Bulgaria: Information for stateless people and those at risk of statelessness fleeing Ukraine
Rights upon recognition
international protection is made and resumed if international protection is
refused
No automatic right to reside; possibility to apply for a one-year renewable
residence permit if general requirements met, including paying a fee of 500
BGN (250 EUR) and providing proof of subsistence, accommodation and
medical insurance; residence permit protects from detention but does not
grant access to other rights (e.g. right to work or access healthcare); access to
education only for people who hold a residence permit; right to apply for
permanent residence after five years of continuous residence; holders of a
long-term or permanent residence permit are issued travel documents (for
three months to two years), and may apply for naturalisation after three years
(subject to fee)
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONWARD TRAVEL TO THIRD COUNTRIES
Asylum seekers may not leave Bulgaria during the international protection procedure. Stateless people with a
travel document may travel abroad. Refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian status with a travel document
may also travel abroad, but not to the country of persecution. Beneficiaries of temporary protection may travel
to other EU Member States for 90 days within a 180-day period.
5. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Health insurance for beneficiaries of temporary protection is covered by the state budget during the first 90
days. For children under 18 years, women over 63 years, or men over 65 years, health insurance is covered
by the state budget for the duration of temporary protection.
6. ORGANISATIONS ASSISTING STATELESS PEOPLE
Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR)
http://farbg.eu/
www.statelessness.bg / www.migrantlife.bg
office@farbg.eu
UNHCR Bulgaria
https://www.unhcr.org/bg/91-bgkakvo-pravimniezakrila-na-licata-bez-grazhdanstvo-html.html
State Agency for Refugees (SAR)
https://aref.government.bg/bg
Hotline: +359 876 388 427 and +359 876 388 437
Bulgaria for Ukraine, Government’s portal
https://ukraine.gov.bg/
029055555 and +380322465075
Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
https://www.bghelsinki.org/en/
Legal protection of refugees and migrants:
029813318 and 029802049
London, United Kingdom
Media: +44 7522 525673
info@statelessness.eu
www.statelessness.eu
The European Network on Statelessness is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England. Charity Number 1158414.