Bulgaria Foreigners Act: full English translation (2026)

Reflects the redenomination of 05.07.1999.

Promulgated, SG No. 153 of 23 December 1998, amended, SG No. 70 of 6 August 1999, amended, SG No. 42 of 27 April 2001, amended, SG No. 112 of 29 December 2001, amended, SG No. 45 of 30 April 2002, amended, SG No. 54 of 31 May 2002, amended, SG No. 37 of 22 April 2003, amended, SG No. 103 of 25 November 2003, amended, SG No. 37 of 4 May 2004, amended, SG No. 70 of 10 August 2004, amended, SG No. 11 of 1 February 2005, amended, SG No. 63 of 2 August 2005, amended, SG No. 88 of 4 November 2005, amended, SG No. 30 of 11 April 2006, amended, SG No. 82 of 10 October 2006, amended, SG No. 11 of 2 February 2007, amended, SG No. 29 of 6 April 2007, amended, SG No. 52 of 29 June 2007, amended, SG No. 63 of 3 August 2007, amended, SG No. 109 of 20 December 2007, amended, SG No. 13 of 8 February 2008, amended, SG No. 26 of 7 March 2008, amended, SG No. 28 of 14 March 2008, amended, SG No. 69 of 5 August 2008, amended, SG No. 12 of 13 February 2009, amended, SG No. 32 of 28 April 2009, amended, SG No. 36 of 15 May 2009, amended, SG No. 74 of 15 September 2009, amended, SG No. 82 of 16 October 2009, amended, SG No. 93 of 24 November 2009, amended, SG No. 103 of 29 December 2009, amended, SG No. 73 of 17 September 2010, amended, SG No. 9 of 28 January 2011, amended, SG No. 43 of 7 June 2011, supplemented, SG No. 21 of 13 March 2012, amended, SG No. 44 of 12 June 2012, amended and supplemented, SG No. 16 of 19 February 2013, amended and supplemented, SG No. 23 of 8 March 2013, amended, SG No. 52 of 14 June 2013, amended, SG No. 68 of 2 August 2013, amended and supplemented, SG No. 70 of 9 August 2013, amended and supplemented, SG No. 108 of 17 December 2013, amended, SG No. 53 of 27 June 2014, amended and supplemented, SG No. 14 of 20 February 2015, amended, SG No. 79 of 13 October 2015, amended and supplemented, SG No. 80 of 16 October 2015, amended, SG No. 15 of 23 February 2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 33 of 26 April 2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97 of 6 December 2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 101 of 20 December 2016, supplemented, SG No. 103 of 27 December 2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97 of 5 December 2017, supplemented, SG No. 14 of 13 February 2018, amended and supplemented, SG No. 24 of 16 March 2018, amended, SG No. 56 of 6 July 2018, amended, SG No. 77 of 18 September 2018, amended, SG No. 1 of 3 January 2019, amended, SG No. 24 of 22 March 2019, amended and supplemented, SG No. 34 of 23 April 2019, supplemented, SG No. 58 of 23 July 2019, amended, SG No. 101 of 27 December 2019, amended, SG No. 17 of 25 February 2020, supplemented, SG No. 28 of 24 March 2020, amended, SG No. 44 of 13 May 2020, amended, SG No. 60 of 7 July 2020, amended, SG No. 89 of 16 October 2020, amended and supplemented, SG No. 98 of 17 November 2020, amended and supplemented, SG No. 21 of 12 March 2021, amended, SG No. 22 of 18 March 2022, amended and supplemented, SG No. 8 of 25 January 2023, amended and supplemented, SG No. 67 of 4 August 2023, amended and supplemented, SG No. 39 of 1 May 2024, amended, SG No. 79 of 17 September 2024, amended and supplemented, SG No. 52 of 27 June 2025, amended, SG No. 55 of 16 June 2026.

Chapter One. General provisions

Art. 1. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) This Act lays down the terms and procedure under which foreign nationals may enter, reside in and leave the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) This Act shall also apply to family members of a Bulgarian citizen who are not nationals of a Member State of the European Union, or of a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or of the Swiss Confederation.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 34/2019) The terms and procedure under which nationals of other Member States of the European Union and their family members, as well as nationals of States party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and of the Swiss Confederation and their family members, enter, reside in and leave the Republic of Bulgaria shall be laid down by the Act on the Entry, Residence and Exit of the Republic of Bulgaria of EU Citizens and Their Family Members.

Art. 2. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 36/2009) A foreign national within the meaning of this Act shall be any person who is not a Bulgarian citizen.

(2) (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) A foreign national shall also be a stateless person, being a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2017) Family members of a foreign national shall be the persons who live with him or her in a single household and are:

1. a spouse;

2. children of the foreign national and of his or her spouse, including adopted children, who have not reached the age of 18 and are unmarried;

3. children, including adopted children, of the foreign national who have not reached the age of 18 and are unmarried, where he or she holds parental rights and the children are dependent on him or her;

4. children, including adopted children, of the spouse who have not reached the age of 18 and are unmarried, where he or she holds parental rights and the children are dependent on him or her.

(4) (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended and supplemented, SG No. 23/2013) Unmarried children of the foreign national or of his or her spouse who have reached the age of 18 shall also be considered family members where serious health reasons require personal care to be provided to them or where, for such reasons, they are objectively unable to provide for their own maintenance.

(5) (New, SG No. 9/2011) Where the foreign national already has a spouse living with him or her in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, family reunification with another spouse shall not be permitted.

(6) (Former para. 2, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 23/2013, supplemented, SG No. 34/2019) Family members of a Bulgarian citizen within the meaning of this Act shall be the persons who live with him or her in a single household and are:

1. a spouse;

2. descendants, including where they are descendants only of the person under item 1, who have not reached the age of twenty-one and are unmarried;

3. descendants, including where they are descendants only of the person under item 1, who have reached the age of twenty-one but have no income of their own because they are unable to provide for their own maintenance or because serious health reasons require the Bulgarian citizen to provide personal care to them;

4. (amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 34/2019) ascendants of the Bulgarian citizen or of the person under item 1;

5. (amended, SG No. 23/2013) other members of his or her household who were fully dependent on him or her in their country of origin or in their country of habitual residence, or where serious health reasons require the Bulgarian citizen to provide personal care to them.

Art. 3. (1) Foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria shall have all rights and obligations under Bulgarian law and the ratified international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, except for those for which Bulgarian citizenship is required.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) The generally recognised rules of international diplomatic and consular law and the international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party shall apply to foreign nationals accredited as members of foreign diplomatic and consular missions, as well as of representations of international organisations in the Republic of Bulgaria, who enjoy immunities and privileges.

Art. 4. Foreign nationals residing in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be obliged to comply with the laws and the established legal order, to be loyal to the Bulgarian State and not to undermine the prestige and dignity of the Bulgarian people.

Art. 5. (Repealed, SG No. 29/2007)

Art. 6. (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) Foreign nationals present in territory under the sovereignty of the Republic of Bulgaria shall bear civil, administrative and criminal liability in the same way as Bulgarian citizens, unless otherwise provided for by a special law, an international treaty or the rules of customary international law.

Art. 7. (Amended, SG No. 54/2002, effective 01.12.2002, amended, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) The terms and procedure for granting protection to foreign nationals in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall be laid down by a special law.

Art. 7a. (New, SG No. 97/2017, effective 06.06.2018) Unaccompanied minors shall be represented in proceedings under this Act by the Social Assistance Directorate at their place of residence.

Art. 7b. (New, SG No. 34/2019) (1) A right of residence for foreign national children under the age of 18 shall be granted subject to the joint consent of the parents. Where there is no joint consent of the parents, the dispute between them shall be decided by the district court at the child’s place of residence.

(2) The court proceedings under para. 1 shall be instituted upon an application by one of the parents. The court shall hear the other parent unless he or she fails to appear without good cause. The court may also collect evidence of its own motion.

(3) In the cases under para. 2, in all proceedings the court shall notify the Social Assistance Directorate at the child’s place of residence, the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code applying to the notification.

(4) The Social Assistance Directorate shall submit an opinion to the court containing: an assessment of the wishes and feelings of the child; the physical, psychological and emotional needs of the child; the danger or harm that has been caused or is likely to be caused to the child; the ability of the parents to care for the child; the consequences that a change of circumstances will have for the child; other circumstances relevant to the child.

(5) The court shall issue a judgment substituting the missing consent of one of the parents or dismissing the request. The court may allow provisional enforcement of the judgment. The court’s judgment shall be subject to appeal under the procedure of the Civil Procedure Code.

(6) Where proceedings for the granting of a right of residence have been instituted, they shall be stayed until the court rules finally on the application under para. 2.

(7) Upon receipt of the final judgment of the court, the Migration Directorate and the Migration departments/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall take a decision on granting a right of residence, verifying of their own motion the other documents and circumstances relating to the legal status of the child.

Chapter Two. Entry and airport transit

(title amended, SG No. 29/2007)

Art. 8. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) A foreign national may enter the Republic of Bulgaria if he or she holds a valid passport or a substitute travel document, as well as a visa or a travel authorisation where such are required.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 52/2025) A visa shall not be required where so provided for in Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, in other binding acts of the EU, in an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, or in an act of the Council of Ministers.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 52/2025) A visa shall also not be required where the foreign national holds a valid permit for extended, long-term or permanent residence in a Member State.

(4) (New, SG No. 8/2023) No visa, work permit or other permit, other than an EU Blue Card permit, shall be required where a foreign national holding a valid EU Blue Card permit issued by a Member State of the European Union that applies the Schengen acquis in full enters and resides in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(5) (New, SG No. 9/2011, former para. 4, SG No. 8/2023) After an application for family reunification has been accepted and approved, visas shall be issued to the family members under a facilitated procedure on terms and under a procedure laid down by an act of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 8a. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) A foreign national who is a family member of a Bulgarian citizen may enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a passport, as well as with a visa or a travel authorisation where such are required. The visa shall be issued on terms and under a procedure laid down by the Council of Ministers, without payment of fees for the processing of the documents and the issuance of the visa.

(2) A visa shall not be required where a foreign national who is a family member of a Bulgarian citizen holds a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen issued in:

1. the Republic of Bulgaria, if the grounds for its issuance have not ceased to exist;

2. another Member State of the European Union, if he or she is accompanying or joining the Bulgarian citizen.

(3) (Repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

(4) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 77/2018, effective 01.01.2019) The border control authorities shall not allow entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of a person who claims to be a family member of a Bulgarian citizen but has not proved this within a reasonable time by a document under para. 2 or by another proper document. The refusal shall state reasons and shall be subject to appeal under the procedure of Art. 46.

Art. 9. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) A visa is an authorisation for entry and stay or for airport transit.

Art. 9a. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

(2) The types of visas are:

1. airport transit visa (type “A” visa);

2. (repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

3. (supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) short-stay visa (type “C” visa), which is a uniform visa within the meaning of Article 2(3) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) (OJ L 243/1 of 15 September 2009), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009”;

4. long-stay visa (type “D” visa);

5. (new, SG No. 52/2025) visa with limited territorial validity within the meaning of Article 2(4) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 103/2009, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

(4) (Repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

(5) (New, SG No. 103/2009, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

Art. 9b. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) A visa shall be issued by personalising a visa sticker in the uniform format of the European Union.

(2) The data entered in the visa sticker may not be altered.

Art. 9c. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The visa sticker shall be affixed in a valid passport or in a valid substitute travel document recognised by the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) Where the foreign national holds a passport or a substitute travel document that is not recognised by the Republic of Bulgaria, the visa sticker may be affixed to a separate sheet for affixing a visa in the uniform format of the European Union, approved by an act of the Council of Ministers.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 93/2009, effective 25.12.2009, supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, shall maintain and update a list of the travel documents for travel abroad issued by States, international organisations and other subjects of public international law in which a visa sticker may be affixed and which entitle the foreign national to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The terms and procedure for coordinating the national position of the Republic of Bulgaria on the recognition or non-recognition of travel documents shall be laid down by an act of the Council of Ministers.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The terms and procedure for the printing, storage, affixing, cancellation, rejection as defective and destruction of visa stickers and of the separate sheets for affixing a visa shall be laid down by an act of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 9d. (New, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 97/2016) (1) Officials authorised by the head of the relevant structure in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad and in the border control authorities may take decisions on the issuance, refusal, annulment and revocation of visas, and those in the services for administrative control of foreign nationals may take decisions on the annulment and revocation of visas, on terms and under a procedure laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(2) In compliance with the procedure established in the Republic of Bulgaria International Treaties Act, bilateral and multilateral representation agreements may be concluded for the receipt and processing of visa applications and for the exchange of personal data in connection therewith.

(3) The Minister of Foreign Affairs or an official authorised by him or her may conclude a cooperation agreement with an external service provider for representation in the receipt and processing of visa applications and the processing of personal data in compliance with the provisions on personal data protection, on terms and under a procedure laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(4) Diplomatic and consular missions may cooperate with commercial intermediaries on the basis of an accreditation granted on terms and under a procedure laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1), for the receipt and processing of visa applications, except for the collection of biometric data.

Art. 9e. (New, SG No. 29/2007, amended and supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Visas shall be issued at the external borders in compliance with the provisions of Articles 35 and 36 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. The State Agency for National Security shall be notified immediately of the visas issued.

Art. 9f. (New, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 23/2013) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The terms and procedure for the issuance, refusal, annulment and revocation of visas and for determining the visa regime shall be laid down by an ordinance of the Council of Ministers.

(2) The terms and procedure for coordinating visa applications shall be laid down by an instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Interior and the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security.

Art. 9g. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 21/2021 (*)) To obtain a visa, the applicant shall submit a completed and signed application in the prescribed form, accompanied by documents proving the purpose of the journey. The visa application may also be submitted electronically by means of an electronically completed application in the prescribed form signed with a qualified electronic signature. The forms of visa applications shall be laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The time limits for submitting visa applications shall be laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(3) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) When the visa application is submitted, personal data, including biometric data, shall be collected and processed. The procedure for collecting the data shall be laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) The following applicants shall be exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints when submitting applications for airport transit visas and short-stay visas:

1. children under the age of 12;

2. persons from whom fingerprinting is physically impossible; if fingerprinting of fewer than 10 fingers is possible, the corresponding number of fingerprints shall be taken; if fingerprinting is temporarily impossible, the applicant shall be required to give fingerprints at the next application;

3. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) heads of State or Government and members of a national government with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegation, when they are invited by governments of Member States or by international organisations;

4. sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, when they are invited by governments of Member States or by international organisations for official purposes.

(5) (New, SG No. 97/2016) The following shall be exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints when submitting applications for long-stay visas:

1. children up to the age of 12;

2. persons from whom fingerprinting is physically impossible; where fingerprinting of fewer than 10 fingers is possible, the corresponding number of fingerprints shall be taken; where fingerprinting is temporarily impossible, the applicant shall be required to give fingerprints when submitting the next application;

3. persons appointed as heads of diplomatic or consular missions accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria, or as heads of representations of international organisations in the territory of the country, where this is provided for in an international treaty or on the basis of reciprocity;

4. members of the diplomatic staff of diplomatic missions and of the consular staff of consular posts accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria, where this is provided for in an international treaty or on the basis of reciprocity;

5. members of the staff of representations of international organisations in the territory of the country, where they enjoy diplomatic immunity by virtue of an international treaty.

(6) (Former para. 5, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) In addition to the authorities competent for issuing visas, the data from the Visa Information System may be used for the purposes of border control, the performance of the tasks of the central and national unit under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), administrative control of foreign nationals and the granting of asylum, as well as by the designated competent national authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria or of another Member State of the European Union for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist acts and of the offences specified in Art. 36(1) of the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant Act. The procedure for access to the data shall be laid down by an act of the Council of Ministers.

(7) (New, SG No. 23/2013, former para. 6, amended, SG No. 97/2016) The rules for working with the Visa Information System shall be laid down by an instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Art. 9h. (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) (1) Where the visa applicant has not presented a valid passport or a valid substitute travel document, or has refused to have biometric data collected, or the visa fee has not been paid, the visa application shall be inadmissible.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, the diplomatic or consular mission shall immediately return the application, the visa fee paid and the documents attached to the application, and shall destroy the biometric data collected.

(3) Before taking a decision on a visa application, the authorised officials shall be entitled to require visa applicants to provide additional data and documents by which they credibly substantiate the stated purpose of the journey, and shall be obliged to carry out the necessary checks of the data stated.

(4) By way of exception, where the requirements under para. 1 are not met, the application may be accepted as admissible where there are humanitarian reasons or where this is required by the national interest.

(5) An accepted visa application and the attached documents certifying the purpose of the journey shall not give rise to an obligation to issue a visa.

Art. 9i. (New, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) (1) A travel authorisation shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU) 2017/2226 (OJ L 236/1 of 19 September 2018), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2018/1240”.

(2) A travel authorisation shall be issued to:

1. foreign nationals listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 303/39 of 28 November 2018), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2018/1806”, who are exempt from the visa requirement for intended stays in the territory of the Member States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period;

2. foreign nationals whom the Republic of Bulgaria has exempted from the visa requirement under Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 for intended stays of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period;

3. foreign nationals who are family members of a Bulgarian citizen, who are exempt from the visa requirement and do not hold a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen or a residence permit under Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 conferring a right of residence in the territory of the country.

(3) A travel authorisation shall not be issued to the foreign nationals specified in Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

Art. 9j. (New, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) (1) Where the Republic of Bulgaria is determined under Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 as the Member State responsible for processing the application for a travel authorisation, the application shall be examined by the International Operational Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.

(2) The Director of the International Operational Cooperation Directorate or officials authorised by him or her shall take decisions on the issuance, refusal, annulment or revocation of the travel authorisation on the terms and under the procedure of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

(3) In accordance with Article 25a(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, for the purposes of examining the application for a travel authorisation, the Director of the International Operational Cooperation Directorate or officials authorised by him or her may obtain from the Central Criminal Records Bureau an electronic criminal record certificate of foreign nationals in respect of the offences listed in the annex referred to in Article 17(4)(a) of the Regulation.

(4) The refusal, annulment or revocation of the travel authorisation shall be issued in a standard form adopted by the European Commission and may be appealed before the Administrative Court of Sofia City on the terms and under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(5) A travel authorisation with limited territorial validity may be issued on humanitarian grounds or where this is required by the national interest or by the fulfilment of international obligations, if the application for its issuance has been accepted as admissible but the procedure for its processing under Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 has not yet been completed, or where there are grounds for refusal, annulment or revocation of the authorisation.

(6) Authorisations issued under para. 5 shall be valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or in the territories of other Member States where agreement to that effect has been reached in accordance with Article 44 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

Art. 9k. (New, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) (1) In addition to the International Operational Cooperation Directorate, access to the ETIAS Information System shall be granted to:

1. the border control authorities when carrying out border checks at border crossing points in accordance with Articles 47 and 48 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240;

2. the Migration Directorate and the Migration units at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, for consultation or verification in accordance with Article 49 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of whether the conditions for entry and stay are fulfilled, or where it is necessary to provide data to a third country for the purposes of return in accordance with Article 65(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

(2) Access to the ETIAS Information System through the International Operational Cooperation Directorate in connection with the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences specified in Art. 36(3) of the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant Act shall be granted to:

1. the Chief Directorate National Police;

2. the Chief Directorate Combating Organised Crime;

3. the Chief Directorate Border Police;

4. the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior;

5. the State Agency for National Security;

6. the Customs Agency;

7. the Military Police Service;

8. the judicial authorities.

(3) Access to the ETIAS Information System shall be granted by the International Operational Cooperation Directorate on the terms and under the procedure of Articles 51 and 52 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 on the basis of a reasoned request, in written or electronic form, by officers authorised by the heads of the structures under para. 2.

(4) In cases of urgency, where it is necessary to prevent an imminent danger to the life of a person associated with a terrorist offence or other serious criminal offence, the International Operational Cooperation Directorate shall process the request immediately, and the verification of the conditions under Article 52 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 shall be carried out within 7 days of receipt of the request.

(5) The authorities under paras. 1 and 2 shall adopt and apply internal rules for effective control over the authorised persons having a right of access to the ETIAS Information System.

(6) The International Operational Cooperation Directorate, the Chief Directorate Border Police and the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall keep, in accordance with the requirements of Article 69(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, records of the officers duly authorised to enter and retrieve data from the ETIAS Information System.

(7) The International Operational Cooperation Directorate shall record, in accordance with the requirements of Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, all data processing operations resulting from the requests made for access to the ETIAS Information System.

Art. 9l. (New, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) (1) Upon entry into and exit from the Republic of Bulgaria, the border control authorities shall enter in the Entry/Exit System (EES), in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011 (OJ L 327/20 of 9 December 2017), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2017/2226”, data on foreign nationals who:

1. are admitted for a short stay in the territory of the Member States and are subject to border checks in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 77/1 of 23 March 2016);

2. are family members of a Bulgarian citizen and do not hold a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen or a residence permit under Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 conferring a right of residence in the territory of the country.

