Legal status of Ukrainians in Bulgaria: temporary protection

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After arriving in Bulgaria, citizens of Ukraine can:

1. Live in Bulgaria as tourists on the basis of a visa-free regime for 90 days within a 180-day period.

2. Obtain the status of temporary protection.

Temporary protection will be provided in Bulgaria, in particular, to the following persons:

· citizens of Ukraine who lived in Ukraine until February 24, 2022 and their family members;

· citizens of other third countries (except Ukraine) and stateless persons who used the right to international protection or another equivalent form of national protection in Ukraine until February 24, 2022 and their family members;

· persons with foreign citizenship or without citizenship who left the territory of Ukraine as a result of hostilities, entered and stayed in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, if they declare it.

The procedure takes from 5 to 15 minutes and temporary protection is provided immediately.

Temporary protection is granted after a verbal request to the border police, the State Agency for Refugees or other authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (migration, police), for people who meet the abovementioned conditions.

From the moment of receiving temporary protection, a person has the following rights:

1) the right to stay on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

2) the right to written information in an understandable language about the rules and conditions of temporary protection;

3) the right to the registration card of a foreigner who has been granted temporary protection;

4) the right to family reunification;

5) the right to work and professional training;

6) the right to education for pupils and the right to access to kindergarten for children under the age of 6;

7) the right to appropriate housing, if necessary;

8) the right to social aid;

9) the right to medical aid in emergency situations;

10) people from vulnerable groups have the right to full medical care as citizens of Bulgaria.

After registration, the applicant receives the document "Registration card of a foreigner who has been granted temporary protection", which contains a photo, profile data and a foreigner's personal number.

Currently, the period of validity of temporary protection in Bulgaria has been extended until March 4, 2024.

3. Submit an application for international protection.

Getting the status of temporary protection does not deprive a person of the right to apply for refugee status.

If a citizen of Ukraine wishes to submit an individual application for international protection (in the form of individual refugee status or individual humanitarian status), he/she can do this by contacting the State Agency for Refugees.

At the same time, it should be kept in mind that the procedure takes at least 3 months.

A foreigner who has been granted refugee status acquires the rights and obligations of a Bulgarian citizen, with the exception of:

– the right to participate in national and local elections, national and local referendum, as well as to participate in the creation or be a member of political parties;

– the right to hold positions for which Bulgarian citizenship is required by law;

– the right to serve in the army;

– other restrictions expressly stipulated by law.

A foreigner who has been granted humanitarian status acquires the rights and obligations of a foreigner who has a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria.

More information: https://refugee.bg/en/general-information-on-the-rights-and-obligations-of-holders-of-international-protection/.