers Decision No. 190 of 17.02.2026); the registration card is valid for the same term. The EU has already extended protection to 4 March 2028; in previous years Bulgaria adopted its own decision and opened re-registration in January–February.
Documents
Ukrainian passport (international or internal) or ID card; children's birth certificates. Without documents, identity is checked at a State Agency for Refugees (SAR) centre. Since 5.08.2026 (EU rule) new applicants with military obligations: proof of legal exit (exit stamp) or a Reserve+ document.
Where and how to apply
In person (no proxies) at a regional Interior Ministry directorate, at the Ruse or Durankulak border crossings, or at a SAR centre (Sofia, Harmanli, Banya, Pastrogor). Renewals after 30.04.2026 only at SAR centres. Then register your address with the local police (rental contract or the owner's notarised consent).
Processing time
Usually on the spot: biometrics are taken and the card with a personal foreigner number (LNCh) is issued in about 5–15 minutes. Without identity documents the check at SAR takes longer.
When protection ends
Ends with the national term (now 4.03.2027) unless extended, or by EU decision. Withdrawn only for serious crimes or security reasons; trips abroad do not end it. A card not renewed in time becomes invalid: you can re-register later, but your rights (incl. health insurance) are suspended until then. You can hand the card back at SAR voluntarily.

Travel, pets and language

How to get there
No common border: travel via Romania (or Moldova). Buses Kyiv/Odesa–Sofia/Varna (FlixBus and Ukrainian carriers); trains with changes via Romania, then the daily BDZ train Bucharest–Ruse–Sofia; by car across the Danube at Ruse or via Durankulak (e-vignette needed). No flights from Ukraine.
Pets
EU rules (the pet usually enters the EU in Romania): microchip, rabies vaccination, antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before travel, health certificate or EU pet passport. If something is missing, notify the regional food safety directorate (BFSA) within 72 hours of settling and keep the animal isolated until it complies.
Languages
Bulgarian (Cyrillic, close to Ukrainian); older people often understand Russian, English is common in tourism and IT. Free courses: IOM online A1–B2 (if your card was issued within the last 12 months), NGO and municipal courses; schools give children extra Bulgarian lessons.

Work, healthcare and education

Right to work
Yes, no permit needed — the protection card is enough; self-employment is allowed. The Labour Office (Employment Agency) helps with job search and courses; diplomas are recognised via NACID, doctors and nurses must pass a Bulgarian professional-language exam.
Jobs in demand
Doctors and nurses; food-processing, woodworking and garment workers (EURES, 2024); seasonal jobs in tourism and hospitality (May–September, ski resorts December–February), construction, logistics, IT.
Healthcare
Same rights in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as Bulgarians. The state pays contributions for children under 18, women 63+ and men 65+ for the whole protection; for other adults only for the first 90 days — then the employer or you pay (€24.81/month from 1.08.2026). If more than 3 payments are missed within 36 months, cover stops until the arrears (up to 5 years) are paid.
Kindergarten
State and municipal kindergartens have charged no fees since 2022, but places in big cities are scarce; pre-school education is compulsory from age 4. Apply through the municipality or the Regional Education Office; vaccinations and medical tests are required.
School
Yes, free in state and municipal schools up to grade 12, including state exams; compulsory from 7 to 16. Apply to the Regional Education Office (RUO); the child needs a personal number (LNCh) and a vaccination record. Extra Bulgarian lessons are provided.

Benefits

Housing support
No rent subsidy. State programme (since 1.05.2025): free housing in state or municipal sites or hotels once for 60 days, via the Elhovo transit centre; vulnerable people (65+, disability, pregnancy, carers of the seriously ill, parents with young children) for the whole protection. On 24.07.2026 the Supreme Administrative Court struck down the restrictions for families with children. IOM helps some vulnerable families with rent for up to 6 months.
One-time payment
No general payment; UNHCR's cash programme has ended. One-off social assistance of up to €1,171.89 (2026) only in a proven emergency; IOM pays €245 once to vulnerable families whose card was issued less than 12 months ago.
Monthly allowance for adults
No special allowance. Means-tested monthly social assistance from the Social Assistance Directorate at your registered address (those able to work must do 40 hours of community work a month) and heating aid (apply 1 July–31 October).
Monthly allowance for children
In practice the Social Assistance Agency refuses monthly child benefits to protection holders, although courts have ruled this unlawful in over 760 cases (AIDA, 2025). A refusal can be appealed with free legal help (FAR, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee).

Cost of living

Average rent
Approx., 1-bedroom flat per month (Nov 2026): Sofia €700 in the centre / €525 outside; Varna €570 / €425; Burgas €515 / €405 (Numbeo, user data).
Groceries per person per month
~$460/month per person on food in Sofia (livingcost.org, 2026, partly user data).
Kindergarten fees
Private kindergarten approx. €720/month in Sofia (€600–1,000), €450 in Varna, €200 in Burgas (Numbeo, Nov 2026, user data).
Private school fees
Public school free; international schools approx. €13,000/year in Sofia (€8,700–24,400), €7,200 in Varna (Numbeo, Nov 2026, user data).
Health insurance cost
Paying the NHIF contribution yourself: €24.81/month (from 1.08.2026; 8% of €310.10); doctor visits then cost only a small user fee. Private policies: —.
Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.

If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.