(2) Data on foreign nationals who have been refused entry in accordance with Article 14 of the Schengen Borders Code shall also be entered in the EES.

(3) No data shall be recorded in the EES on the foreign nationals specified in Article 2(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

(4) In addition to the competent border control authorities, access to the EES for the purpose of entering, amending, deleting and consulting data shall be granted to:

1. consular officers at missions abroad competent for the issuance, annulment and revocation of visas, authorised by order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

2. officers of the National Visa Centre at the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorised by order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

3. officers of the Migration Directorate authorised by order of the Director of the Migration Directorate, and officers of the Migration units at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior authorised by order of the directors of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior;

4. officers authorised by order of the Director of the International Operational Cooperation Directorate;

5. officers authorised by order of the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security who perform functions under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act.

(5) The officers under para. 4, items 1, 2, 3 and 5 shall be granted access to search the EES for the purpose of issuing, extending, annulling or revoking visas directly through the EES using the data specified in Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

(6) The officers under para. 4, item 3 who are authorised to carry out checks within the territory of the country as to compliance with the conditions for entry and stay shall be granted access to the data under Articles 26 and 27 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 from an automated workstation connected to the EES for the purpose of verifying or establishing the identity of a foreign national and/or verifying whether the conditions for entry and stay have been fulfilled.

(7) The officers under para. 4, item 4 may consult the data in the EES in read-only mode for the purposes of the issuance, refusal, annulment or revocation of the travel authorisation.

(8) The authorities under para. 4 shall create and keep, in accordance with the requirements of Article 46(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, records of the officers duly authorised to process data in the EES.

Art. 9m. (New, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) (1) Access to data in the EES through the central access points in connection with the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences specified in Art. 36(3) of the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant Act shall be granted to:

1. the Chief Directorate National Police;

2. the Chief Directorate Combating Organised Crime;

3. the Chief Directorate Border Police;

4. the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior;

5. the International Operational Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Interior;

6. the State Agency for National Security;

7. the Customs Agency;

8. the Military Police Service;

9. the judicial authorities.

(2) Access to the data shall be granted by the central access points on the terms and under the procedure of Articles 31 and 32 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 on the basis of a reasoned request, in written or electronic form, by officers authorised by the heads of the structures under para. 1.

(3) In cases of urgency, where it is necessary to prevent an imminent danger to the life of a person associated with a terrorist offence or other serious criminal offence, the central access points shall process the request immediately, and the verification of the conditions under Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall be carried out within 7 days of receipt of the request.

(4) The central access points shall record, in accordance with the requirements of Article 59 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, all data processing operations resulting from the requests made for access to the EES.

Art. 10. (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) A visa or entry into the country shall be refused to a foreign national where he or she:

1. (supplemented, SG No. 29/2007, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) by his or her actions has endangered or may endanger the international relations, the security or the interests of the Bulgarian State, or where there is information that he or she is acting against national security;

1a. (new, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) is the subject of information that he or she commits, incites, participates in the preparation of, supports or trains for the commission of terrorist activity, or that the purpose of his or her entry is to use the country as a transit point to a third country in whose territory to carry out such acts;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) by his or her actions has discredited the Bulgarian State or has undermined the prestige and dignity of the Bulgarian people, or his or her entry into the country may harm the relations of the Republic of Bulgaria with another State;

3. (amended, SG No. 11/2007, supplemented, SG No. 73/2010, effective 17.09.2010, supplemented, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) is the subject of information that he or she is a member of a criminal group or organisation, or that he or she carries out or intends to carry out smuggling of and illicit trade in weapons, explosives, ammunition, pyrotechnic articles, strategic raw materials, dual-use items and technologies, as well as illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors and in raw materials for their production;

4. is the subject of information that he or she engages in trafficking in human beings and in the illegal bringing of persons into the country and taking of persons out to other States;

5. was expelled from the Republic of Bulgaria not less than 10 years ago and has not reimbursed, within 6 months of the expulsion, the costs incurred by the State for it;

6. (amended, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) has been convicted of an intentional offence committed in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or of another Member State of the European Union which under Bulgarian law is punishable by deprivation of liberty of not less than one year, unless he or she has been rehabilitated;

7. (amended, SG No. 29/2007) has attempted to enter or transit through the country using false or forged documents, a visa or a residence permit;

8. may be presumed to be likely to spread a serious infectious disease, suffers from a disease which according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization constitutes a threat to public health, or does not hold a vaccination certificate, or comes from an area with an aggravated epidemic or epizootic situation;

9. does not have secured means of subsistence and the necessary compulsory insurance for the period of his or her stay in the country and means ensuring his or her return;

10. (amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) is the subject of information that during the last 5 years he or she has violated the border, passport and visa, foreign exchange or customs regime of the Republic of Bulgaria;

11. during a previous stay has violated the labour or tax legislation of the country;

12. does not have visas or tickets for the next countries on the route;

13. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) is subject to a coercive administrative measure prohibiting entry into the country;

14. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 9/2011) is included in the database of foreign nationals undesirable for the country under Art. 21a(1);

15. (new, SG No. 42/2001, repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

16. (new, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 97/2016) applies for a visa with an invalid passport or substitute travel document;

17. (new, SG No. 9/2011, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) fails to prove credibly the purpose and conditions of the intended stay or transit, or airport transit;

18. (new, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 67/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) has already stayed in the territory of the Member States for 90 days within the last 180 days as the holder of a uniform short-stay visa or under a visa-free regime for short stays;

18a. (new, SG No. 67/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) as the holder of a long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by a Member State, has already stayed for 90 days within the last 180 days in the territory of other Member States;

19. (new, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 67/2023) is a person in respect of whom an alert has been issued in the Schengen Information System for the purpose of refusal of entry and stay;

20. (new, SG No. 9/2011) during a previous stay in the country systematically committed breaches of public order;

21. (new, SG No. 9/2011) is the subject of information that the purpose of entry is to reside in the country as an immigrant without having special authorisation for this;

22. (new, SG No. 9/2011) is the subject of information that the purpose of his or her entry is to use the country as a transit point for migration to a third country;

23. (new, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011) has submitted a document with false content or has declared false data;

24. (new, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) there are reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of the supporting documents submitted for the issuance of a visa, the veracity of their contents, the reliability of the statements made by the foreign national or his or her intention to leave the country within the authorised period of stay;

25. (new, SG No. 97/2016) is subject to a coercive administrative measure under Art. 41, unless voluntary return has been allowed;

26. (new, SG No. 21/2021) has been convicted in the State of which he or she is a national or in the State of his or her habitual residence of an intentional publicly prosecutable offence for which, under Bulgarian legislation, the same type of offence is punishable by deprivation of liberty of at least one year, unless he or she has been rehabilitated;

27. (new, SG No. 67/2023) is subject to a restrictive measure imposed by a legal act of the Council of the European Union for the purpose of preventing entry into and transit through the territory of the Member States, including a measure implementing a travel ban imposed by the United Nations Security Council;

28. (new, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) refuses to provide biometric data, where such are required for the creation of an individual file in the EES or for carrying out border checks, unless he or she is exempt from that requirement under Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

29. (new, SG No. 52/2025) does not hold a travel authorisation where one is required.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) In the cases under para. 1, a visa may be issued or entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria may be allowed on humanitarian grounds or where this is required by the national interest or by the fulfilment of international obligations.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011, repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

Art. 10a. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) Refusals to issue a visa may be appealed under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code as regards their lawfulness.

(2) When taking a decision to refuse to issue a visa, the authorised officials shall be obliged to notify the visa applicant in writing of the legal basis and of the reasons for the decision.

(3) The reasons for refusals to issue visas under Art. 10(1), items 1 – 3, as well as where disclosure of the data and circumstances on the basis of which the decision was taken affects or could directly affect the foreign policy and international relations of the Republic of Bulgaria or national security, shall be stated in a separate document drawn up by the respective competent authorities. Where that document contains classified information, it shall be drawn up under the procedure of the Classified Information Protection Act.

(4) Refusals to issue visas under Art. 9a(2), item 4 shall not be subject to judicial appeal, except where the person claims an infringement of fundamental rights and freedoms under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Art. 11. (Supplemented, SG No. 29/2007, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

Art. 12. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) An airport transit visa may be issued to a foreign national who intends to arrive by aircraft from one country and stays in the international transit area of an airport in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in order to continue his or her journey on the next connecting flight to another country.

(2) A foreign national travelling on an airport transit visa shall be deemed not to have been admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Art. 13. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 29/2007, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

Art. 14. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 9/2011) (1) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021) A short-stay visa may be issued to a foreign national who intends to transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or to stay for a short term in its territory for a period of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) A short-stay visa for the purpose of transit shall entitle the holder to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and to leave it within up to 48 hours on the way from one country to another country, unless provisions of an international treaty or of European Union law which are in force and applied by the Republic of Bulgaria provide otherwise.

(3) (Repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) A short-stay visa may have a period of validity of up to 5 years and may be issued for a single, double or multiple entry.

(5) (New, SG No. 21/2021) A short-stay visa may be issued for multiple entry and with a period of validity of up to 5 years where the foreign national:

1. holds a valid travel document entitling him or her to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, which was issued within the last 10 years and is valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, except in exceptional circumstances or for humanitarian reasons;

2. has justified the purpose and conditions of the planned stay and that he or she has sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the planned stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and for the return to his or her country of origin or for transit to a third country in which his or her admission is guaranteed, or that he or she is in a position to acquire such means lawfully.

(6) (New, SG No. 21/2021) Short-stay multiple-entry visas may be issued for the following periods of validity, unless the validity of the visa would exceed the validity of the travel document:

1. up to one year, provided that the foreign national has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the last two years;

2. up to two years, provided that within the last two years the foreign national has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for up to one year;

3. up to 5 years, provided that within the last three years the foreign national has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for up to two years; airport transit visas shall not be taken into account when issuing multiple-entry visas.

(7) (New, SG No. 21/2021) A multiple-entry visa with a period of validity of up to 5 years may also be issued to foreign nationals who justify their intention to travel regularly, provided that they prove their good faith and reliability and the lawful use of previous visas, their economic situation in the country of origin and their genuine intention to leave the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria before the expiry of the visa applied for.

(8) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, former para. 5, SG No. 21/2021) Notwithstanding the data declared in the visa application, on the basis of the results of the checks carried out and the risk assessment, the authorised officials shall have the right to set shorter periods of validity of the visa and of the duration of the authorised stay.

Art. 14a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, repealed, SG No. 103/2009, new, SG No. 97/2017) (1) A short-stay visa may also be issued to a foreign national who wishes to perform seasonal work under the conditions of Art. 24k.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, it shall be indicated on the visa sticker that it has been issued for the purposes of seasonal work.

Art. 15. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 21/2012, amended, SG No. 97/2016) A long-stay visa with a period of validity of up to 6 months and with a right of stay of up to 180 days may be issued to a foreign national who wishes to obtain a permit for extended, long-term or permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria on one of the grounds specified in this Act.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) A long-stay visa with a period of validity of up to one year and with a right of stay of up to 360 days may be issued where this is provided for in the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

(3) A long-stay visa shall entitle the holder to multiple entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria within its period of validity.

(4) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) The long-stay visa under para. 1 shall be cancelled upon the issue of a residence permit by the services for administrative control of foreign nationals, and upon the issue of a card under Art. 23a, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Art. 16. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) Holding a visa may not be the sole ground for entry into and stay in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) The border control authorities may refuse entry into the Republic of Bulgaria to a foreign national holding a visa in the cases under Art. 10(1) or upon non-fulfilment of the requirements of Art. 19.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 67/2023) The border control authorities shall serve on a foreign national who has been refused entry a uniform form according to the European Union model, stating the reasons for his or her non-admission to the territory of the country. Refusals of entry into the country may be appealed under the terms and procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(4) The border control authorities and the services for administrative control of foreign nationals may cancel an issued visa, reduce the number of authorised entries and the period of stay upon non-fulfilment of the requirements of this Act and under the procedure laid down by an act of the Council of Ministers. In such cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be notified immediately.

(5) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic and consular missions may cancel an issued visa, reduce the number of authorised entries or the period of stay upon non-fulfilment of the requirements of this Act and under a procedure laid down by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

Art. 17. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Foreign nationals shall enter the Republic of Bulgaria and leave its territory through the border checkpoints designated by an act of the Council of Ministers or by an international treaty, or through the internal borders.

(2) A foreign national who holds more than one personal document for travel abroad and identity, or who carries such documents of another person, shall be obliged to declare them to the border control authorities.

(3) A foreign national who holds more than one citizenship shall be obliged to declare to the border control authorities the citizenship on which he or she will rely during his or her stay in the Republic of Bulgaria, and to certify this with a valid document for travel abroad of the country whose citizenship he or she has declared.

(4) A foreign national who holds more than one valid document for travel abroad shall be obliged to leave the country with the document with which he or she entered.

(5) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended and supplemented, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) The border control authorities and the services for administrative control of foreign nationals may process biometric data for the purpose of verifying the claimed identity of the foreign national or establishing his or her actual identity. The border control authorities may process biometric data of persons whose entry or refusal of entry is subject to registration in the EES pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, for the purpose of creating an individual file.

(6) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) Upon entry into and exit from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the border control authorities shall affix a stamp in the passport or in the substitute travel document of the foreign national in accordance with Annex IV to the Schengen Borders Code.

Art. 18. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006) (1) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Upon entry into the Republic of Bulgaria, the foreign national shall declare the purpose of his or her visit and, within three days of entry, shall indicate in writing the address at which he or she will stay by filling in an address card in a form approved by the Minister of Interior, except in cases of organised tourism.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) Foreign nationals who are accredited as members of foreign diplomatic, consular and trade missions, as well as of missions of intergovernmental organisations in the Republic of Bulgaria, shall be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under terms and procedure laid down in an international treaty, in a law or in an act of the Council of Ministers.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) Foreign nationals transiting through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall not fill in address cards.

Art. 19. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) A foreign national who enters the Republic of Bulgaria or transits through its territory shall, depending on the purpose of the journey, hold:

1. (amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) a valid passport or a substitute travel document, as well as a visa or a travel authorisation, where such are required;

2. sufficient means to provide for his or her subsistence according to the duration and conditions of the stay in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as for return to the country of his or her permanent residence or for transit through the Republic of Bulgaria;

3. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) medical insurance and other insurance, where such are required;

4. an invitation in the prescribed form, where such is required;

5. (supplemented, SG No. 23/2013) other documents proving the purpose of the journey and the conditions of the planned stay.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The amount of the financial means under para. 1, item 2, the minimum sums insured and the insured risks covered under para. 1, item 3, the form of the invitation and the documents under para. 1, item 5 shall be determined by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

Art. 20. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 37/2003) (1) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) A carrier which transports foreign nationals by land, air or water to and/or from the Republic of Bulgaria shall be obliged, before performing the service, to establish:

1. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) the existence and validity of the travel document and of the visa, where one is required, and whether they contain obvious alterations, crossings-out, erasures, additions and the like in the data, traces of substitution of the photograph, and whether the image in the photograph allows the identity of the holder to be established;

2. the existence of visas for the country/countries which the persons wish to visit or through which they wish to pass, if such are required, in cases of airport transit or transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

3. (new, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) the existence of a valid travel authorisation, where one is required; the check shall be carried out through secure access to the carrier portal in accordance with Art. 45 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240;

4. (new, SG No. 67/2023 (*)) whether third-country nationals holding a single-entry or double-entry short-stay visa within the meaning of Art. 2, paragraph 2, letter (a) of the Visa Code have already used the number of entries authorised by the visa; the check shall be carried out through the web service referred to in Art. 13 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) Where a foreign national has been refused entry into the Republic of Bulgaria, the carrier which transported the foreign national shall be obliged, at the request of the border control authorities and at its own expense, to return him or her to the country from which he or she was transported, to the country which issued the travel document on which the foreign national arrived, or to another country in which he or she will be admitted. Where the return cannot be effected immediately, the costs of the foreign national’s stay shall be borne by the carrier.

(3) The carrier shall also be obliged to return at its own expense, under the procedure of para. 2, a foreign national transiting through the Republic of Bulgaria where the onward carrier refuses to transport him or her to the country of final destination.

(4) The provisions of paras. 2 and 3 shall also apply mutatis mutandis to a foreign national returned to the Republic of Bulgaria who has transited through the country.

Art. 20a. (New, SG No. 63/2007, repealed, SG No. 15/2016)

Art. 20b. (New, SG No. 97/2016) Where necessary and under the procedure of the Act on the International Treaties of the Republic of Bulgaria, agreements may be concluded with the competent authorities of other countries for the sending and receiving of specialists in the field of travel document security and for carrying out checks, at airports in the territories of the contracting parties, of the travel documents of passengers on international flights.

Art. 20c. (New, SG No. 103/2016) (1) The border control authorities and the services for administrative control of foreign nationals may conduct an interview with foreign nationals who have entered the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for the purpose of carrying out control activities.

(2) A record shall be drawn up of the interview.

(3) An interview may also be conducted by other authorities under a procedure provided for by law.

Art. 21. (1) A foreign national who enters, stays in or transits through the country with a vehicle by land, air or water shall hold:

1. a permit for the passage of the vehicle, where such is required under Bulgarian legislation and the international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party;

2. documents establishing the registration of the vehicle;

3. documents establishing the ownership of the vehicle, if this is not established in the documents under item 2;

4. compulsory insurance;

5. driving documents.

(2) A vehicle shall not be allowed to enter the country if the grounds under para. 1, items 1, 4 and 5 are not present.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 82/2006, amended, SG No. 29/2007) The border control authorities shall detain the vehicle and the documents if the grounds under para. 1, items 2 and 3 are not present, for which a record shall be drawn up, a copy of which shall be served on the foreign national. The record and the documents shall be sent to the customs authorities according to their competence.

(4) A foreign national holding valid documents for entry into the country, but not holding such documents for the vehicle under para. 1, shall be allowed to enter the country.

Art. 21a. (New, SG No. 42/2001) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, amended, SG No. 9/2011) The Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security or officials authorised by them may periodically include foreign nationals in the information database of foreign nationals undesirable in the country where the grounds under Art. 10(1) are present.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The terms and procedure for maintaining and updating the information database under para. 1 shall be determined by the Minister of Interior, the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Chapter Two A. Granting of stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria

(new, SG No. 97/2016)

Art. 21b. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) Stateless person status may be granted to a foreign national who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.

(2) The procedure for granting stateless person status shall be laid down by this Act and by the Regulations for its implementation.

Art. 21c. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) The procedure for granting stateless person status shall be initiated by a written application submitted in person to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration sector/group at the Sofia Directorate of Interior and the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior.

(2) The application of a minor under 14 years of age shall be submitted by his or her parents or guardians. The application shall be submitted by only one parent where the other has been deprived of parental rights.

(3) The application of a minor aged 14 to 18 shall be submitted in the presence of his or her parents or curators, who shall express their consent by signing the application. Consent may be expressed by only one parent where the other has been deprived of parental rights.

(4) In the absence of a parent, guardian or curator, the application shall be submitted under a procedure laid down by the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

(5) The application of unaccompanied minors may also be submitted through a representative of a non-governmental organisation carrying out activities for the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, or by another person designated as their representative in accordance with the law.

(6) Upon submission of the application, the applicant shall be informed of his or her rights and obligations in connection with the proceedings under this Chapter, as well as of the consequences of failure to comply with his or her obligations.

(7) In the course of the proceedings, the applicant shall be obliged to cooperate by presenting his or her situation in good faith and submitting all evidence relevant to the examination of his or her application which he or she has at his or her disposal or which there are grounds to presume is available to him or her.

Art. 21d. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) After establishing all relevant facts and circumstances, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue a decision granting or refusing stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) The decision under para. 1 shall be taken after an interview has been conducted with the applicant for stateless person status under a procedure laid down by the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

(3) The decision under para. 1 shall be issued within up to 6 months of the submission of the application, and in cases of legal or factual complexity the time limit may be extended by a further two months.

Art. 21e. (New, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 34/2019) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue a decision refusing stateless person status where it is established that the applicant:

1. falls within the scope of Art. 1, item 2 of the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, adopted in New York on 28 September 1954 (ratified by law, SG No. 11/2012) (SG No. 60/2012);

2. has not declared his or her citizenship for the purpose of obtaining stateless person status;

3. has entered the country or has attempted to pass through it other than through the places designated for that purpose or by using false or forged documents, and does not meet the requirements of this Act and of the Regulations for its implementation concerning the granting of stateless person status;

4. is staying illegally in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as at the date of submission of the application and does not meet the requirements of this Act and of the Regulations for its implementation concerning the granting of stateless person status;

5. (new, SG No. 21/2021) holds a valid identity document or has held an identity document which could have been renewed but has not been renewed;

6. (new, SG No. 21/2021) has had coercive administrative measures imposed on him or her under Art. 41, items 2, 3 and 5, Art. 42 or Art. 42h;

7. (new, SG No. 21/2021) where one of the grounds under Art. 10 is present.

