Bulgaria: Information for stateless people and those at
risk of statelessness fleeing Ukraine
ENS Focal Point: Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR)
Last updated: 12 June 2022
This briefing provides country-specific information for stateless people and those at risk of statelessness
fleeing Ukraine. It is intended as a source of information for refugee response actors and affected
individuals. The focus is on stateless people and people at risk of statelessness, including those who are
undocumented. Links to more general information for refugees from Ukraine are provided throughout. We
will endeavour to keep this information updated. Please contact Ukraine.crisis@statelessness.eu if you
have relevant updates. Unless otherwise shown, the source of information provided is the ENS Focal Point.
1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & REGISTRATION
Most people fleeing Ukraine enter Bulgaria from Romania using the Durankulak border crossing, where they
can also apply for temporary protection. Bulgarian Red Cross staff are present to support arrivals. People
fleeing the war in Ukraine may register at registration points (e.g., police stations, border crossings, and
Migration Directorate offices) and receive temporary protection. The European Commission confirms that a
lack of travel documents or medical documents (certificate of vaccination, COVID-19 test) should not be an
obstacle to entering the EU throughout the Ukraine crisis.
Stateless people and those at risk of statelessness may enter Bulgaria upon application for temporary
protection, if eligible. People not eligible for temporary protection will be subject to the general requirements
under the Law on Foreigners, and may apply for international protection or statelessness status (see Section
2). For more information about entry and registration, including on registration points, see the Government’s
portal Bulgaria for Ukraine and FAQs in BG/UA/EN/RU.
Documents
required
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Entry and
registration
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Documents
issued
Entry status
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Adults: passport, identity card, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.
Children: similar documents, any other document proving the identity of the child
Recognised stateless persons: if status has been recognised by an EU Member State,
travel document issued by an EU Member State; if status has been recognised by a
non-EU Member State (including Ukraine), travel document and visa, although visa not
required if the person applies for international protection
Other stateless persons and undocumented persons: people fleeing Ukraine may enter
Bulgaria with other documents (e.g. expired passport, birth certificate, other
documents that indicate identity including membership cards, employment records, or
bank cards); or without any documents (exceptionally and after an inspection by
Border Police officers)
Legal obligation to register address at local police station within 3 days, unless the
person applies for temporary or international protection
Persons eligible for temporary protection: may be asked to apply for temporary
protection at the border to access government-provided housing
Persons not eligible for temporary protection: must apply for international protection
at the border
Unaccompanied children: allowed entry regardless of documents; adults
accompanying the child who are not parent or guardian are verified and must submit a
declaration of care to the Child Protection Department upon arrival; children may
register for temporary protection.
Registration cards for beneficiaries of temporary protection
Asylum seekers: registration card for a person seeking international protection
Visitor, beneficiary of temporary protection, asylum seeker