Due to the war that started in Ukraine on 24.02.2022 and the many Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Bulgaria, as well as the many inquiries related to their registration and accommodation, please note the following:
The protection provided by the Republic of Bulgaria to foreigners includes refuge, international protection and temporary protection.
International protection includes refugee status and humanitarian status, which are both granted by decision of the President of the State Agency for Refugees under the Council of Ministers (SAR).
To obtain such status, one must apply to the SAR officials at the Council of Ministers or to another government body. The application in Ukrainian can be found here [1].
You need to personally appear at one of the following SAR Registration and Reception Centers for your application to be registered for international protection:
- Sofia, Registration Reception Centre – Sofia, Ovcha Kupel, 21A “Montevideo” Str. [2]
- Registration and reception centre in the village of Banya with address: village of Banya, municipality Nova Zagora, district Mineralni Bani 17
- Registration and reception centre – Harmanli with address: Harmalni, Druzhba 23
Children under the age of 18 may also request protection. If the children are unaccompanied, they shall be granted immediate protection by the State Agency for Child Protection.
It is important to note that the humanitarian and refugee statuses described above do not provide the opportunity to work and individuals are not provided with a free medical option until the procedure is completed (which is up to 21 months). The mechanism for granting temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens in Bulgaria is currently being established and this protection will provide the opportunity to work and to receive free emergency medical care. Keep an eye on our website for up-to-date information on the granting of temporary protection.