Art. 21f. (New, SG No. 97/2016) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings where:

1. the applicant dies;

2. the applicant withdraws his or her application in writing;

3. the applicant fails to appear for an interview and does not submit evidence showing that he or she has valid reasons for this;

4. it is established by an official document that the data, facts or documents on the basis of which stateless person status is sought are untrue;

5. the applicant fails to submit, within the time limit set, additionally requested data or documents necessary for the proceedings for granting stateless person status, and does not indicate valid reasons for this.

Art. 21g. (New, SG No. 97/2016) The decision refusing stateless person status and the decision terminating the proceedings shall be issued and shall be subject to appeal under the terms and procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 21h. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) The proceedings for granting stateless person status shall be suspended where it is established that the applicant has also lodged an application for international protection.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021) The proceedings shall be suspended until a final ruling on the application for international protection by a decision that has entered into force.

(3) Where there is a decision that has entered into force refusing, withdrawing or terminating refugee status or humanitarian status, or terminating the proceedings for international protection, the proceedings for granting stateless person status may be resumed upon submission by the applicant of a written application to that effect.

Art. 21i. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) A person granted stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria and issued a permit for permanent or long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be issued an identity document “travel document for a stateless person” with a period of validity of not less than three months and not more than two years.

(2) The document under para. 1 shall indicate that it has been issued in accordance with the requirements of the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, adopted in New York on 28 September 1954. The cover page shall also bear the designation “Convention of 28 September 1954”.

(3) The document under para. 1 may also be issued to a person granted stateless person status by another country, if he or she has been issued a residence permit as a foreign national residing permanently or long-term in the Republic of Bulgaria and, for insurmountable reasons proven under a procedure provided for in the Regulations for the implementation of the Act, cannot renew his or her travel document from the country which originally issued it.

(4) (New, SG No. 34/2019, effective 24.10.2019) A person granted stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria who does not meet the conditions for permission of permanent or long-term residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria may be granted extended residence for a period of up to one year under a procedure provided for in the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

Art. 21j. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) Stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria may be withdrawn by the Director of the Migration Directorate or by an official authorised by him or her where it is established by written evidence that the data on the basis of which the status was granted are untrue.

(2) The decision withdrawing stateless person status shall be issued and shall be subject to appeal under the terms and procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Chapter Three. Residence of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria

Art. 22. (1) The residence of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be based on:

1. (amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) a visa under Art. 9a(2), items 3, 4 and 5;

2. (amended and supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) international treaties or agreements of the European Union with third countries on visa-free travel;

3. (new, SG No. 97/2016) acts of European Union law which are in force and applied by the Republic of Bulgaria;

4. (former item 3, SG No. 97/2016) a permit of the services for administrative control of foreign nationals.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007, repealed, SG No. 23/2013)

(3) (Repealed, SG No. 23/2013)

(4) (New, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021) The permit under para. 1, item 4 shall be issued after a written opinion of the State Agency for National Security, which shall be binding on the Migration Directorate and on the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior.

Art. 23. (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) (1) Foreign nationals shall reside in the Republic of Bulgaria:

1. (amended and supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) for a short term: up to 90 days within any 180-day period from the date of entry into the country;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 97/2017) for an extended term: with an authorised period of up to one year, except in the cases provided for in this Act;

3. for a long term: with an authorised initial period of 5 years and the possibility of renewal upon submission of an application;

4. permanently: with an authorised indefinite period.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) The periods under para. 1, items 1, 2 and 4 shall not apply to foreign nationals who have been granted protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act.

(3) (New, SG No. 23/2013, repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

(4) (New, SG No. 23/2013, repealed, SG No. 97/2016)

(5) (New, SG No. 34/2019) To obtain a right of extended residence, the foreign national shall submit in person to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the prescribed form and documents in accordance with the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

(6) (New, SG No. 34/2019) To obtain a right of permanent or long-term residence, the foreign national shall submit in person to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the prescribed form and documents in accordance with the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

(7) (New, SG No. 21/2021) The Directors of the Migration Directorate, of the Sofia Directorate of Interior and of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, or officials authorised by them, shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended or short-term residence of a foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, unless otherwise provided for in this Act.

Art. 23a. (New, SG No. 97/2016) (1) After registration under terms and procedure laid down by law or by an act of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue to foreign nationals who are members of the staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, or of a mission of an international organisation accredited in the Republic of Bulgaria, and to their family members:

1. a card of a member of the diplomatic staff of a diplomatic mission or of a mission of an international organisation accredited in the Republic of Bulgaria (“diplomatic card”);

2. a card of a consular officer in a consular post (“consular card”);

3. a card of a member of the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, or of a mission of an international organisation accredited in the Republic of Bulgaria (“administrative and technical staff card”);

4. a card of a member of the service staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, or of a mission of an international organisation accredited in the Republic of Bulgaria (“service staff card”).

(2) After registration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue to the family members of the persons under para. 1 cards of the same type as that of the holder.

(3) Family members of the persons under para. 1, unless otherwise provided for in a bilateral or multilateral international treaty, shall be the persons who live with the holder in one household and are:

1. a spouse or registered partner with whom the person cohabits;

2. descendants, including those of the person under item 1 only, who have not reached the age of 21, are not married and do not pursue a gainful activity;

3. descendants aged 21 to 26, including those of the person under item 1 only, who are not married and are enrolled in full-time studies at a Bulgarian higher education institution;

4. descendants over the age of 21, including those of the person under item 1 only, who have no income of their own, are objectively unable to support themselves, and serious health reasons require the holder to take personal care of them;

5. ascendants of the holder or of the person under item 1 who are dependants and serious health reasons require the holder to take personal care of them, subject to reciprocity.

(4) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Finance and the State Agency for National Security of the registrations made.

(5) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall keep an electronic register of the registrations and of the cards issued, which shall contain:

1. the names, position and citizenship of the person to whom the document has been issued;

2. the type and number of the document issued;

3. the date of issue and the period of validity.

(6) The cards under para. 1 shall be issued with a validity for the period of the accreditation, but not exceeding 5 years, and shall certify the immunities and privileges granted within the meaning of international law, as well as the right of multiple entry into and residence in the territory of the country, unless otherwise provided for in an international treaty in force for the Republic of Bulgaria or unless otherwise following from the conditions of reciprocity.

(7) The cards under para. 1 shall be returned upon expiry of the period of accreditation, upon death or upon the person being declared persona non grata.

Art. 24. (1) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) A permit for extended residence may be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) and who:

1. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) wish to work as posted persons or persons sent within the framework of the provision of services in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria after authorisation by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy under the procedure of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act;

2. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, supplemented, SG No. 37/2003, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) carry out commercial activity in the country in accordance with the procedure established by law, where as a result of that activity at least 10 full-time jobs have been created for Bulgarian citizens and maintained for the period of residence, unless otherwise agreed in an international treaty ratified, promulgated and in force for the Republic of Bulgaria, the requirement applying to each partner separately; the same conditions shall apply to each manager separately;

3. (repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

4. are foreign specialists staying in the country by virtue of international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party;

5. (amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 23/2013) have grounds to be granted permanent residence;

6. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 52/2025) are representatives of a foreign commercial company which has submitted documents evidencing: tax compliance; an annual turnover of at least BGN 100,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency, calculated at the official exchange rate of the Bulgarian National Bank valid on the day of acceptance of the complete documents for registration of the trade representative office with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, achieved for each of two consecutive years preceding the registration of its trade representative office; a certificate of good standing of the foreign person, issued not earlier than 6 months before and valid for 6 months from the date of its issue by the respective competent registration authority in accordance with its national legislation; these circumstances shall be certified upon the issue of a certificate by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the basis of official documents provided by the foreign person from the country of registration of the commercial company; a residence permit on this ground may be obtained by up to two representatives of the foreign commercial company; upon receipt of a request for extension of the period of residence on this ground, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry shall issue a new certificate after a declaration by the trade representative of the activity carried out by him or her during the period of the previous residence and in implementation of the programme of activities of the representative office; evidence of an office, of representative acts carried out and/or of relations with Bulgarian partners, and a certificate of good standing of the foreign person valid for 6 months from the date of its issue; the foreign person shall be obliged, within 30 days of the occurrence of a change in the circumstances of its registration, to submit a certificate of good standing issued not earlier than 6 months before by the respective competent registration authority in accordance with its national legislation; the trade representative office shall be obliged, within 7 days of a change in the circumstances of the registration of the representative office, to declare them in writing to the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which shall promptly notify the Migration Directorate thereof; where there is information that the trade representative office does not meet the statutory requirements, the competent state authorities shall inform the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a view to taking action for its deregistration; the authorities for administrative control of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be notified of the deregistration of the trade representative office;

7. (supplemented, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 97/2016) are financially secure parents of a Bulgarian citizen or of a foreign national holding a permanent residence permit, where the documents certifying the family ties which originate from abroad have been recognised or admitted for enforcement and registered under the procedure of Bulgarian legislation;

8. (amended, SG No. 70/2004, effective 01.01.2005, amended, SG No. 97/2016) have been admitted for long-term treatment to a medical establishment, have sufficient financial means for treatment and subsistence so as not to become a burden on the social security systems, and whose state of health requires continuous care by qualified medical staff;

9. are correspondents of foreign mass media and are accredited in the Republic of Bulgaria;

10. (amended, SG No. 23/2013) have acquired a right to a pension under the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria, of their country of origin or of another country and have sufficient means of subsistence in the country;

11. (amended, SG No. 37/2004, effective 06.08.2004, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

12. (repealed, SG No. 42/2001)

13. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 52/2025) are family members of a foreign national who has obtained a permit for extended or permanent residence, or of a foreign national granted asylum or international protection, where the documents certifying the family ties and the right to maintenance have been recognised or admitted for enforcement under the procedure of Bulgarian legislation;

14. (new, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006, amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) are other members of the household of a foreign national under Art. 23a(3) or his or her private domestic workers;

15. (new, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) wish to carry out freelance activity after authorisation by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in accordance with Art. 24a and under the procedure of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act;

16. (new, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) have received a positive opinion of the Religious Denominations Directorate of the Council of Ministers under the procedure of the Religious Denominations Act, in their capacity as foreign religious ministers invited by the central governing bodies of the registered religious denominations;

17. (new, SG No. 29/2007, supplemented, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) have been granted special protection status under Art. 25 of the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act, under the procedure of Art. 24m;

18. (new, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) are family members of a Bulgarian citizen and the documents originating from abroad which certify the family ties and the right to maintenance have been recognised and registered or admitted for enforcement under the procedure of Bulgarian legislation;

19. (new, SG No. 16/2013) have invested an amount of not less than BGN 600,000, for each foreign national, in the acquisition of ownership of real estate in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, or the foreign national owns more than 50 per cent of the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company, has invested the same amount in the capital of the company and, as a result, the company has acquired ownership of real estate in the country of that value; as at the date of submission of the application for an extended residence permit, the foreign national or the legal person must have paid the amount in full, which must have been received in an account with a Bulgarian licensed credit institution, and where the properties have been acquired with borrowed funds, the outstanding part of the loan must not exceed 25 per cent;

20. (new, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) have made an investment in economically disadvantaged regions within the meaning of the Investment Promotion Act by contributing not less than BGN 250,000 to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company, where the foreign national is a partner or shareholder with registered shares and holds not less than 50 per cent of the capital of the company, and as a result of the investment new tangible and intangible fixed assets with a value of not less than BGN 250,000 have been acquired and at least 5 jobs have been created for Bulgarian citizens and maintained for the period of residence, as certified by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry;

21. (new, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) wish to carry out voluntary activities within the European Voluntary Service within the meaning of Art. 40(2) of the Youth Act, under the procedure of Art. 24n;

22. (new, SG No. 34/2019, effective 24.10.2019, repealed, SG No. 52/2025)

23. (new, SG No. 52/2025) are digital nomads.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) To obtain a permit for extended residence, the persons must have secured accommodation, compulsory health insurance and social security cover, and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not lower than the minimum monthly wage, the minimum scholarship or the minimum pension under the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period of residence. When submitting an application for the issue of an initial residence permit, the documents on which the application for the issue of a visa under Art. 15(1) was based shall also be submitted, and foreign nationals who have reached the age of 18, with the exception of persons holding stateless person status in the Republic of Bulgaria, shall also submit documents on criminal record or on criminal or police registration, issued in accordance with the legislation of the country of citizenship, of the country of origin or of habitual residence.

(3) (New, SG No. 63/2005, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 34/2019) The application for the issue of an extended residence permit shall be examined within up to 14 days of its submission under terms and procedure laid down by the Regulations for the implementation of the Act. In cases of legal and factual complexity and the need to provide additional documents and information, this time limit may be extended by a further month. The foreign national shall be notified in writing of the extension of the time limit, the letter stating that he or she must provide the necessary documents and information within 14 days of receipt of the letter. Where the additional documents and information are not provided within the time limit specified, the proceedings for the issue of an extended residence permit shall be terminated and the application shall not be subject to re-examination.

(4) (New, SG No. 21/2012, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 97/2017) When submitting an application for the issue of an extended residence permit, the persons under para. 1, item 17, the descendants born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of the persons under Art. 23a(1) and of foreign nationals holding a permit for extended, long-term or permanent residence, as well as a family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has exercised his or her right of free movement and holds a valid residence document as a family member of a Union citizen issued by another Member State of the European Union, shall be exempt from the obligations under para. 2 and from the requirement to hold a visa under Art. 15(1).

(5) (New, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Upon termination of a marriage by divorce or death, the services for administrative control of foreign nationals may issue a one-off autonomous permit for extended residence to a foreign national who has obtained a permit for extended or long-term residence on the basis of para. 1, items 13 and 18, where the family has resided continuously and lawfully in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for at least two years.

(6) (New, SG No. 23/2013) Under the conditions of para. 5, an autonomous permit for extended residence may also be issued to the family members of a Bulgarian citizen under Art. 2(6), items 1, 2 and 3.

(7) (New, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Where there are exceptional circumstances, the family members of a foreign national residing on an extended, long-term or permanent basis and the family members of a Bulgarian citizen under Art. 2(6), items 1, 2 and 3 may be issued a one-off autonomous permit for extended residence under a procedure laid down by the Regulations for the implementation of the Act.

(8) (New, SG No. 97/2016) An accepted application for the issue of a residence permit shall not give rise to an obligation to issue a permit for extended residence. The issue of a permit for extended residence shall be refused in cases where the ground indicated in the application differs from the ground for the issue of a long-stay visa under Art. 15(1).

(9) (New, SG No. 97/2017) Upon the death of the Bulgarian citizen, the right of extended residence of his or her family members, granted under the procedure of Art. 24l, shall not be affected if they have resided in the Republic of Bulgaria for at least one year before his or her death in their capacity as family members.

(10) (New, SG No. 97/2017) Upon the death of the Bulgarian citizen, the right of extended residence granted under the procedure of Art. 24l to a family member who exercises parental rights and to his or her children shall not be affected, provided that the children are enrolled in a school within the system of pre-school and school education or in a higher education institution, until the completion of their studies or where they present evidence of subsequent stages of their education.

(11) (New, SG No. 97/2017) A family member of a Bulgarian citizen granted a right under the procedure of Art. 24l shall retain his or her right of extended residence upon termination of the marriage if he or she meets the conditions of being a worker or a self-employed person in the Republic of Bulgaria and of holding health insurance and the necessary financial means to cover the costs of his or her residence and those of his or her family members without becoming a burden on the social assistance system, and one of the following circumstances applies to him or her:

1. the marriage has lasted at least three years, including one year in the Republic of Bulgaria;

2. he or she exercises parental rights by virtue of a court decision;

3. he or she has been a victim of domestic violence before the termination of the marriage, as well as in other cases where this is justified in view of particularly difficult circumstances which arose independently of the will of the foreign national and which he or she could not have foreseen or prevented;

4. he or she has a right of access to a minor child by virtue of a court decision, provided that the court decision provides for the access to take place in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(12) (New, SG No. 97/2017) The persons under paras. 9 – 11 must prove that they are workers or self-employed persons or that they have sufficient resources for themselves and for their family members so as not to become a burden on the social assistance system during their period of residence, and that they have comprehensive health insurance.

(13) (New, SG No. 28/2020, effective 13.03.2020, amended, SG No. 44/2020, effective 14.05.2020, amended and supplemented, SG No. 98/2020) A foreign national with authorised extended residence in the Republic of Bulgaria whose period of residence expires during a declared state of emergency or within up to 9 months after the lifting of the state of emergency may submit an application for extension of the residence within up to 9 months after the lifting of the state of emergency, and this period shall not be deemed an interruption where the foreign national submits an application for long-term or permanent residence. A foreign national residing on an extended basis whose authorised extended residence expires during a declared state of emergency or within up to 9 months after the lifting of a declared state of emergency may enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria without holding a long-stay visa under Art. 15(1) until 9 months after the lifting of the state of emergency.

Art. 24a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, amended, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) (1) An extended residence permit or a long-stay visa may be obtained by foreign nationals who wish to carry out freelance activity and who meet the requirements for obtaining a permit to carry out freelance activity within the meaning of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act.

(2) For the issuance of the documents under para. 1, the following documents shall be submitted to the diplomatic and consular missions or, respectively, to the administrative control services for foreign nationals:

1. an application in the standard form;

2. a permit to carry out freelance activity issued by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

(3) A long-stay visa for the purpose of carrying out freelance activity shall not be issued to a foreign national in the cases under Art. 24(1), items 1 – 13 and items 16 – 20.

Art. 24b. (New, SG No. 63/2007, amended, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) (1) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) An extended residence permit may also be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) and who are researchers having concluded a contract for the development of a research project with a research organisation having its seat in the Republic of Bulgaria and entered in the register under Art. 81(1), item 1 of the Research and Innovation Promotion Act.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 34/2019) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. Where the term of the contract for the development of a research project is shorter than one year, the permit shall be issued for the term of the contract.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) An application for a permit under para. 1 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach thereto:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, personal data, the visa under Art. 15(1), where such is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; to verify the authenticity of the copy, the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented;

2. evidence of secured accommodation;

3. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

4. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage, minimum scholarship or minimum pension, for the period of stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

5. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of the application;

6. a contract concluded with the research organisation in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Before issuing the permit under para. 1, the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall verify the entry of the research organisation in the register under Art. 81(1), item 1 of the Research and Innovation Promotion Act.

(5) (Amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued within 30 days of the submission of the application, of which the applicant shall be notified in writing.

(6) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) An extended residence permit may also be obtained by the family members of a researcher under para. 1 on the basis of Art. 24(1), item 13 for the period of validity of the researcher’s residence permit, if they meet the requirements under Art. 24(2).

(7) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) A foreign national who has been admitted as a researcher in another Member State of the European Union may carry out part of his or her research in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of up to 180 days within any period of 360 days on the basis of a contract concluded with a research organisation in the first Member State.

(8) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) In the cases under para. 7, the host research organisation in the first Member State shall notify the competent authorities of the first Member State and of the Republic of Bulgaria of the planned conduct of part of the research in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, within the period of validity of the permit issued by the first Member State.

(9) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) In the cases under para. 7, the competent authorities of the first Member State shall notify the Republic of Bulgaria of the planned stay and shall submit the following documents:

1. a valid residence permit;

2. a valid passport or a substitute document;

3. evidence of secured accommodation;

4. compulsory medical insurance;

5. a criminal record certificate.

(10) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) The planned stay under para. 7 may take place after the expiry of the time limit for an objection by the Migration Directorate to the first Member State, which may not be longer than 30 days from the receipt of the complete notification.

(11) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) For the family members of a foreign national admitted as a researcher in the Republic of Bulgaria under para. 7 who wish to accompany him or her in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the documents under para. 9, as well as a marriage certificate or a birth certificate, shall be provided together with the notification under para. 8.

(12) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) A permit under para. 1 may also be obtained by a foreign national who holds a valid residence permit issued by the first Member State and who intends to conduct part of his or her research at a research organisation in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period longer than 180 days but not exceeding two years. The Republic of Bulgaria shall notify the first Member State of its decision.

(13) (Amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) In the cases under para. 12, the foreign national shall attach the documents under para. 3, with the exception of the visa under Art. 15(1).

(14) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) The Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall immediately notify the Migration Directorate and the foreign national of the extended residence permit granted under para. 12. The Migration Directorate shall notify the foreign national and the first Member State within 30 days of the date of submission of the application for an extended residence permit under para. 12.

(15) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) An extended residence permit may also be obtained by the family members of a researcher under para. 12 who hold a valid residence permit issued by the first Member State – for the period until the expiry of the researcher’s residence permit in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. To obtain the permit, the foreign national shall submit to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, attaching thereto the documents under para. 3, items 1 – 5, as well as a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.

(16) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) Simultaneous notification under para. 8 and submission of an application for the issuance of a permit under para. 12 shall not be permitted. The application under para. 12 may be submitted once the short-term mobility has begun, not later than 30 days before the expiry of its period.

(17) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) Where the researcher or his or her family members do not meet or have ceased to meet the requirements for the issuance of a residence permit under para. 1, 6, 12 or 15, the Migration Directorate shall notify the first Member State that authorised the residence, for the purpose of their readmission to its territory without delay and formalities. This shall also apply where the period of validity of the permit issued by the first Member State expires or the permit is withdrawn during the stay in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(18) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) An extended residence permit for a period of up to 9 months may also be obtained by a foreign national who has obtained an extended residence permit under para. 1 or 12 and who, within 7 working days after the completion of a research project, has submitted an application to the Employment Agency for registration as a jobseeker under the Employment Promotion Act, which the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall verify ex officio. The application for an extended residence permit shall be in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act and shall be submitted at least 30 days before the expiry of the authorised period of residence.

(19) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) Following the issuance of an extended residence permit under para. 1, 6, 12 and 15, documents shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals, hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002”. In the cases under para. 1, “researcher” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field. In the cases under para. 12, the permits shall be issued with a period of validity of up to two years, and “researcher – mobility” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field.

Art. 24c. (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) An extended residence permit of up to one year may be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) and who have been admitted as full-time students at a higher education institution in the Republic of Bulgaria. The permit shall be issued for a period of 18 months where it relates to the final year of study.

(2) An application for a permit under para. 1 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach thereto:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, personal data, the visa under Art. 15(1), where such is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; to verify the authenticity of the copy, the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented;

2. evidence of secured accommodation;

3. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act, except where the foreign national benefits from health insurance upon enrolment at the higher education institution;

4. (supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage, minimum scholarship or minimum pension, for the period of stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Such evidence shall not be required in the cases under para. 13;

5. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of the application;

6. a certificate of admission to study in the Republic of Bulgaria issued by the Ministry of Education and Science, and a certificate issued by the higher education institution that the foreign national will study during the relevant year;

7. evidence of payment of the enrolment fee at the higher education institution, which shall be presented after the person has entered the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1).

(3) A permit under para. 1 may be obtained, without holding a visa under Art. 15(1), by foreign nationals of Bulgarian origin who have been admitted as full-time students at a higher education institution in the Republic of Bulgaria and who present a document of Bulgarian origin. In addition to the documents under para. 2, the foreign national shall attach to the application a birth certificate or a certificate of Bulgarian origin issued by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad where it is impossible to present a birth certificate. The certificate of Bulgarian origin shall be attached where it is impossible for the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sectors/groups of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior to attach an ex officio reference from an information system of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad concerning the Bulgarian origin of the foreign national.

(4) An extended residence permit for the period of study, but for not more than two years, may be obtained by foreign national students who will carry out part of their studies in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, hold a valid residence permit issued by another Member State of the European Union, are covered by a Union or multilateral programme providing for study in more than one Member State, or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions of which at least one is Bulgarian, and have the right of entry and stay for the purpose of carrying out part of their studies at a higher education institution in one or more second Member States.

(5) The foreign national student shall submit an application for a permit under para. 4 electronically to the address of the Migration Directorate or of the national contact point on mobility matters, after having been admitted in the first Member State and as soon as he or she becomes aware of the planned mobility to the Republic of Bulgaria. The application shall be in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach thereto the following documents, accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian:

1. a document certifying that the foreign national carries out part of his or her studies in the Republic of Bulgaria within the framework of a Union or multilateral programme providing for study in more than one Member State, or of an agreement between two or more higher education institutions of which at least one is Bulgarian, except where, within the framework of his or her course of study, the foreign national student is required to attend part of the classes at a higher education institution located in the territory of another Member State;

2. a document certifying that the foreign national has been admitted as a student at a higher education institution in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as the planned duration and dates of the mobility;

3. a valid residence permit issued by another Member State of the European Union in which the foreign national has been admitted as a student for the entire period of the mobility;

4. evidence of payment of the tuition fee at the relevant higher education institution, where such is required;

5. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, personal data and the stamp of the last entry into the country; to verify the authenticity of the copy, the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented;

6. evidence of secured accommodation;

7. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act, except where the foreign national benefits from health insurance upon enrolment at the higher education institution;

8. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage, minimum scholarship or minimum pension, for the period of stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

9. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of the application.

(6) The application under para. 5 shall be examined within 30 days of its receipt. The Migration Directorate may request from the competent authorities of the first Member State the necessary information concerning the stay of the foreign national in its territory. Where one of the requirements under para. 5 has not been met or one of the required documents has not been submitted, the Migration Directorate may, within the 30-day period, raise an objection to the mobility of the student to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The objection shall be in writing and shall be sent immediately to the student and to the competent authorities of the first Member State. In the latter case, the student shall not be admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(7) Within 14 days of entering the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the foreign national under para. 5 must appear at the Migration Directorate and present a document evidencing payment of the state fee for the issuance of an extended residence permit and a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document.

(8) A permit under para. 1 for the purpose of carrying out part of his or her studies at a higher education institution in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria may be obtained by a foreign national who holds a visa under Art. 15(1) and is not covered by a programme or an agreement under para. 4, after submitting an application under the procedure of para. 2.

(9) An extended residence permit of up to one year may be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) and who are pupils admitted to study at secondary level of education within the framework of a pupil exchange programme.

(10) An application for a permit under para. 9 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior. The application shall be in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach thereto:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, personal data, a visa under Art. 15(1), where such is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; to verify the authenticity of the copy, the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented;

2. a certificate of admission in the territory of the country for study at secondary level of education;

3. evidence of participation in a pupil exchange programme;

4. documents issued by the pupil exchange organisation guaranteeing coverage of his or her costs of subsistence, study, health and return;

5. documents certifying that the pupil will be accommodated for the entire period of his or her stay by a family meeting the established conditions and selected in accordance with the rules of the pupil exchange programme in which he or she participates, or in a special accommodation facility within the educational establishment;

6. a notarised declaration of consent of the parents or guardians or custodians.

(11) An extended residence permit for the period of the traineeship, but for not more than one year, may be obtained by foreign nationals who are trainees under Art. 38a of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act and who hold a visa under Art. 15(1).

(12) An application for a permit under para. 11 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior. The application shall be in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach thereto:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, personal data, a visa under Art. 15(1), where such is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; to verify the authenticity of the copy, the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented;

2. evidence of secured accommodation;

3. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act, except where the foreign national benefits from health insurance upon enrolment at a higher education institution;

4. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage, minimum scholarship or minimum pension, for the period of stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

5. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of the application;

6. a copy of an employment contract containing details of the duration of the traineeship and the place and conditions of conducting the traineeship;

7. a certificate of a traineeship programme;

8. a certificate that he or she has undergone or will undergo language training to acquire the knowledge necessary for the purposes of the traineeship;

9. a document certifying a higher education degree obtained within the two years preceding the date of submission of the application, or that he or she is enrolled in a course of study leading to a higher education degree.

(13) After completing his or her studies as a full-time student at a higher education institution in the Republic of Bulgaria, a foreign national who has obtained an extended residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria may obtain an extended residence permit for a period of up to 9 months upon submitting an application in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act at least 30 days before the expiry of the authorised period of residence, attaching thereto the documents under para. 2, items 1 – 3 and a document from the higher education institution on the completion of his or her studies. The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall verify ex officio whether, within 7 working days after completing his or her studies at the higher education institution, the foreign national has submitted an application to the Employment Agency for registration as a jobseeker under the Employment Promotion Act. The permit shall be issued within 30 days of the submission of the application.

(14) In the cases under para. 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 11, the period of validity of the passport or substitute document of the foreign national shall cover at least the requested period of residence.

(15) The Ministry of Education and Science shall provide ex officio to the Migration Directorate a certificate of admission of a foreign national to study in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(16) Applications, with the exception of those under para. 5 and 13, shall be submitted not later than 14 days before the expiry of the authorised period of residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Applications, with the exception of those under para. 5 and 13, shall be examined and decided within 14 days. In the event of legal and factual complexity and the need to present additional documents, this time limit may be extended by one month, of which the foreign national shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents and information must be presented within 14 days. Where the additional documents and information are not presented within the specified time limit, the proceedings shall be terminated and the application shall not be subject to re-examination.

(17) The Migration Directorate and the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall coordinate each application with the State Agency for National Security, which, within 7 days of its receipt, shall send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act.

(18) Following the issuance of an extended residence permit under para. 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11 and 13, documents shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002. In the permits under para. 1, 3, 4 and 8, “student” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field; in the permits under para. 9, “pupil” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field; and in the permits under para. 11, “trainee” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field.

(19) Foreign nationals shall be notified in writing, under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code, of decisions taken on the basis of applications for residence under this Article.

Art. 24d. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) Long-term resident status shall be granted to a foreign national who has resided legally and continuously in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for 5 years before the submission of the application for authorisation of long-term residence. Once acquired, long-term resident status shall be permanent, insofar as no grounds for its withdrawal under Art. 40 have arisen.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) The periods of residence of the persons under Art. 23a and of persons residing solely on grounds of a temporary nature, such as au pairs, seasonal workers, cross-border service providers, workers or employees posted by a service provider for the provision of cross-border services, or where their residence permit has been formally limited, shall not be taken into account when calculating the period of residence under para. 1.

(3) When calculating the period of residence under para. 1, only half of the period of residence of foreign nationals as students, pupils or trainees on the basis of Art. 24c shall be taken into account.

(4) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Long-term resident status may also be granted to a foreign national who is a beneficiary of international protection.

(5) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) With regard to foreign nationals granted international protection, the calculation of the period of residence under para. 1 shall also include half of the period of residence from the date of submission of the application for international protection until the date of issuance of a Bulgarian identity document under the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act, or the entire period of residence between those dates if it exceeds 18 months.

(6) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Holding a residence permit in another Member State on the basis of protection granted other than international protection, or the existence of pending proceedings for the issuance of such a permit, shall not constitute grounds for granting long-term resident status.

(7) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) The existence of pending proceedings for the granting of international protection shall not constitute grounds for granting long-term resident status.

(8) (Former para. 4, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Periods of absence from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall not interrupt the period referred to in para. 1 and shall be taken into account in its calculation where they are shorter than 6 consecutive months and do not exceed a total of 10 months within the 5-year period.

(9) (Former para. 5, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) To be granted long-term resident status, the foreign national must present evidence that he or she has, for himself or herself and for his or her family members, sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the minimum wage and the minimum pension, and that he or she holds compulsory health insurance or insurance cover for the period of residence in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(10) (Former para. 6, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 34/2019) The competent authority of the Ministry of Interior shall take a decision on the application for the granting of long-term resident status within two months of its submission. In the event of legal and factual complexity and where additional documents need to be presented, this time limit may be extended by two months.

(11) (Former para. 7, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Upon being granted long-term resident status, the foreign national shall be provided with information on the rights and obligations arising from that status.

(12) (Former para. 8, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) The procedure for examining the application shall be laid down in the rules for the application of the Act.

Art. 24e. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) A foreign national who has obtained long-term resident status shall be issued with a long-term resident’s EU residence permit. This permit shall be valid for 5 years and, upon its expiry, shall be renewed upon submission of an application. The expiry of the long-term resident’s EU residence permit shall not constitute grounds for the withdrawal or loss of that status.

(2) The long-term resident’s EU residence permit shall be issued on the basis of an application submitted in person. The permit shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals. “Long-term resident – EU” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field.

(3) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) When a long-term resident’s EU residence permit is issued to a foreign national granted international protection, the international protection granted by the Republic of Bulgaria and the date on which it was granted shall be entered in the “remarks” field.

Art. 24f. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) The family members of a long-term resident foreign national may obtain an extended residence permit for a period of one year, renewable, without exceeding the authorised period of residence of the holder.

(2) For the issuance of a residence permit to family members, the requirements of Art. 24(2) must be met.

(3) (Regarding the second sentence, effective 01.06.2011) After 5 years of residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and provided that they have not obtained a residence permit for reasons other than family reunification, the spouse and the adult children of a foreign national residing in the country shall be entitled to obtain an autonomous long-term residence permit, independent of that of the holder, if the grounds under Art. 24d are present. When calculating the period of residence of the family members of an EU Blue Card holder, residence in different Member States may be accumulated under the conditions of Art. 33l(1).

(4) (Amended, SG No. 79/2015, effective 01.08.2016) Upon dissolution of the marriage, the children of the long-term resident and the other parent shall be entitled to an autonomous extended residence permit if they meet the requirements under Art. 24(2) and where the children are enrolled at a school within the system of pre-school and school education or at a higher education institution, until the end of the school year or until the completion of the course of study.

(5) The procedure for issuing the permit under para. 1 – 4 shall be laid down in the rules for the application of the Act.

Art. 24g. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) In the cases under Art. 40(1), items 6, 9 and 11, the right of long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria may be restored under a simplified procedure laid down in the rules for the application of the Act.

(2) The procedure under para. 1 shall apply to the persons under Art. 40(1), item 9 who have resided in the second Member State for the purpose of study.

Art. 24h. (New, SG No. 21/2012) (1) An extended residence permit may also be obtained by illegally staying foreign nationals who are participants in pending administrative or criminal proceedings instituted under Art. 227(3) and (5) of the Criminal Code – until the completion of the proceedings.

(2) The period of authorised residence under para. 1 shall not be taken into account when calculating the period of residence for obtaining permanent or long-term residence.

Art. 24i. (New, SG No. 70/2013, effective 24.12.2013, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) An extended residence and work permit of the “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type may be obtained by foreign nationals who meet the requirements for access to the labour market under Bulgarian legislation and who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) or a residence permit issued in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002.

(2) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued for a period of three years and, where the term of the employment contract is shorter than three years, the permit shall be issued for the duration of the contract.

(3) A foreign national with an authorised right of residence in the country shall not be required to be outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria when initially applying for a permit under para. 1. Nor shall the foreign national be required to be outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria when subsequently applying for a permit under para. 1.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) An application for the issuance of a permit under para. 1 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior by the employer or a person authorised by the employer, or in person by the foreign national where he or she holds an extended residence permit, in which case the application shall also be signed by the employer. Where the foreign national holds an extended residence permit, the application shall be submitted not later than two months before the expiry of the authorised period of extended residence. Upon submission of the application, the applicant shall be provided with information on all documents necessary for obtaining the permit, including on the rights and obligations of the foreign national arising therefrom.

(5) The application shall be submitted in the standard form set out in the rules for the application of the Act, shall state an email address for correspondence, and shall be accompanied by:

1. a copy of the passport or a substitute document, including the pages with the photograph and personal data of the foreign national;

2. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of an application for the issuance of a permit under para. 1;

3. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) evidence of secured accommodation, where the foreign national has authorised extended residence in the territory of the country; an applicant who has not been granted a right of extended residence in the territory of the country shall present the evidence of secured accommodation when submitting for the first time an application for the issuance of a “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type document in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002; such evidence shall also be provided when submitting an application for a long-stay visa;

4. a justification for the foreign national’s access to the labour market, in which the employer:

(a) states the facts and circumstances necessitating the hiring of a foreign worker;

(b) presents copies of advertisements in local and national mass media and on the internet;

(c) gives reasons for refusing to hire a Bulgarian citizen, a citizen of another Member State of the European Union, of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation, or a person under Art. 9(1), items 2 – 6 of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act, who meets the requirements stated in the advertisement;

5. documents on the education, speciality, qualifications, professional qualification and experience of the foreign national, legalised under the relevant procedure, accompanied by a certified translation into Bulgarian and corresponding to the requirements for holding the position stated by the employer when advertising the vacancy, in accordance with the National Classification of Occupations and Positions, 2011 – upon the initial submission of an application for the issuance of a permit under para. 1;

6. a statement-declaration by the employer on the foreign nationals employed under an employment relationship, specifying their names as in the passport, date of birth, citizenship, and the grounds and period of residence;

7. a statement-declaration signed by the employer on the average number of persons employed under an employment relationship during the preceding 12 months, given by month, of:

(a) Bulgarian citizens, citizens of a Member State of the European Union, of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and of the Swiss Confederation, including those holding a long-term or permanent residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria, and their family members;

(b) foreign nationals granted the right of asylum or international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria under the procedure of the Asylum and Refugees Act and their family members;

(c) foreign nationals for whom employment is provided for under an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party;

(d) foreign nationals who are family members of Bulgarian citizens;

(e) foreign nationals who are family members of a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation, who by virtue of international agreements concluded with the European Union have the right of free movement;

8. a declaration by the employer that the conditions of work and pay have been complied with and that they are not less favourable than the conditions for Bulgarian citizens for the relevant category of work – upon the initial submission of an application for the issuance of a permit under para. 1;

9. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) a copy, certified by the employer, of a concluded fixed-term employment contract for a position with a code under the National Classification of Occupations and Positions, 2011, signed by the parties and entering into force on the date of receipt of the residence document by the foreign worker, and a copy of the job description where it forms an integral part of the contract;

10. a document showing that the requirements for practising a profession included in the List of Regulated Professions in the Republic of Bulgaria under Art. 3 of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act have been met;

11. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of at least three months – until the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type, where the foreign national is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

12. other documents required under Bulgarian legislation for holding the position stated by the employer;

13. (new, SG No. 52/2025) outside the cases under item 10, after the person has entered the territory of the country with a long-stay visa issued, a certificate of the National Centre for Information and Documentation on the recognition of higher education acquired by the foreign national at foreign higher education institutions shall be attached, and where the certificate has been entered in the Register of Academic Recognition of the National Centre for Information and Documentation, its number and date of issue shall be stated in the application and the certificate shall not be attached; the same shall also apply when the foreign national applies for a long-stay visa.

(6) The professional skills and experience of the foreign national shall be certified by a document on length of service issued by a competent authority of the relevant state, stating the employer and the length of service and professional experience in the position held. The requirement to present the documents under para. 5, items 5 and 7 shall not apply to:

1. foreign nationals whose employment arises from the implementation of international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party;

2. visiting professors, lecturers and teachers at Bulgarian higher education institutions and secondary schools, by decision of the academic councils of the higher education institutions and of the regional education administrations, respectively;

3. performing artists within the meaning of Art. 74 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act with proven professional competence – following confirmation by the Ministry of Culture of an interest in hiring them;

4. athletes and coaches in sports clubs, upon confirmation by the Bulgarian national sports federations and unions of an interest in hiring them owing to their particular personal qualities and high level of professional knowledge and skills.

(7) Where the practice of the profession and activity requires qualifications recognised by a Bulgarian authority, an issued permit or a licence, the following shall be attached to the application under para. 4:

1. a document issued on the basis of Art. 213(4), item 3 of the Pre-school and School Education Act – for teachers at schools;

2. a licence issued by the Executive Director of the National Revenue Agency or by a deputy executive director authorised by him or her – for gambling activity;

3. a certificate from the relevant sports federation and national sports organisation that the foreign national has the status of a professional competitor in accordance with the requirements of the international federation for the relevant sport, possesses particular personal qualities and a high level of professional skills, and that there are grounds for him or her to be registered with the relevant sports federation or sports club – for athletes and coaches;

4. a copy of the sports licence issued by the Minister of Youth and Sports, or a certificate from the relevant licensed sports federation or national sports organisation – for athletes and coaches;

5. a document issued by the Ministry of Culture on the existence of an interest in hiring foreign nationals – for performing artists within the meaning of Art. 74 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act.

(8) Where the application under para. 4 has been submitted to the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, it shall be sent, together with the documents attached thereto, immediately and electronically to the Migration Directorate and to the territorial directorates of the State Agency for National Security. Not later than three days after its submission, the application and the documents shall also be sent in original. Within the time limit under the second sentence, the Migration department/sector/group shall carry out a check where there are reasonable doubts that the foreign national will not live at the address declared by him or her, and the record of the check shall be sent together with the application.

(9) The Migration Directorate shall check the documents received and, where a document is missing, as well as where additional documents under para. 5 – 7 need to be presented, shall notify the applicant electronically of those circumstances and shall set a time limit of 7 days for remedying the irregularities.

(10) Where the documents are not presented within the time limit under para. 9, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1.

(11) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate shall send electronically to the Employment Agency the applications in respect of which the proceedings have not been terminated under para. 10, together with the attached documents, within 14 days of the submission of the application, and the documents under para. 5, item 5 shall also be sent in original. Where the foreign national has authorised extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, a statement of his or her authorised right of residence shall also be attached to the application. The applications and the attached documents shall also be sent electronically to the State Agency for National Security, which, within 14 days, shall send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act where the person is in the territory of the country, and in the cases under para. 15 – within three days after giving an opinion on the application for a visa under Art. 15(1).

(12) Within 15 days of receipt of the file under para. 11, the Employment Agency shall send electronically to the Migration Directorate a written opinion of the Executive Director of the Employment Agency on the existence or absence of grounds for granting access to the labour market; in the event of irregularities in the documents, as well as where additional documents need to be provided by the applicant, the Employment Agency shall notify the Migration Directorate, and this time limit shall be suspended until the documents are received or the irregularities are remedied. The Migration Directorate shall notify the applicant electronically of the need to provide additional documents or to remedy irregularities and shall set a time limit of 7 days for this.

(13) Where, within the 7-day time limit, the additional documents are not provided or the irregularities are not remedied, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1 and shall notify the Employment Agency.

(14) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application under para. 4 has been submitted by the employer or a person authorised by the employer, the Migration Directorate shall send electronically to the employer, within three days of the receipt of positive opinions under para. 12, a communication stating that there are grounds for granting the foreign national access to the labour market. The communication shall also be sent to the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(15) The employer shall notify the foreign national of the communication under para. 14, and within 20 days of the communication under para. 14 being sent to the employer, the foreign national must take steps to submit an application for the issuance of a visa under Art. 15(1). In the event of a refusal to issue a visa under Art. 15(1), the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the Migration Directorate and the State Agency for National Security.

(16) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Within 14 days of the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall be obliged to appear with the foreign national at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and to present, in addition to the application under para. 4, a copy of the page of the foreign national’s passport bearing the visa and compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of at least three months – until the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type. Where the documents are not presented within the time limit under the first sentence, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1.

(17) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue or refuse to issue an extended residence and work permit of the “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type within three days of the presentation of the documents under para. 16. Following the issuance of the permit, a document shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, and “single permit for residence and work” shall be entered in the “type of permit” field.

(18) The procedure for issuing an extended residence and work permit of the “Single Permit for Residence and Work” type may not exceed two months; in the event of factual and legal complexity, this time limit may be extended by two months. In the course of the procedure, the applicant or a person authorised by the applicant may withdraw the application submitted under para. 4, which shall constitute grounds for terminating the proceedings.

(19) (Supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) The employer shall notify the Migration Directorate of any change affecting the admission criteria that has occurred in the course of the application procedure, and of the termination of the employment relationship with the foreign national, within three days of the date of the change or of the termination of employment. The right of residence shall also terminate as of the date of termination of the employment relationship.

(20) The applicant shall be notified of decisions taken on the basis of the application under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 24j. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) (Amended, SG No. 39/2024) A permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker shall be issued to a foreign national who meets the conditions for obtaining access to the labour market under Bulgarian legislation and holds a visa under Art. 15(1).

(2) When applying for the permit under para. 1, the foreign national must reside outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(3) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued for the term of the employment contract, but for not less than 90 days and not more than 9 months within any 12-month period. The permit may be extended once within the 9-month period where the employment contract is extended with the same employer or where the employer changes.

(4) Where the permit under para. 1 expires while an extension or renewal procedure is in progress, the foreign national shall have the right to reside in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until a decision on the application is taken, provided that the application was submitted within the period of validity of the permit under para. 1 and the maximum period under para. 3 has not expired.

(5) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued under an accelerated procedure to foreign nationals who have worked at least once in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as seasonal workers during the last 5 years.

(6) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall provide information on all documents required for obtaining a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers, including on the rights and obligations of the foreign national arising therefrom.

(7) For the issue of the permit under para. 1, the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall submit a written application to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior.

(8) The application under para. 7 shall be submitted in a standard form in accordance with the rules for implementation of the Act, shall state an electronic address for correspondence and shall be accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, showing the pages with the photograph and personal data; the passport or substitute document must have been issued within the last 10 years and its period of validity must cover at least the period of validity of the permit under para. 1;

2. a declaration by the employer that the foreign national has been provided with suitable accommodation meeting all safety and health requirements until the expiry of the term of the contract, or other evidence of accommodation provided;

3. (repealed, SG No. 39/2024)

4. a declaration by the employer that the conditions of work and pay have been complied with and that they are not less favourable than the conditions for Bulgarian citizens for the relevant category of work;

5. (amended, SG No. 39/2024) a copy, certified by the employer, of a fixed-term employment contract concluded under the terms of Bulgarian legislation, for a position with a code under the National Classification of Occupations and Positions, 2011, signed by the parties and entering into force on the date of receipt of the foreign national’s residence document, and a copy of the job description where it forms an integral part of the contract;

6. a document showing that the conditions for practising a profession included in the List of Regulated Professions in the Republic of Bulgaria under Art. 3 of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act have been met;

7. a document showing that the employer carries on activity in the economic sectors included in the List of Economic Sectors under Art. 25 of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act;

8. other documents required under Bulgarian legislation for occupying the position indicated by the employer, where such are necessary;

9. (new, SG No. 39/2024) a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence, upon the initial submission of an application for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(9) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application under para. 7 has been submitted to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, it shall be sent, together with the documents attached thereto, immediately by electronic means to the Migration Directorate and to the State Agency for National Security, and the application with the attached documents shall also be sent in original within three days, accompanied by an address verification document if there are doubts that the foreign national will not live at the stated address.

(10) The Migration Directorate shall check the documents received and, where a document is missing or where additional documents under para. 8 need to be submitted, shall notify the applicant of these circumstances by electronic means and shall set a 7-day time limit for remedying the irregularities.

(11) Where the documents are not submitted within the time limit under para. 10, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the Director shall terminate the proceedings for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(12) (Amended, SG No. 39/2024) The Migration Directorate shall send by electronic means to the Employment Agency the applications under para. 7 in respect of which the proceedings have not been terminated, together with the documents attached thereto, within 14 days of submission of the application, and the documents under para. 8, item 3 shall also be sent in original. When applying for extension of seasonal employment, a statement of the foreign national’s authorised right of residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall also be attached to the application. The application and the attached documents shall also be sent by electronic means to the State Agency for National Security, which, within 14 days of their receipt, shall send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act where the person is in the territory of the country, and in the cases under para. 17, within three days after giving an opinion on the visa application under Art. 15(1).

(13) (Supplemented, SG No. 39/2024) The Executive Director of the Employment Agency, or officials authorised by the Executive Director, shall send by electronic means to the Migration Directorate a written opinion on the existence or absence of grounds for granting access to the labour market within 10 days of receipt of the application at the Employment Agency. In the cases under para. 5, this time limit shall be 5 days.

(14) Where irregularities in the documents are found, or where additional documents need to be submitted by the applicant, the Employment Agency shall notify the Migration Directorate by electronic means within 7 days. The time limit under para. 13 shall cease to run until the irregularities are remedied or the required documents are received.

(15) The Migration Directorate shall notify the applicant by electronic means of the circumstances under para. 14 and shall set a 7-day time limit for remedying the irregularities or for submitting the required documents. Where the irregularities are not remedied or the documents are not submitted within the time limit under the first sentence, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the Director shall terminate the proceedings for the issue of the permit under para. 1 and shall notify the Employment Agency.

(16) (Amended, SG No. 39/2024) The Migration Directorate shall send by electronic means to the employer, within three days of receipt of positive opinions under para. 13, a notice stating that there are grounds for granting the foreign national access to the labour market. The notice shall also be sent to the Consular Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(17) The employer shall notify the foreign national of the notice under para. 16, and within 20 days of the notice under para. 16 being sent to the employer, the foreign national must take steps to submit an application for the issue of a visa under Art. 15(1). In cases of refusal to issue a visa under Art. 15(1), the Consular Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the Migration Directorate.

(18) (Amended, SG No. 39/2024, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Within 7 days of the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall be obliged to appear with the foreign national at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and to attach to the application under para. 7 a copy of the foreign national’s passport containing the page with the affixed visa, and compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of at least three months, pending the issue of a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker. Where the documents are not submitted within the time limit under the first sentence, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the Director shall terminate the proceedings for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(19) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the Director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker within three days of submission of the documents under para. 18.

(20) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) After a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker has been issued, a document shall be issued by the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with “seasonal worker” entered in the “type of permit” field. Upon a change of employer, and after submission of an opinion by the Employment Agency in compliance with the conditions laid down in paras. 7 – 15, a new permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker and a document in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 shall be issued, with a period of validity up to the term of the permit originally issued.

(21) The employer shall notify the Migration Directorate of the termination of the employment relationship with the foreign national within three days of the date of termination of the employment.

(22) The procedure for the issue of a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker may not take longer than two months.

(23) Until the proceedings are concluded, the employer or a person authorised by the employer may withdraw the application submitted, which shall constitute grounds for terminating the proceedings.

(24) Where the application for the issue of a permit under para. 1 is rejected through the fault of the employer, the employer shall owe the foreign national compensation in accordance with Bulgarian legislation.

(25) The applicant shall be notified of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 7 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(26) (New, SG No. 39/2024) After the expiry of the authorised maximum period of residence, the foreign national may continue to reside in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, without needing to leave the territory of the country, if he or she has been issued a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria other than that under para. 1, Art. 24i, Art. 33j and Art. 33o.

Art. 24k. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2017) In order to perform seasonal work for a period of up to 90 days without interruption, the foreign national must hold a valid short-stay visa for the purposes of seasonal work, where such is required, and the employment must be registered by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in accordance with the procedure of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act and the rules for its implementation.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) The employment under para. 1 shall also be registered where the foreign national is exempt from the visa requirement in accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

(3) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The foreign national may continue to work for the same employer or change employer for the term of the new employment contract, but for not more than 180 consecutive days within any 12 months of the initial registration, without having to leave the territory of the country or to hold a visa under Art. 15(1). The foreign national shall submit an application in a standard form in accordance with the rules for implementation of the Act to the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior 30 days before the expiry of his or her lawful stay in the territory of the country, accompanied by the documents under Art. 24j(8).

(4) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall check the documents received and, where a document is missing or where additional documents under Art. 24j(8) need to be submitted, the applicant shall be notified of these circumstances by electronic means and a 7-day time limit shall be set for remedying the irregularities.

(5) (New, SG No. 39/2024) Where the documents are not submitted within the time limit under para. 4, the Director of the Migration Directorate or the Director of the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior, or officials authorised by them, shall terminate the proceedings for the issue of a permit under para. 3.

(6) (New, SG No. 39/2024, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) For the issue of a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker in the cases under para. 3, the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall send by electronic means the application with the attached documents to the Employment Agency and to the State Agency for National Security, which, within 14 days of their receipt, shall send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act. The permit shall be issued under an accelerated procedure to foreign nationals who have worked at least once in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as seasonal workers during the last 5 years.

(7) (New, SG No. 39/2024, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) The Executive Director of the Employment Agency or officials authorised by the Executive Director shall send by electronic means to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sectors and groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior a written opinion on the existence or absence of grounds for granting access to the labour market within 10 days of receipt of the application at the Employment Agency, and under the accelerated procedure the time limit shall be 5 days.

(8) (New, SG No. 39/2024) Where an irregularity in the documents is found, or where additional documents need to be submitted by the applicant, the Employment Agency shall notify the Migration Directorate by electronic means within 5 days. The time limit under para. 7 shall cease to run until the irregularity is remedied or the necessary documents are provided.

(9) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the applicant by electronic means of the circumstances under para. 8 and shall set a 7-day time limit for remedying the irregularity or for providing the necessary documents. Where the irregularity is not remedied or the necessary documents are not provided within the time limit under the first sentence, the Director of the Migration Directorate or the Director of the regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior, or officials authorised by them, shall terminate the proceedings for granting residence.

(10) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The Director of the Migration Directorate or the Director of the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior, or officials authorised by them, shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker within three days of submission of the opinion of the Employment Agency.

(11) (New, SG No. 39/2024) After a permit for extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker has been issued, a document shall be issued by the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with “seasonal worker” entered in the “type of permit” field.

(12) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The employer shall notify the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior of the termination of the employment relationship with the foreign national within three days of the date of termination of the employment.

(13) (New, SG No. 39/2024) The procedure for granting extended residence for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker may not take longer than 30 days.

(14) (New, SG No. 39/2024) Until the proceedings are concluded, the employer or a person authorised by the employer may withdraw the application submitted, which shall constitute grounds for terminating the proceedings.

(15) (New, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application for the issue of a permit under para. 3 is rejected through the fault of the employer, the employer shall owe compensation to the foreign national in accordance with Bulgarian legislation.

(16) (New, SG No. 39/2024, former para. 15, SG No. 52/2025) The applicant shall be notified of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 3 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 24l. (New, SG No. 97/2017) (1) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) A family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has exercised his or her right of free movement and who holds a valid residence document as a family member of a Union citizen, issued by another Member State of the European Union, shall submit an application to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or to the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior for the issue of a residence card, issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement (OJ L 188/67 of 12 July 2019), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2019/1157”, certifying his or her right of extended residence, for which a temporary certificate shall be issued to him or her immediately.

(2) The application under para. 1 shall be submitted within three months of the date of the person’s entry into the Republic of Bulgaria and shall be accompanied by:

1. a valid passport;

2. documents evidencing the family relationship;

3. a document evidencing payment of the state fee;

4. documents evidencing lawful residence in the other Member State;

5. medical documents concerning the existence of serious health grounds requiring personal care by the Bulgarian citizen, where applicable.

(3) The residence card of a family member of a Union citizen, certifying his or her right of extended residence, shall be issued within three months of submission of the application and shall be valid for 5 years.

(4) Where any of the documents under para. 2 is missing, the person shall be given a 14-day time limit, from notification, for submitting it, until the expiry of which the time limit under para. 3 shall cease to run. Where the requested documents are not submitted within the time limit set, the administrative authority shall take steps to terminate the proceedings in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 24m. (New, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) (1) In the cases under Art. 24(1), item 17, the permit for extended residence shall be issued on the basis of the act under Art. 27 of the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act.

(2) For the duration of their stay in the country, foreign nationals who have obtained a permit under para. 1 shall enjoy the rights of persons with authorised permanent residence, with the exception of the right under Art. 35(2).

(3) A permit under para. 1 shall not be issued to persons who do not hold identity documents and who refuse to cooperate in the identification of their identity.

Art. 24n. (New, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) (1) In the cases under Art. 24(1), item 21, the permit for extended residence shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals, with “volunteer” entered in the “type of permit” field.

(2) The period of validity of the permit under para. 1 shall correspond to the term of the agreement with the host organisation, but shall not exceed one year.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 34/2019) The Migration Directorate, the Migration department/sector/group at the Sofia Directorate of Interior or the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the applicant in writing of the permit under para. 1 not later than 14 days from the date of submission of the application.

(4) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued in accordance with a procedure laid down in the rules for implementation of the Act.

(5) In the cases under para. 1, the period of validity of the foreign national’s passport or substitute document shall cover at least the requested period of residence.

Art. 24o. (New, SG No. 21/2021) (1) (Amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) A permit for extended residence may be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1), have been issued by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry a certificate for a high-technology and/or innovative project, called a “Startup Visa”, and who, after the issue of the long-stay visa, have become partners or shareholders in a Bulgarian commercial company, and who hold not less than 50 per cent of the capital of the company, whose scope of activity is that declared upon the issue of the certificate.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) The Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry shall immediately notify the Migration Directorate of any change in the circumstances relating to the certificate issued for a high-technology and/or innovative project which results in failure to meet the requirements for the issue of the certificate, which shall constitute grounds for withdrawal of the right of residence granted.

(3) The conditions and procedure for the issue, extension and withdrawal of the certificate for a high-technology and/or innovative project shall be laid down in an ordinance of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 24p. (New, SG No. 52/2025) (1) A permit for extended residence of up to one year may be obtained by foreign nationals who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) and have been admitted as medical residents (specialisation trainees) in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) An application for the issue of a permit under para. 1 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in a standard form in accordance with the rules for implementation of the Act, and the foreign national shall attach to it:

1. a copy of a valid passport or a substitute document, showing the pages with the photograph, the personal data, the visa under Art. 15(1), where such is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; the original passport or substitute document shall also be presented for verification of the authenticity of the copy;

2. evidence of accommodation provided;

3. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

4. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage, the minimum scholarship or the minimum pension, for the period of residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

5. a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence, upon the initial submission of the application;

6. a certificate of his or her admission to specialisation in the Republic of Bulgaria, issued by the Ministry of Education and Science;

7. a certificate issued by the higher education institution that the foreign national is a specialisation trainee during the relevant year;

8. evidence of payment of the enrolment fee at the higher education institution, to be presented after the person’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(3) The application under para. 2 shall be submitted within 14 days after the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and shall be examined within 30 days after its submission. In cases of legal and factual complexity and where additional documents need to be submitted, this time limit may be extended by one month, of which the foreign national shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents and information must be submitted within 14 days. Where the additional documents and information are not submitted within the time limit indicated, the proceedings shall be terminated and the application shall not be subject to re-examination.

(4) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall coordinate each application with the State Agency for National Security, which, within 14 days of its receipt, shall send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act.

(5) After a permit for extended residence under para. 1 has been issued, a document shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002.

(6) Foreign nationals shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the applications under para. 2 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 24q. (New, SG No. 52/2025) (1) In the cases under Art. 24(1), item 23, the permit for extended residence shall be issued, in addition to where the conditions laid down in Art. 24(2) and the rules for implementation of the Act are met, if the foreign national proves an average annual income of not less than 50 (fifty) minimum monthly wages under the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria for the preceding calendar year. For the purposes of determining the amount of income, the gross amount of income received shall be taken into account.

(2) The period of validity of the permit under para. 1 shall be one year. The permit may be extended once for a further year. Where the permit under para. 1 expires while an extension procedure is in progress, the foreign national shall have the right to reside in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until a decision on the application is taken, provided that the application was submitted within the period of validity of the permit under para. 1.

Art. 25. (1) (Former text of Art. 25, SG No. 36/2009) A permanent residence permit may be obtained by foreign nationals:

1. (amended, SG No. 9/2011) of Bulgarian origin;

2. (amended, SG No. 29/2007, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 108/2013) five years after the conclusion of a civil marriage with a foreign national permanently residing in the country, who have resided lawfully and continuously for a period of 5 years in the territory of the country, whereby, in the case of marriage to a foreign national with authorised permanent residence under item 6, 7 or 8, the requirements for residence in the country shall not apply;

3. (amended, SG No. 29/2007, supplemented, SG No. 34/2019) who are minor children (under 14) or minor children (aged 14 to 18) of a Bulgarian citizen or of a foreign national permanently residing in the country and who have not married;

4. (amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended and supplemented, SG No. 23/2013) who are parents of a Bulgarian citizen, where the Bulgarian citizen provides them with the maintenance due by law, and who have resided lawfully and continuously for a period of three years in the territory of the country;

5. (amended, SG No. 29/2007, repealed, SG No. 9/2011, new, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 70/2013) who have resided lawfully and without interruption in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria during the last 5 years preceding the submission of the application for permanent residence and who have not been absent for more than 30 months during that period, whereby in the cases under Art. 24c only half of the period of residence shall be taken into account;

6. (amended, SG No. 11/2005, amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 21/2021) who have made an investment or increased their investment by acquiring:

(a) shares or bonds of Bulgarian commercial companies traded on a regulated market or multilateral trading facility in the Republic of Bulgaria, with a market value of not less than BGN 2,000,000;

(b) rights under concession contracts in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a contract value of not less than BGN 1,000,000;

(c) units or shares with a value of not less than BGN 1,000,000 in collective investment schemes originating in the Republic of Bulgaria, operating in accordance with the Activities of Collective Investment Schemes and Other Undertakings for Collective Investment Act, and provided that:

(aa) the net asset value of each collective investment scheme is not less than BGN 5,000,000;

(bb) the collective investment scheme has obtained a licence or authorisation from the Financial Supervision Commission;

(cc) their investment strategy is directed mainly at investments in shares and/or bonds under letter (a);

(d) units or shares with a value of not less than BGN 1,000,000 in alternative investment funds established in the Republic of Bulgaria, managed by alternative investment fund managers originating in the Republic of Bulgaria, operating in accordance with the Activities of Collective Investment Schemes and Other Undertakings for Collective Investment Act, and provided that:

(aa) the assets of each fund have a value of not less than BGN 3,000,000;

(bb) the alternative investment funds and the alternative investment fund managers are licensed or registered by the Financial Supervision Commission;

(cc) their investment strategy is directed mainly at investments in Bulgarian assets and they invest exclusively in units, shares and bonds of Bulgarian companies, including special purpose investment companies;

7. (new, SG No. 36/2009, repealed, SG No. 16/2013, new, SG No. 108/2013, amended, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) who have invested in the country by contributing to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company an amount of not less than BGN 2,000,000 for a priority investment project carried out by the company and certified under the conditions and procedure of the Investment Promotion Act, as certified by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry;

8. (new, SG No. 36/2009) who have contributed to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company whose shares are not traded on a regulated market an amount of not less than BGN 6,000,000;

9. (new, SG No. 42/2001, former item 7, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 52/2025) who are not persons of Bulgarian origin, were born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, have lost their Bulgarian citizenship under emigration agreements or have been released from Bulgarian citizenship, and wish to settle permanently in the territory of the country;

10. (new, SG No. 37/2003, former item 8, SG No. 36/2009) who, by 27 December 1998, entered, reside or were born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and whose parent has concluded a civil marriage with a Bulgarian citizen;

11. (new, SG No. 29/2007, former item 9, SG No. 36/2009, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) who are family members of a Bulgarian citizen, if they have resided lawfully and continuously in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria during the last five years;

12. (new, SG No. 9/2011) who, by 27 December 1998, entered, reside in and have not left the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, or were born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and have not been recognised as citizens of the former Soviet republics; the requirement of Art. 15(1) shall not apply to this category of persons;

13. (new, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) who carry on activity and are certified under the procedure of the Investment Promotion Act, as certified by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry in accordance with Art. 25c;

14. (new, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 24/2019, effective 01.07.2020, amended as regards entry into force, SG No. 101/2019) who are minor children (under 14) or minor children (aged 14 to 18) born and abandoned by a parent/parents who is/are a foreign citizen/citizens in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and who have been placed in a social or integrated health and social service for residential care as a protection measure;

15. (new, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 24/2019, effective 01.07.2020, amended as regards entry into force, SG No. 101/2019) who are minor children (under 14) or minor children (aged 14 to 18) abandoned by a parent/parents who is/are a foreign citizen/citizens in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and who have been placed in a social or integrated health and social service for residential care as a protection measure;

16. (new, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 14/2015, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) who have made an investment in the country by contributing to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company not less than BGN 500,000, whereby the foreign national is a partner or shareholder with registered shares and holds not less than 50 per cent of the capital of the company, and as a result of the investment new tangible and intangible fixed assets with a value of not less than BGN 500,000 have been acquired and at least 10 jobs for Bulgarian citizens have been created and maintained for the period of residence, as certified by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry; the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry shall issue the certificate after the Bulgarian commercial company has stated reasons for the need for the foreign national’s residence for the implementation and maintenance of the investment;

17. (new, SG No. 108/2013) who have obtained a permit for extended residence under Art. 24(1), items 19 and 20 and have maintained the investment for 5 years.

(2) (New, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, supplemented, SG No. 108/2013, amended, SG No. 21/2021, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) The procedure for establishing the circumstances and conditions under para. 1, as well as the conditions and procedure for carrying out the check and assessment under para. 7 and the prior approval for making investments, shall be laid down in the rules for implementation of the Act. The circumstances under para. 1, items 6, 8 and 17 shall be established by the Bulgarian Investment Agency. The investments under para. 1, item 6, letters (a), (c) and (d), as well as their maintenance, shall be certified by the central securities depository with which the securities are registered. The central securities depository shall provide the information to the Bulgarian Investment Agency. For the grant of permanent residence, a criminal record certificate issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of his or her habitual residence shall also be presented, upon the initial submission of an application for the issue of a permit under para. 1. Where the foreign national has been granted extended residence in the territory of the country, the criminal record certificate in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be attached ex officio by the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sectors/groups at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 34/2019) An application for the grant of a permanent residence permit shall be submitted in person to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration sector/group at the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior. The Director of the Migration Directorate or a person authorised by the Director shall take a decision on the application within two months of its submission, and in cases of legal and factual complexity and where additional documents need to be submitted, the time limit may be extended by a further two months. The permit shall be issued in accordance with a procedure laid down in the rules for implementation of the Act.

(4) (New, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 79/2024, amended, SG No. 55/2026) In the cases under para. 1, items 13 and 16, for the purposes of the assessment upon the issue of the certificate by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry, use may be made of the annual financial statements and management reports of the enterprise audited by an auditor registered under the Independent Financial Audit and Sustainability Assurance Act, statements from the National Revenue Agency and the municipalities, and/or other relevant documents submitted by the investor or the foreign national or collected ex officio.

(5) (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) Minor children (under 14) born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria who apply for the right of extended and permanent residence shall not be required to hold a visa under Art. 15(1).

(6) (New, SG No. 34/2019) A permanent residence permit may not be obtained by foreign nationals who have obtained a permit for extended residence on the grounds of Art. 28a, except where foreign nationals who have reached 18 years of age have been granted a permit for extended residence on humanitarian grounds.

(7) (New, SG No. 21/2021) A foreign national applying for the grant of a permanent residence permit under para. 1, item 6 shall make the investment after a check and assessment by the Bulgarian Investment Agency of the documents submitted by him or her:

1. which identify the person beyond doubt;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) evidencing available funds in an amount not less than the minimum threshold for the relevant investment, paid into his or her payment account;

3. which show a clear origin of the funds for the investment;

4. which show whether the foreign national is a politically exposed person within the meaning of Art. 36 of the Measures Against Money Laundering Act;

5. concerning employment, professional and investment activity;

6. a criminal record certificate from the state of origin or the state of permanent residence.

(8) (New, SG No. 21/2021) The foreign national shall, where necessary, also provide other documents and information requested by the Bulgarian Investment Agency.

(9) (New, SG No. 21/2021) The Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security shall, upon request, provide the Bulgarian Investment Agency with an opinion based on the information under Art. 10 within their competence.

(10) (New, SG No. 21/2021) The prior approval for making investments issued by the Bulgarian Investment Agency on the basis of the check and assessment under para. 7 shall not constitute grounds for the issue of a visa under Art. 15(1) or for the grant of a right of residence.

(11) (New, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025, amended, SG No. 55/2026) The investments under para. 1, items 6, 8 and 16 must be maintained above the minimum amount required by law for a period of 5 years from the date of grant of the right of permanent residence. Foreign nationals who have been granted a right of permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria shall immediately declare to the Bulgarian Investment Agency or, respectively, the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry, any change in the circumstances relating to the investments made by them and shall provide evidence thereof. After the expiry of the 5-year period, foreign nationals who have been granted a right of permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be entitled to terminate or change their investment without this affecting the right of permanent residence granted.

(12) (New, SG No. 21/2021) The rights and assets acquired as a result of the investments under para. 1, items 6 and 8 may not be used as collateral for loans from credit and financial institutions for the period under para. 11.

(13) (New, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) Subsequent control of the circumstances under para. 1, items 6, 8 and 17 shall be exercised by the Bulgarian Investment Agency, and under para. 1, items 7, 13 and 16, by the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry.

Art. 25a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) A residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria may be obtained, even where the requirements of this Act are not met, by foreign nationals who have rendered services to the Republic of Bulgaria in the public and economic sphere, in the field of national security, science, technology, culture or sport, or where there is a state interest.

Art. 25b. (New, SG No. 52/2007, amended, SG No. 9/2011, repealed, SG No. 34/2019, new, SG No. 52/2025) The right of permanent residence of a foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria shall terminate automatically upon acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship. In cases of release from or deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship or of revocation of naturalisation, the right of residence shall not be restored automatically.

Art. 25c. (New, SG No. 16/2013) (1) A permanent residence permit on the grounds of Art. 25(1), item 13 may be obtained by a foreign national who carries on activity in the implementation and/or maintenance of an investment that has received a class A or class B certificate, or a certificate for a priority investment project, under the procedure of Art. 20(1), item 1 of the Investment Promotion Act.

(2) In the Bulgarian commercial company with an investment that has received a certificate under Art. 20(1), item 1 of the Investment Promotion Act, the foreign national under para. 1 must be:

1. a partner or shareholder with registered shares holding 50 per cent or more of the registered capital of the company;

2. a person representing the company or a procurator entered in the Commercial Register, or

3. employed under an employment contract to perform a key and/or control function in the research, production, marketing or other core activity of the enterprise, or other activity necessary for the purposes of the investment.

(3) Not later than the third year from the date of commencement of work on the investment project, the competent body of the commercial company under para. 2 shall certify that the minimum threshold for the issue of a class B investment certificate under the procedure of the Investment Promotion Act has been reached as regards the investments made and put into operation and/or the employment created, measured as the average number of staff on the payroll.

(4) The total number of persons under para. 2 who may obtain a permit for residence in the country on the grounds of Art. 25(1), item 13 in connection with the implementation and maintenance of one investment project shall be:

1. until the requirement under para. 3 is met: up to three persons;

2. after the requirement under para. 3 is met, during the period of maintenance of the investment and the jobs: up to 8 persons.

(5) The requirements of Art. 13 of the Investment Promotion Act shall apply to the Bulgarian commercial company and to the person under para. 2.

(6) (Amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 22/2022, effective 18.03.2022, amended, SG No. 55/2026) The Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry shall issue a certificate of compliance with the requirements under paras. 2 – 5, to be used before the services for administrative control of foreign nationals. The certificate shall be issued after the Bulgarian commercial company under para. 2 has stated reasons for the need for the foreign national’s residence for the implementation and maintenance of the investment and after the company has undertaken to inform the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry immediately in the event of termination of its relationship with the natural person.

Art. 25d. (New, SG No. 97/2017) (1) A family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has been granted extended residence under the procedure of Art. 24l shall have the right of permanent residence if he or she has resided lawfully and continuously for a period of 5 years in the Republic of Bulgaria together with the Bulgarian citizen, or if he or she has resided lawfully and continuously for a period of 5 years in the Republic of Bulgaria in the cases under Art. 24(9), (10) and (11).

(2) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) For the issuance of a residence card issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 certifying his or her right of permanent residence, the person under para. 1 shall submit an application to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or to the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior two months before the expiry of the period of extended residence.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) A residence card issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 certifying his or her right of permanent residence shall be issued within one month of the submission of the application.

Art. 25e. (New, SG No. 14/2018, amended, SG No. 1/2019) Military personnel and members of the civilian component of a structure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) stationed in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as their dependants, shall reside in the Republic of Bulgaria without the requirements of this Act having to be met. The period of residence may be longer than one year.

Art. 26. (1) (Former text of Art. 26, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The issuance of a residence permit or the extension of the period of residence shall be refused in the cases under Art. 10(1), items 1 – 4, 6 – 11, 14, 16, 18 – 23 and 26.

(2) (New, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 70/2013, effective 24.12.2013, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, supplemented, SG No. 97/2017, supplemented, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018, amended, SG No. 34/2019, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) The issuance of a residence permit or the extension of the period of residence in the country shall be refused to a foreign national who has been found not to meet the conditions under Art. 24, 24a – 24d, 24f, 24h, 24i, 24j, 24l, 24m, 24n, 24o, 24p and 24q, 25, 33a, 33d and 33j – 33l, 33o and 33r.

(3) (New, SG No. 42/2001, supplemented, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 9/2011) The issuance of a residence permit or the extension of the period of residence shall be refused to a foreign national who has concluded a marriage with a Bulgarian citizen or with a foreign national, or who has been adopted by a Bulgarian citizen or by a foreign national, who has obtained a residence permit, where there is evidence that the marriage was concluded or the adoption was effected solely for the purpose of circumventing the rules governing the regime of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria and of obtaining a residence permit.

(4) (New, SG No. 42/2001, amended and supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) The assessment for refusal of the permit under para. 3 shall be carried out by the services for administrative control of foreign nationals on the basis of evidence giving grounds for a reasoned conclusion that the marriage was concluded or the adoption was effected solely for the purpose of circumventing the rules governing the regime of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria and of obtaining a residence permit. Such evidence may be:

1. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the fact that the spouses, or the adoptee and the adopter, do not live together;

2. the lack of contribution to the obligations arising from the marriage;

3. the fact that the spouses had not met before the conclusion of the marriage;

4. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the provision of contradictory information about the personal data of the other spouse or of the adoptee (name, address, nationality, profession), about the circumstances in which they met, or about other important personal information;

5. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the fact that the spouses, or the adoptee and the adopter, do not speak a language understood by both;

6. the payment of a sum of money for the conclusion of the marriage other than the customary dowry;

7. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the existence of previous marriages or adoptions concluded for the purpose of circumventing the rules governing the regime of foreign nationals;

8. (new, SG No. 9/2011) the fact that the marriage was concluded or the adoption was effected after the foreign national obtained a residence permit.

(5) (New, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 37/2003) The evidence under para. 4 may be established through interviews conducted by officials of the services for administrative control of foreign nationals, from statements of the persons concerned or of third parties, by documentary means, or from checks and investigations carried out by state authorities. The services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall be obliged to hear the persons concerned.

(6) (*) (New, SG No. 9/2011) In the cases under Art. 10(1), item 19, a residence permit may be issued on humanitarian grounds or on grounds related to the fulfilment of international obligations, after consultation with the Member State which issued the alert for refusal of entry.

(7) (New, SG No. 9/2011) The onset of diseases after the initial issuance of a residence permit under Chapter Three A to a foreign national and to his or her family members, as well as after the issuance of a residence permit to the family members of a foreign national on grounds of family reunification, may not be a ground for refusal to extend the period of residence.

(8) (New, SG No. 9/2011) A refusal to grant long-term residence status may not be based on the circumstances under Art. 10(1), item 8. When assessing a refusal to grant long-term residence status, account shall be taken of the duration of residence of the foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria, his or her age, state of health, family situation, social integration, existing ties in the country or the absence of ties with the country of origin.

(9) (New, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) The issuance of a residence permit or the extension of the period of residence shall be refused to a foreign national where the permit granted or the documents submitted have been obtained by fraud or are false or forged.

(10) (New, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021, amended and supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) The extension of the period of residence shall be refused where the foreign national resides in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for purposes other than those for which his or her residence was authorised – in the cases under Art. 24(1), item 21, Art. 24b, 24c, 24o and 24q, with the exception of Art. 24b(18) and Art. 24c(13).

(11) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The issuance of a residence permit or the extension of the period of residence shall be refused where it is established that the employer’s undertaking has been established or operates for the main purpose of facilitating the entry and residence of foreign nationals. In such cases, the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior shall refer the matter to the State Agency for National Security and to the prosecution authorities.

(12) (New, SG No. 9/2011, former para. 9, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018, former para. 11, SG No. 52/2025) A refusal to issue a residence permit or to extend the period of residence shall state the reasons therefor, shall be communicated to the persons concerned and may be appealed under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(13) (New, SG No. 21/2021, former para. 12, SG No. 52/2025) The reasons for refusals to issue residence permits or to extend the period of residence under Art. 10(1), items 1 – 3, as well as where the disclosure of the data and circumstances on the basis of which the decision was taken affects or could directly affect the foreign policy and international relations of the Republic of Bulgaria or national security, shall be set out in a separate document drawn up by the respective competent authorities. Where that document contains classified information, it shall be drawn up under the procedure of the Classified Information Protection Act.

Art. 26a. (New, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 11/2005, repealed, SG No. 63/2005)

Art. 26b. (New, SG No. 67/2023) (1) When examining an application for the issuance of a residence permit or for the extension of the period of residence, or for a long-stay visa, of a foreign national in respect of whom another Member State has entered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) an alert on return or an alert for refusal of entry and stay, the services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall conduct prior consultations with the Member State concerned in accordance with Art. 9 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1860 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the use of the Schengen Information System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ L 312/1 of 7 December 2018), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2018/1860”, and Art. 27 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1861 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of border checks, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, and amending and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 (OJ L 312/14 of 7 December 2018), hereinafter referred to as “Regulation (EU) 2018/1861”.

(2) The state authorities participating in the procedures for examining applications for the issuance of a residence permit, for the extension of the period of residence or for a long-stay visa of a foreign national shall be informed of the outcome of the prior consultations conducted under para. 1.

Art. 27. (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) (1) The period of validity and/or the duration of stay of an issued Schengen visa may be extended up to 90 days within any 180-day period if the foreign national provides proof of force majeure or of humanitarian reasons preventing him or her from leaving the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the period of validity or of the duration of stay authorised by the visa. The extension shall be carried out free of charge.

(2) The period of validity and/or the duration of stay under an issued Schengen visa may be extended up to 90 days within any 180-day period if the foreign national provides proof of serious personal reasons justifying the extension of the period of validity or of the duration of stay. A fee shall be payable for the extension of the period of validity of a visa.

(3) The territorial validity of the extended visa shall remain the same as that of the visa as originally issued, unless the competent authority, in the decision extending the validity of the visa, expressly limits it to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(4) The Migration Directorate and the Migration departments/sectors/groups at the Sofia Directorate of Interior and the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall extend the period of validity of the visa of a foreign national who is in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria at the time of submission of the application for extension. The State Agency for National Security shall be notified of each extension of a Schengen visa, stating the reasons, the grounds and the period of extension of the validity or of the duration of stay.

(5) The foreign national shall submit an application in the form specified in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Act before the expiry of the authorised period of residence, accompanied by the following documents:

1. a passport or substitute travel document with a period of validity exceeding the period of the requested visa extension by at least three months, together with copies of the pages bearing the photograph and the personal data;

2. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, accommodation and medical insurance for the period of the requested visa extension;

3. documents proving the existence of force majeure or humanitarian reasons, or substantiating the existence of serious personal reasons within the meaning of paras. 1 and 2.

(6) The extension of the period of validity of visas shall be effected by affixing a visa sticker.

(7) Information on visas with an extended period of validity shall be entered in the Visa Information System in accordance with Art. 14 of Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) (OJ L 218/60 of 13 August 2008).

(8) The period of stay of a person under Art. 23a may be extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without observing the limitations under paras. 1 and 2, under a procedure established by an act of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 27a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, supplemented, SG No. 28/2008, supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) State and municipal authorities which, by virtue of a statutory instrument, register foreign nationals or activities carried out by foreign nationals shall be obliged to check the type and grounds of the visas issued to the foreign nationals. Where discrepancies are found between the registration requested and the type and grounds of the visa issued, the registration shall not be carried out and the services for administrative control of foreign nationals and the State Agency for National Security shall be notified immediately.

Art. 27b. (New, SG No. 42/2001) (1) Officials who, as a result of the activities they carry out, establish a change in the legal status or in the activities of foreign nationals shall be obliged to notify the services for administrative control of foreign nationals immediately.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) In cases of withdrawal or termination of the right of permanent or long-term residence of a foreign national, the services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall immediately notify the civil registration authorities.

Art. 28. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) (Amended, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 11/2005, repealed, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006)

(2) (Repealed, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006)

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 11/2005, amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) A natural or legal person who has provided short-term shelter to a foreign national shall, within 3 days of providing the shelter, notify in writing the service for administrative control of foreign nationals or the district office of the Ministry of Interior at his, her or its location of that circumstance, stating the names, date of birth, citizenship, and the number and series of the identity document of the foreign national.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 17/2020, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) Persons engaged in hotel-keeping shall, upon accommodating a foreign national, register him or her immediately in the register under Art. 116(1) of the Tourism Act, in which they shall enter the full names of the foreign national as stated in the passport or substitute travel document, the date and year of birth, citizenship, the number of the passport or substitute travel document, as well as the period of his or her stay at the tourist site.

(5) (New, SG No. 37/2003, repealed, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006, new, SG No. 52/2025) Upon a change of the address of residence, foreign nationals who have been granted the right of extended, permanent or long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be obliged, within 30 days, to declare that circumstance to the services for administrative control of foreign nationals and to submit an application for the issuance of a Bulgarian identity document.

(6) (Former para. 5, SG No. 37/2003, repealed, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006)

(7) (Former para. 6, amended, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 63/2005, effective 01.01.2006) The residence in the Republic of Bulgaria of the persons under Art. 18(2) and Art. 24(1), item 14 shall not be included in the period required for obtaining a permanent residence permit or for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation.

Art. 28a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 34/2019, effective 24.10.2019) (1) Unaccompanied children who are foreign nationals, as well as foreign nationals under 18 years of age who have entered the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with an accompanying person but have been abandoned by that person, who have not applied for protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act or in respect of whose applications there are final decisions refusing international protection, may be granted only extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until they reach the age of majority. The permit shall be issued under a procedure established by the Regulations for the Implementation of the Act.

(2) After the foreign nationals under para. 1 reach 18 years of age, they may be granted extended residence where there are humanitarian reasons.

(3) The Social Assistance Directorate at the place of residence of the foreign nationals under para. 1 shall determine and implement specific protection measures in accordance with the Child Protection Act following an assessment of the best interests of the child, and the State Agency for Child Protection shall coordinate, monitor and control the implementation of the protection measures determined with regard to the observance of the child’s rights until the question of the child’s residence in the Republic of Bulgaria is finally resolved, but not after the child reaches 18 years of age.

(4) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall authorise the extended residence of the foreign nationals under paras. 1 and 2 following an assessment of the possibility of returning them to a member of their family, to an appointed guardian or to suitable reception centres in their country of origin, in a third country willing to accept them, or in a country obliged to accept them by virtue of a readmission agreement with the Republic of Bulgaria, provided that their life and freedom are not threatened there and they are not at risk of persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment. The assessment shall be carried out under a procedure established in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Act.

(5) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue a refusal to authorise extended residence of the foreign nationals under paras. 1 and 2 where it is established that they can be returned. The refusal shall be subject to appeal under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(6) Family reunification of a foreign national who has obtained a right of residence under paras. 1 and 2 shall not be permitted.

Art. 29. (1) (Former text of Art. 29, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011) Foreign nationals residing on an extended, long-term or permanent basis in the Republic of Bulgaria shall certify their identity under a procedure established by law.

(2) (New, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Foreign nationals residing on an extended, long-term or permanent basis in the Republic of Bulgaria shall certify their right of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria by a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2016) The passport or substitute travel document of the foreign national must be valid for not less than three months from the date of submission of the application for the issuance of a residence permit.

(4) (New, SG No. 36/2009, former para. 3, SG No. 9/2011) The procedure for issuing the residence permit under para. 2 shall be established by an act of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 30. (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) A foreign national whose passport or substitute travel document has been lost or destroyed shall be obliged to notify the services for administrative control of foreign nationals thereof immediately.

Art. 31. (1) The documents for travel abroad of a foreign national may be temporarily seized:

1. by the respective judicial authorities, where criminal proceedings have been instituted for a publicly prosecutable offence committed;

2. by the respective officials upon placement in places for the serving of a sentence of imprisonment;

3. by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior, where there is reasonable suspicion that they are false or altered;

4. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior, where an order for expulsion, return or extradition from the country has been issued;

5. (repealed, SG No. 29/2007)

6. by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior in cases of foreign nationals returned by another country.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, items 1, 2 and 3, the officials who have seized the documents of the foreign national shall draw up a record, on the basis of which the services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall issue a temporary document establishing the identity of the person.

(3) The document for travel abroad shall be returned to the foreign national when the grounds for its temporary seizure cease to exist.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) The documents for travel abroad of foreign nationals enjoying immunity in the Republic of Bulgaria may not be seized, unless otherwise provided for in the international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

Art. 32. The documents for travel abroad of foreign nationals may not be given or accepted as a pledge, nor may they be transferred to or used by another person.

Art. 33. (Repealed, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016)

Chapter Three A. Residence of a foreign national who has obtained a long-term residence permit in another Member State of the European Union

(New, SG No. 29/2007, title amended, SG No. 9/2011)

Art. 33a. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) A foreign national who has obtained a long-term residence permit in another Member State of the European Union may obtain an extended residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria:

1. if he or she is a worker, employee or self-employed person in the Republic of Bulgaria;

2. for the purpose of education, including vocational training, at an educational establishment;

3. (new, SG No. 9/2011) for another purpose.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) An extended residence permit shall be issued to the foreign national under para. 1 if he or she meets the conditions under Art. 24(2) and presents:

1. a work permit in the Republic of Bulgaria – if he or she is a worker or employee;

2. documents showing that he or she holds an authorisation to pursue a freelance activity and has the necessary financial resources to carry on an economic activity – if he or she is a self-employed person;

3. a certificate from the educational establishment that he or she has been admitted for education for the respective academic year – if the residence is for the purpose of education;

4. (new, SG No. 9/2011) documents concerning the circumstances under Art. 24(2).

Art. 33b. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) Within three months of his or her entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the foreign national under Art. 33a(1) shall submit to the services for administrative control of foreign nationals an application for the issuance of an extended residence permit in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 21/2012, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015) The application shall be forwarded ex officio to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, which shall examine it within 4 months of the date of its submission.

(3) Where the documents under Art. 33a(2) are not attached to the application or the case is factually complex, the time limit may be extended by not more than three months. In such cases, the authorities for administrative control of foreign nationals shall immediately notify the foreign national thereof.

(4) The procedure for examining the application shall be established in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Act.

Art. 33c. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) The extended residence permit shall be issued for a period of one year.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 67/2023) The permit shall be renewed upon application by the foreign national by the services for administrative control of foreign nationals after the expiry of its term.

Art. 33d. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) Where the foreign national under Art. 33a(1) holds a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria and has a family formed in the Member State of the European Union which issued his or her long-term residence permit, the members of his or her family shall have the right to accompany or join him or her.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) In order to obtain an extended residence permit, the family members shall present to the territorial service for administrative control of foreign nationals:

1. a valid document for travel abroad;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the documents under Art. 24(2), with the exception of the documents for secured accommodation;

3. their long-term residence permit or residence permit in the other Member State of the European Union;

4. evidence that they have resided as family members of a long-term resident foreign national in the other Member State of the European Union.

(3) The period of residence of the family members shall be determined by the period of residence of the foreign national under Art. 33a(1).

(4) Where the family has not been formed under the conditions of para. 1, the general rules for entry and residence of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria shall apply to the family members of the foreign national under Art. 33a(1).

Art. 33e. (New, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 21/2012, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015) The Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the other Member State of the European Union of the right of extended residence granted to the foreign national under Art. 33a(1).

Art. 33f. (New, SG No. 29/2007, repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

Art. 33g. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) Where there are grounds for refusal or withdrawal of an extended residence permit, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall immediately and without formalities return the foreign national under Art. 33a(1) or the members of his or her family to the Member State of the European Union in which they hold a long-term residence permit.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union.

(3) (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011) The Republic of Bulgaria shall immediately and without formalities readmit a foreign national to whom it has issued a long-term residence permit, and the members of his or her family, where the right of residence has been withdrawn or refused by another Member State of the European Union.

Art. 33h. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) Where the foreign national under Art. 33a(1) or the members of his or her family pose a serious threat to public security and public order, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior or of the State Agency for National Security may expel them from the territory of the European Union even before they have obtained a right of long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria, after coordination with the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union in which they hold a long-term residence permit.

(2) In the event of expulsion, account shall be taken of the duration of residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, his or her age, state of health, family situation, social integration, as well as the existence of ties with the country of residence or the absence of ties with the person’s country of origin.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior or of the State Agency for National Security shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union of the enforcement of the expulsion decision.

(4) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) A foreign national holding an EU long-term resident’s residence permit in the first Member State on the basis of international protection granted by that Member State which has not been withdrawn may be expelled even before he or she has obtained a right of long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria if there are reasonable grounds for considering him or her a serious threat to national security, or if, having been convicted by a final judgment of a serious crime, he or she constitutes a threat to public order.

(5) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) When imposing expulsion on a foreign national who has obtained an EU long-term resident’s residence permit on the basis of international protection granted in another Member State of the European Union, the competent authority under Art. 44(1) shall, through the bodies of the State Agency for Refugees, send a request to that Member State to confirm the existence of granted international protection.

(6) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) Upon a request from another Member State, the State Agency for Refugees shall provide information on whether or not international protection has been granted by the Republic of Bulgaria within one month of receipt of the request.

(7) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) Upon confirmation of the existence of international protection, the foreign national under para. 5 and the members of his or her family shall be returned immediately to the Member State which granted the international protection.

(8) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) A foreign national whose presence in the country poses a serious threat to national security, or who, having been convicted by a final judgment of a serious crime, constitutes a threat to public order, may be expelled to a country other than the Member State which granted international protection, subject to compliance with the requirement of Art. 44a(1).

(9) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) The Republic of Bulgaria shall immediately readmit a foreign national to whom it has granted international protection, as well as the members of his or her family, where an expulsion decision has been adopted by another Member State of the European Union.

Art. 33i. (New, SG No. 9/2011) (1) A foreign national who has obtained an extended residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria as a second Member State and who acquires a right of long-term residence under the conditions of Art. 24d may be issued a long-term residence permit on the basis of an application submitted.

(2) The services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall notify the first Member State of the right of long-term residence granted to the foreign national.

(3) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) When an EU long-term resident’s residence permit is issued to a foreign national granted international protection in the first Member State, the international protection granted by the respective Member State of the European Union and the date on which it was granted shall be entered in the “remarks” field.

(4) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) The entry under para. 3 shall be made by the competent authorities of the Ministry of Interior following consultations conducted by the State Agency for Refugees with the first Member State, in which it has been confirmed that the international protection granted has not been withdrawn by a final decision.

(5) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) Upon a request from another Member State, the State Agency for Refugees shall provide information on whether or not international protection has been granted by the Republic of Bulgaria as the first Member State within one month of receipt of the request.

(6) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Where international protection is granted by the Republic of Bulgaria before the foreign national has been issued an EU long-term resident’s residence permit by the competent structures of the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency for Refugees shall notify the Member State which issued such a permit so that it may make an entry in accordance with Art. 24e(3).

(7) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) Upon a transfer of responsibility for international protection to the Republic of Bulgaria in respect of a foreign national who has been issued an EU long-term resident’s residence permit by the competent structures of the Ministry of Interior, the entry under para. 3 shall be amended in accordance with Art. 24e(3) within three months of the issuance of a Bulgarian identity document under the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act.

(8) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013) A change in the “remarks” field of an EU long-term resident’s residence permit issued by the competent structures of the Ministry of Interior shall be made on the basis of a notification from a Member State that it has assumed responsibility for the international protection of the foreign national before it issued such a permit. The amended permit shall be issued within three months of receipt of the notification.

Chapter Three B. Residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment

(New, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011)

Art. 33j. (New, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) An extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type may be obtained by foreign nationals who meet the conditions for highly qualified employment under Bulgarian legislation and:

1. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) hold a visa under Art. 15(1) or an extended residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria, which is replaced by the “EU Blue Card” type permit, or

2. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) have been granted international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria or in a Member State of the European Union within the meaning of the Asylum and Refugees Act.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) An extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type shall be issued for a period of up to 5 years, but not shorter than 24 months. Where the term of the employment contract is shorter than 24 months, the permit shall be issued for the term of the contract plus three months, but for a maximum period of 24 months. The permit under the first sentence may be renewed where there are grounds for its re-issuance.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) An application for the issuance of the permit under para. 1 shall be submitted by the employer or by a person authorised by the employer, or by the foreign national, on paper or, once the technical conditions have been created, electronically, to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, irrespective of the foreign national’s address of residence. Where the foreign national holds an extended residence permit or has been granted international protection, the application shall be submitted not later than two months before the expiry of the authorised period of extended residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Where the period of validity of the residence permit held by the foreign national under the second sentence expires before a decision on the application is taken, he or she shall be issued a document certifying that circumstance. When applying for an EU Blue Card for the first time, the foreign national shall not be required to be outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria if he or she has been granted extended residence in the country. The application for the card document shall be submitted at the foreign national’s address of residence.

(4) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall provide information on all documents required to obtain the permit, including on the rights and obligations of the foreign national arising from it.

(5) (Supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) The application shall be submitted in the form specified in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Act, shall state an electronic address for correspondence, and shall be accompanied, on paper or in electronic format depending on the manner of submission under para. 3, by:

1. a copy of the passport or substitute document, with the pages bearing the photograph and the personal data of the foreign national;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) a criminal record certificate issued by the country of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the country of his or her habitual residence – upon the initial submission of an application for the issuance of a permit under para. 1. In the cases under para. 1, item 2, the criminal record certificate shall be issued by the country which granted international protection status to the foreign national;

3. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) evidence of secured accommodation, where the foreign national has been granted extended residence in the territory of the country; an applicant who has not been granted a right of extended residence in the territory of the country shall present the evidence of secured accommodation when applying for the first time for the issuance of an “EU Blue Card” type document in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002; the same shall also be provided when submitting an application for a long-stay visa;

4. a justification for the foreign national’s access to the labour market, in which the employer:

(a) states the facts and circumstances necessitating the hiring of a foreign worker;

(b) gives reasons for refusing to hire a Bulgarian citizen, a citizen of another Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation, or a person under Art. 9(1), items 2 – 6 of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act, who meets the requirements specified in the vacancy notice;

5. (amended, SG No. 8/2023) documents on the education, specialty, legal capacity, professional qualification and/or experience of the foreign worker, legalised under the respective procedure and accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian certified by a notary or by the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, corresponding to the requirements for holding the position according to the National Classification of Occupations and Positions, 2011;

6. a declaration by the employer that the conditions of work and pay have been complied with and are not less favourable than the conditions for Bulgarian citizens for the respective category of work – upon initial submission of an application;

7. (amended, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) a copy, certified by the employer, of a fixed-term employment contract concluded under the conditions of Bulgarian legislation for a position with a code under the National Classification of Occupations and Positions, 2011, signed by the parties and entering into force on the date of obtaining the extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type, and a copy of the job description where it forms an integral part of the contract;

8. a document showing that the conditions for practising a profession included in the List of Regulated Professions in the Republic of Bulgaria under Art. 3 of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act have been met;

9. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of at least three months or until the issuance of the extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type, where the foreign national is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

10. other documents required under Bulgarian legislation for holding the position specified by the employer, where such are necessary;

11. (new, SG No. 52/2025) outside the cases under item 8, after the person’s entry into the territory of the country with a long-stay visa issued, a certificate of the National Centre for Information and Documentation on the recognition of higher education acquired by the foreign national at foreign higher education institutions shall be attached, and where the certificate is entered in the Register of Academic Recognition of the National Centre for Information and Documentation, its number and date of issue shall be stated in the application and the certificate shall not be attached; the same shall also apply when the foreign national applies for a long-stay visa.

(6) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application under para. 5 has been submitted to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, it shall be sent immediately by electronic means, together with the documents attached to it, to the Migration Directorate, accompanied by an address verification document if there are doubts that the foreign national will not live at the stated address.

(7) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) The Migration Directorate shall check the documents under para. 5 and, where a document is missing or where additional documents need to be provided, shall notify the applicant of those circumstances by electronic means and set a 10-day time limit for providing the documents. Where the documents are not presented within the time limit set, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type.

(8) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) The Migration Directorate shall send by electronic means to the Employment Agency and the State Agency for National Security the applications under para. 5 in respect of which the proceedings have not been terminated, together with the documents attached to them, within 10 days of the submission of the application. Where the foreign national has been granted extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, a statement of his or her authorised right of residence shall also be attached to the application. The Migration Directorate shall send the application with all documents by electronic means to the State Agency for National Security, which shall, within 10 days, send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act where the person is in the territory of the country, and in the cases under para. 13 – within three days after giving an opinion on the visa application under Art. 15(1).

(9) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) The Executive Director of the Employment Agency shall send to the Migration Directorate by electronic means a written opinion on whether or not there are grounds for highly qualified employment within 10 days of receipt of the application at the Employment Agency.

(10) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) Where irregularities are found in the documents, as well as where additional documents need to be provided by the applicant, the Employment Agency shall notify the Migration Directorate by electronic means within 10 days. If the Employment Agency does not notify the Migration Directorate within that time limit of irregularities in the documents or of the need for additional documents to be provided by the applicant, the documents shall be deemed to be in order and no additional documents need be provided. The time limit under para. 9 shall be suspended until the requested documents are received.

(11) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) The Migration Directorate shall notify the applicant by electronic means of the circumstances under para. 10 and set a 10-day time limit for remedying the irregularities or presenting the requested documents. Where the irregularities are not remedied or the documents are not presented within the time limit set, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1 and shall notify the Employment Agency.

(12) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate shall send the applicant by electronic means, within three days of receipt of positive opinions under para. 9, a communication stating that there are grounds for highly qualified employment of the foreign national. The communication shall also be sent to the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(13) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Within 30 days of the sending of the communication under para. 12, the foreign national must take steps to submit an application for the issuance of a visa under Art. 15(1) in the cases under para. 1. In cases of refusal to issue a visa under Art. 15(1), the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the Migration Directorate.

(14) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Within 14 days of the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall be obliged to appear with the foreign national at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and to attach to the application under para. 5 a copy of the foreign national’s passport containing the page with the affixed visa, and compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of at least three months – until the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type. Where the documents are not presented within the time limit under the first sentence, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall terminate the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1.

(15) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue or refuse to issue an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type within three days of the presentation of the documents under para. 14, where the application has been submitted by the employer or by a person authorised by the employer.

(16) The Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue or refuse to issue an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type within 60 days of the submission of the application, where the foreign national has been granted a right of extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(17) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) In cases of legal and factual complexity, the time limit for examining the application may be extended by a further 15 days, of which the employer or the foreign national shall be notified in writing. Where necessary, documents and information shall be required to be presented within 13 days of receipt of the notification. Where the additional documents and information are not provided within the time limit specified, the proceedings for the issuance of a permit under para. 1 shall be terminated.

(18) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) Following the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type, a document shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with “EU Blue Card” entered in the “type of permit” field. In the event of a change of employer, para. 26 shall apply to a change of employer during the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, or para. 27 to a change of employer after the expiry of the first 12 months of highly qualified employment.

(19) The procedure for issuing an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type may not take longer than three months.

(20) The employer shall notify the Migration Directorate of the termination of the employment relationship with the foreign national within three days of the date of termination of the employment.

(21) A permit under para. 1 shall not be issued to foreign nationals who have obtained a right of extended residence on the basis of Art. 24l, or to family members of citizens of the European Union who have exercised or are exercising their right of free movement within the territory of the European Union and have obtained a right of residence under the procedure of the Act on the Entry, Residence and Exit of the Republic of Bulgaria of EU Citizens and Their Family Members.

(22) The employer and the foreign national shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(23) (New, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The holder of an EU Blue Card issued on the basis of higher professional skills within the meaning of Art. 17(2), item 1, letter (c) of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act shall be issued a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with “[Position other than those under Art. 17(2), letter (b) of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act]” entered in the “remarks” field.

(24) (New, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The holder of an EU Blue Card who has been granted international protection within the meaning of para. 1, item 2 shall be issued a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with “International protection granted by [name of the Member State] on [date]” entered in the “remarks” field. Upon withdrawal of the international protection granted, the holder of the EU Blue Card shall be issued a new residence permit without the remark under the first sentence.

(25) (New, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate shall notify the Member State of the European Union which granted the international protection that an application for the issuance of an EU Blue Card has been submitted in the Republic of Bulgaria, requesting confirmation of whether the foreign national still enjoys international protection at the time of issuance of the extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type. Where the protection granted has been withdrawn by a final decision, the Republic of Bulgaria shall not enter the remark under para. 24. The State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers shall notify the Migration Directorate of a transfer of responsibility for the international protection of the holder of an EU Blue Card for the purpose of amending the remark in the document issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 within three months of the transfer, with “International protection granted by Bulgaria on (date)” entered in the “Remarks” field of the EU Blue Card.

(26) (New, SG No. 8/2023) In the event of a change of employer under Art. 20(2) of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act during the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, the new employer or a person authorised by the new employer, or the foreign national, shall submit an application for change of employer on paper or, once the technical conditions have been created, electronically, to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, attaching to the application the documents under para. 5, items 6 – 8. Following the provision, within 7 days, of an opinion by the Employment Agency on the circumstances under the first sentence which have changed, the Director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by him or her shall issue or refuse to issue the new extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type within 30 days of the submission of the application.

(27) (New, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) After the expiry of the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, the holder of an EU Blue Card may change employer under a simplified procedure.

(28) (New, SG No. 52/2025) In the cases under para. 27, the new employer shall submit an application accompanied by the documents under para. 5, items 6 and 7. Following a positive opinion of the Employment Agency on the set of documents, the holder of the EU Blue Card shall submit an application for the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type. The Migration Directorate shall notify the State Agency for National Security of the change.

(29) (New, SG No. 52/2025) After the expiry of the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, the holder of an EU Blue Card may change the position held within the same sector under a simplified procedure, the employer submitting an application accompanied by the documents under para. 5, items 7 and 8. Following a positive opinion of the Employment Agency on the set of documents, the holder of the EU Blue Card shall submit an application for the issuance of an extended residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type.

(30) (New, SG No. 52/2025) Paragraph 1 shall not apply to foreign nationals:

1. who have applied for international protection and are awaiting a decision on their application or who enjoy temporary protection;

2. who have applied for asylum and are awaiting a decision on their application;

3. who apply for residence in the Republic of Bulgaria as researchers for the purpose of carrying out a research project;

4. who hold EU long-term resident status in another Member State and exercise their right to reside in the Republic of Bulgaria for the purpose of carrying out an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity;

5. whose expulsion has been temporarily postponed on factual or legal grounds;

6. who are posted, for the period of their posting in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

7. who, by virtue of agreements between the European Union and the Member States, on the one hand, and third countries, on the other, enjoy, as nationals of those third countries, rights of free movement equivalent to those of citizens of the European Union.

Art. 33k. (New, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011) (1) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) A holder of an EU Blue Card issued by another Member State of the European Union who has resided lawfully in the territory of that Member State for 12 months may, together with his or her family members, reside in the Republic of Bulgaria for the purposes of highly qualified employment. The application for the issue of an EU Blue Card in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be submitted by the employer or a person authorised by the employer, or by the foreign national, not later than one month after the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the country.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the period of validity of the Blue Card issued in the first Member State expires during the procedure for the issue of an EU Blue Card in the Republic of Bulgaria, the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall issue a permit for extended residence for 90 days, enabling the foreign national to continue his or her lawful residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until a decision is taken on his or her application by the competent authority.

(3) Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall also apply where the foreign national has already exercised his or her right to move to another Member State.

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021, amended, SG No. 8/2023) The employer in the Republic of Bulgaria or a person authorised by the employer, or the foreign national holding an EU Blue Card issued by another Member State of the European Union, shall submit, on paper or electronically once the technical conditions have been established, to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by the documents referred to in Art. 33j(5) and a certified copy of the EU Blue Card issued by the first Member State. A foreign national holding an EU Blue Card issued by another Member State of the European Union shall have the right to start work in the Republic of Bulgaria not later than 30 days after the date of submission of the application, unless the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director refuses to issue a permit for extended residence and work of the “EU Blue Card” type.

(5) (New, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) In the administrative procedure for the issue of a residence permit of the “EU Blue Card” type in the cases under para. 1, the provisions of Art. 33j(4) – (11) and (17) – (22) shall apply.

(6) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate shall notify the applicant under para. 4 and the first Member State of its decision as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days after the date of submission of the complete application. In exceptional and duly justified circumstances relating to the complexity of the application, the time limit for its examination shall be extended by 30 days, of which the applicant shall be notified. Where the application is refused on the grounds that the documents submitted were obtained fraudulently or are false or falsified, or that the EU Blue Card holder poses a genuine and serious threat to national security and public order or public health, the Migration Directorate shall state those circumstances in its notification to the first Member State.

(7) (New, SG No. 52/2025) An EU Blue Card holder may move to the Republic of Bulgaria after having resided lawfully for 6 months in another Member State other than the Member State which issued the first EU Blue Card.

(8) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The holder of a valid EU Blue Card issued by another Member State of the European Union may enter and stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days for the purpose of carrying out a specific business activity, without any authorisation for carrying out such activity being required other than the EU Blue Card and a valid passport.

(9) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The EU Blue Card holder shall bear the costs related to his or her return to the Republic of Bulgaria, and to that of his or her family members, where another Member State has rejected his or her application for residence exceeding 90 days within the meaning of this Article.

Art. 33l. (New, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) An EU Blue Card holder may acquire long-term residence status in the Republic of Bulgaria if he or she has resided lawfully and continuously for 5 years in the territory of Member States of the European Union as an EU Blue Card holder, as a holder of a researcher permit or a student permit, or as a person granted international protection, of which the last two years in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as an EU Blue Card holder.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) The five-year period under para. 1 shall not be interrupted by periods of absence of the Blue Card holder from the territory of Member States of the European Union for the purpose of pursuing an economic activity as an employed or self-employed person, of carrying out voluntary service or of studying in his or her country of origin, if those periods are shorter than 12 consecutive months and do not exceed 18 months in total within the 5-year period.

(3) An EU Blue Card holder who has acquired long-term resident status in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be issued a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals, and the entry “former EU Blue Card holder” shall be made in the “remarks” field.

(4) (New, SG No. 52/2025) A family member of an EU Blue Card holder may acquire long-term residence status in the Republic of Bulgaria if he or she has resided lawfully and continuously for 5 years in the territory of Member States of the European Union as a family member of an EU Blue Card holder, of which the last two years in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Periods of absence from the territory of the EU Member States shall not interrupt the 5-year period and shall be taken into account in calculating it where they are shorter than 6 consecutive months and do not exceed 10 months in total within the 5-year period.

(5) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The foreign nationals referred to in para. 4 shall be issued a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002. The entry “EU long-term resident” shall be made in the “type of permit” field.

Art. 33m. (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) During the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, the holder of an “EU Blue Card” may carry out activities meeting the conditions under which the “EU Blue Card” was issued to him or her only in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, except in the cases under Art. 33k(8).

(2) During the period under para. 1, the holder of an “EU Blue Card” may change his or her employer only under the conditions of Art. 33j.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 8/2023, supplemented, SG No. 52/2025) Where he or she becomes unemployed during the first 24 months of highly qualified employment, the holder of an “EU Blue Card” shall have the right, within three months, to seek and take up employment, having registered with the Employment Agency within 7 working days of the termination of his or her employment relationship, and may use employment intermediation services under the Employment Promotion Act. After the expiry of the first 24 months, the EU Blue Card holder shall have the right, within 6 months, to seek and take up employment, having registered with the Employment Agency within 7 working days of the termination of his or her employment relationship, and may use employment intermediation services under the Employment Promotion Act. The EU Blue Card holder shall notify the Migration Directorate within 7 days of the beginning of the period of unemployment.

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) The period of unemployment shall not constitute grounds for the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director to withdraw the “EU Blue Card” or to refuse to extend the period of residence of its holder, where the period of unemployment does not exceed three or, respectively, 6 consecutive months or where it does not occur more than once during the period of validity of the “EU Blue Card”.

(5) The right under para. 3 may be exercised once during the period of validity of the “EU Blue Card”.

(6) Where the holder of an “EU Blue Card” has failed to comply with the requirements of paras. 1, 2 and 5, and where he or she has exercised his or her rights under para. 3 and has not taken up employment, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall withdraw or refuse to renew the “EU Blue Card”.

(7) (New, SG No. 52/2025) In accordance with the requirements of Bulgarian legislation, the EU Blue Card holder may exercise a liberal profession concurrently with the highly qualified employment only in the sector for which the permit has been granted.

Art. 33n. (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) The family members of an “EU Blue Card” holder may obtain a permit for extended residence with a period of validity corresponding to the period of residence of the “EU Blue Card” holder, insofar as the period of validity of the passport or substitute document so permits. For a residence permit to be issued to the family members, the requirements of Art. 24(2) must be met.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the family of the EU Blue Card holder was not constituted in the first Member State, the family reunification procedure under Art. 33t shall apply.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) For the issue of a permit for extended residence to family members of the “EU Blue Card” holder, the foreign national holding a visa under Art. 15(1) shall submit, on paper or electronically once the technical conditions have been established, to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or substitute document, including the pages with the photograph and personal data, the visa under Art. 15(1), where one is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented in order to verify the authenticity of the copy;

2. a marriage certificate or a birth certificate;

3. medical documents attesting to serious health reasons in the cases under Art. 2(4);

4. evidence of available accommodation;

5. compulsory medical insurance valid for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

6. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage or the national minimum pension, for the period of residence;

7. (new, SG No. 8/2023) a criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country of permanent residence.

(4) In order to establish the facts and circumstances under Art. 26(4), the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall prepare a reasoned opinion, which shall be attached to the application for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(5) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 8/2023) The application under para. 3 may be submitted not later than 14 days before the expiry of the authorised period of residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in accordance with the visa issued. The application shall be examined and decided within 14 days. Where there is legal and factual complexity and a need for additional documents or information to be submitted, this time limit may be extended by one month, of which the foreign national shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents and information must be submitted within 14 days. Where the additional documents and information are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(6) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence under para. 1. The foreign national shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 3 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(7) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the holder of an EU Blue Card issued in another Member State moves to the Republic of Bulgaria in accordance with Art. 33k(1) or (7) and where his or her family was already constituted in that Member State, his or her family members shall be allowed to accompany or join him or her. In such cases, the application for the issue of an EU Blue Card and that of his or her family members may be submitted simultaneously, and the decision on the application of the family members shall be taken and communicated simultaneously with the decision on the application for the issue of an EU Blue Card. Where the period of validity of the residence permit they hold expires before a decision is taken on their application, a permit for extended residence for 90 days shall be issued.

(8) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) In order to obtain a permit for extended residence as a family member of an “EU Blue Card” holder in the cases under para. 7, the family member shall personally submit, on paper or electronically once the technical conditions have been established, to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or substitute document, including the pages with the photograph, the personal data and the stamp of the last entry into the country; the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented in order to verify the authenticity of the copy;

2. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) a residence permit in the first Member State, the documents referred to in para. 3, item 2, and evidence that they have resided as family members of an EU Blue Card holder in the first Member State of the European Union;

3. compulsory medical insurance valid for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

4. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage or the national minimum pension, for the period of residence;

5. evidence of available accommodation.

(9) The application under para. 8 shall be submitted not later than one month after the entry of the family member of the “EU Blue Card” holder into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(10) The application under para. 8 shall be examined and decided within 14 days. Where there is legal and factual complexity and a need for additional documents or information to be submitted, the time limit may be extended by one month, of which the foreign national shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents or information must be submitted within 14 days. Where the additional documents or information are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of the permit for extended residence under para. 8.

(11) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence under para. 8. The family member of the “EU Blue Card” holder shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 8 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(12) The family members of an “EU Blue Card” holder may obtain an autonomous permit for extended residence under the conditions of Art. 24f(4), in which case the foreign national shall submit to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or substitute document, including the pages with the photograph and personal data; the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented in order to verify the authenticity of the copy;

2. evidence of available accommodation;

3. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage or the national minimum pension;

4. compulsory medical insurance valid for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not health-insured under the Health Insurance Act;

5. documents attesting to the dissolution of the marriage, or a birth certificate;

6. a certificate from a school within the vocational education and training system or from a higher education institution in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(13) (Amended, SG No. 8/2023) The application under para. 12 shall be examined and decided within 15 days. Where there is legal and factual complexity and a need for additional documents or information to be submitted, the time limit may be extended by one month, of which the foreign national shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents or information must be submitted within 13 days. Where the additional documents or information are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of a permit under para. 12.

(14) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence under para. 12. The applicant shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 12 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(15) (New, SG No. 52/2025) The provisions of paras. 1 – 14 shall also apply to the family members of an EU Blue Card holder who has been granted international protection, including where the EU Blue Card holder has moved to a Member State other than the Member State which granted the protection.

Chapter Three C. Residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of intra-corporate transfer

(New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016)

Art. 33o. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) A permit for an intra-corporate transferee with a right of extended residence may be obtained by foreign nationals who meet the conditions for access to the labour market under the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act and who hold a visa under Art. 15(1) or, in the cases of reissue, a permit for extended residence in the Republic of Bulgaria on the same grounds. On a first application for a permit, the foreign national must reside outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Where the foreign national has been issued a residence permit whose validity expires during the renewal procedure, he or she shall have the right to reside in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until a decision is taken on the application.

(2) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued for a period of one year and shall be renewed under the conditions of this Article. Where the term of the employment contract is shorter than one year, the permit shall be issued for the duration of the contract. The period of validity of the permit under para. 1 may be extended up to a maximum of three years for managers and specialists and one year for trainee employees.

(3) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 under a single application procedure, and the entry “intra-corporate transfer” shall be made in the “type of permit” field.

(4) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) An application for the issue of the permit under para. 1 shall be submitted to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior by the employer or a person authorised by the employer, or personally by the foreign national where he or she has already been issued a residence permit, not later than 30 days before the expiry of the authorised period of extended residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(5) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall provide information on all documents required to obtain the permit, including on the rights and obligations of the foreign national arising from it.

(6) The application shall be submitted in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, shall state an electronic address for correspondence and shall be accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or substitute document, including the pages with the photograph and personal data; the period of validity of the passport or substitute document must cover at least the period of validity of the permit for the purposes of the intra-corporate transfer; the document must have been issued within the last 10 years;

2. a criminal record certificate issued by the country of which the foreign national is a national or by the country of his or her habitual residence – on a first application for the issue of a permit under para. 1;

3. (amended, SG No. 52/2025) evidence of available accommodation, where the foreign national has authorised extended residence in the territory of the country; an applicant who has not been granted a right of extended residence in the territory of the country shall present the evidence of available accommodation when applying for the first time for the issue of a document of the “Intra-corporate transferee permit” type in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002; such evidence shall also be provided when submitting an application for a long-stay visa;

4. a statement of reasons for the request, in which the employer sets out the facts and circumstances necessitating the temporary transfer of the foreign national for the purposes of the intra-corporate transfer;

5. a document certifying completed higher education, legalised and accompanied by a certified translation – for the position of trainee employee;

6. a statement-declaration by the employer on the foreign nationals working in the company under an employment contract, stating their names as in their passports, date of birth, nationality, grounds and period of residence;

7. a declaration by the employer that the conditions of work and pay have been complied with and are not less favourable than the conditions for Bulgarian citizens for the relevant category of work – on a first application;

8. a document proving that the host entity and the undertaking established in the third country belong to the same undertaking or group of undertakings, legalised in accordance with Bulgarian legislation and accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian certified by a notary or by the Consular Relations Directorate;

9. a document containing data on the duration of the transfer, legalised in accordance with Bulgarian legislation and accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian certified by a notary or by the Consular Relations Directorate;

10. documents legalised in accordance with Bulgarian legislation certifying that the foreign national:

(a) has worked in the same undertaking or group of undertakings for not less than 12 months without interruption immediately preceding the date of submission of the application – for managers and specialists, and for not less than 6 months without interruption – for trainee employees;

(b) has the necessary professional experience and qualifications – for the position of manager and specialist;

(c) is transferred within an intra-corporate transfer;

(d) will continue working in the undertaking established in the third country after the period of the transfer;

11. a copy of the training agreement relating to the preparation for the future position of the trainee within the undertaking or group of undertakings, accompanied by a description of the training programme – for trainee employees; the training programme shall expressly state that the purpose of the employment of the worker who is a third-country national is professional development or training in business techniques or methods, as well as the duration of the programme and the conditions under which the trainee employee will be supervised during the programme;

12. compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for the entire period of residence, where the foreign national is not insured under the Health Insurance Act and has an authorised right of extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(7) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application under para. 6 has been submitted to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, it shall be sent, together with the documents attached thereto, to the Migration Directorate. Within three days, the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall carry out a check where there are reasonable doubts that the foreign national will not live at the address declared by him or her, and the record of the check shall be sent electronically to the Migration Directorate.

(8) The Migration Directorate shall check the documents under para. 6 and, where a document is missing or additional documents need to be provided, shall notify the applicant electronically of those circumstances and set a time limit of 7 days for providing the documents. Where the documents are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of a permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee.

(9) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) The Migration Directorate shall send electronically to the Employment Agency the applications under para. 6 in respect of which the procedure has not been terminated, together with the documents attached thereto, within 14 days of submission of the application, and the documents under para. 6, items 5, 8, 9 and 10 shall be sent in original. Where the foreign national has authorised extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, a statement of his or her authorised right of residence shall also be attached to the application. The Migration Directorate shall send electronically the application with all documents to the State Agency for National Security, which shall, within 14 days, send a written opinion under Art. 41(1), item 2 of the State Agency for National Security Act where the person is in the territory of the country, and in the cases under para. 14, within three days after giving an opinion on the visa application under Art. 15(1).

(10) The Executive Director of the Employment Agency shall send electronically to the Migration Directorate a written opinion on the existence or absence of grounds for granting access to the labour market for the purposes of the intra-corporate transfer within 14 days of receipt of the application by the Employment Agency.

(11) Where irregularities are found in the documents, or where additional documents need to be provided by the applicant, the Employment Agency shall notify the Migration Directorate electronically within 7 days. The time limit under para. 10 shall be suspended until the requested documents are received.

(12) The Migration Directorate shall notify the applicant electronically of the circumstances under para. 11 and shall set a time limit of 7 days for remedying the irregularities or for submitting the requested documents. Where the irregularities are not remedied or the documents are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of the permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee and shall notify the Employment Agency.

(13) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Where the application under para. 6 has been submitted by an employer or a person authorised by the employer, the Migration Directorate shall send electronically to the employer, within three days of receipt of positive opinions under para. 10, a communication stating that there are grounds for authorising the extended residence of the foreign national as an intra-corporate transferee. The Migration Directorate shall also send the communication to the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(14) The employer shall notify the foreign national of the communication under para. 13, and within 20 days of the communication under para. 13 being sent to the employer the foreign national must take steps to submit an application for the issue of a visa under Art. 15(1). In cases of refusal to issue a visa under Art. 15(1), the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the Migration Directorate.

(15) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Within 14 days of the foreign national’s entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall be obliged to appear with the foreign national at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and to attach to the application under para. 6 a copy of the foreign national’s passport containing the page bearing the visa, and compulsory medical insurance valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for the entire period of residence, where the foreign national is not insured under the Health Insurance Act. Documents submitted to the Migration department/sector/group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall be sent immediately by electronic means to the Migration Directorate. Where the documents are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of the permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee.

(16) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee within three days of submission of the documents under para. 15, where the application has been submitted by the employer or a person authorised by the employer.

(17) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee within 60 days of submission of the application, where the foreign national has an authorised right of extended residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(18) Where there is legal and factual complexity, the time limit for examining the application may be extended by a further month, of which the employer or the foreign national shall be notified in writing. Where necessary, documents and information shall be required to be submitted within 14 days of receipt of the notification. Where the additional documents and information are not provided within the time limit specified, the procedure for the issue of a permit under para. 1 shall be terminated.

(19) The procedure for the issue of a permit for extended residence of an intra-corporate transferee may not take longer than three months.

(20) The employer shall notify the Migration Directorate of any change affecting the conditions for admission that occurs during the application procedure, and of the termination of the transfer of the foreign national, within three days of the date of the change or of the termination of the employment.

(21) A permit under para. 1 shall not be issued to foreign nationals who have obtained a right of extended residence on the grounds of Art. 24(1), item 1, Art. 24b, 24c or 24l, or to family members of citizens of the European Union who have exercised or are exercising their right of free movement in the territory of the European Union and have obtained a right of residence under the procedure of the Act on the Entry, Residence and Exit of the Republic of Bulgaria of EU Citizens and Their Family Members.

(22) The applicant shall be notified of the decisions taken on the basis of the application in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 33p. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) The family members of the holder of an intra-corporate transferee permit may obtain a permit for extended residence on the grounds of Art. 24(1), item 13 for the period of residence of the permit holder, if they meet the conditions of Art. 24(2) and following a positive decision on family reunification with a foreign national.

(2) For the issue of a permit for extended residence to the family members of the holder of an intra-corporate transferee permit, the family member shall personally submit to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the Sofia Metropolitan Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by:

1. a copy of a valid passport or substitute document, including the pages with the photograph and personal data, a visa under Art. 15(1), where one is required, and the stamp of the last entry into the country; the original of the passport or substitute document shall also be presented in order to verify the authenticity of the copy;

2. a marriage certificate or a birth certificate;

3. evidence of available accommodation;

4. compulsory medical insurance valid for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where the person is not insured under the Health Insurance Act;

5. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage or the national minimum pension, for the period of residence.

(3) In order to establish the facts and circumstances under Art. 26(4), the Migration Directorate or the Migration department/sector/group at the Sofia Metropolitan Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior shall prepare a reasoned opinion, which shall be attached to the application under para. 2.

(4) The permit under para. 1 shall be issued with a period of validity corresponding to the period of residence of the holder of the intra-corporate transfer permit, insofar as the period of validity of the national passports or substitute documents covers the requested period of residence.

(5) The application under para. 2 shall be submitted not later than 14 days before the expiry of the authorised period of residence of the family member in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. It shall be examined and decided within 14 days. Where there is legal and factual complexity and a need for additional documents or information to be submitted, this time limit may be extended by one month, of which the family member shall be notified in writing and instructed that the necessary documents and information must be submitted within 14 days. Where the additional documents or information are not submitted within the time limit set, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall terminate the procedure for the issue of a permit under para. 1.

(6) The director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue or refuse to issue a permit for extended residence to a family member of an intra-corporate transferee. The applicant shall be notified in writing of the decisions taken on the basis of the application under para. 2 in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

Art. 33q. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) The holder of a valid residence permit as an intra-corporate transferee issued by a first Member State shall have the right to stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as a second Member State for a period of up to 90 days within any period of 180 days.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, the host entity in the first Member State shall, immediately upon admission of the person, notify the competent authorities of the first Member State and of the Republic of Bulgaria of the intended transfer within an intra-corporate transfer to an entity in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, within the period of validity of the permit issued by the first Member State.

(3) In the cases under para. 1, the competent authorities of the first Member State shall notify the Republic of Bulgaria of the intended stay, its duration and its start and end dates, and shall submit the following documents:

1. a valid residence permit;

2. a valid passport or substitute document;

3. evidence of available accommodation;

4. compulsory medical insurance;

5. an employment contract;

6. a document proving that the host entity and the undertaking established in the third country belong to the same undertaking or group of undertakings, legalised in accordance with Bulgarian legislation and accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian certified by a notary or by the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

7. a document legalised in accordance with Bulgarian legislation certifying that the foreign national has the necessary professional experience and qualifications to hold the relevant position;

8. a declaration by the employer that the conditions of work and pay have been complied with and are not less favourable than the conditions for Bulgarian citizens for the relevant category of work.

(4) The intended stay under para. 1 may take place after the expiry of the time limit for an objection by the Migration Directorate to the first Member State, which may not be longer than 20 days from receipt of the complete notification.

(5) The objection under para. 4 may be raised where the conditions under para. 3, items 5, 6, 7 or 8 have not been complied with, where the documents submitted were obtained fraudulently or have been falsified, or where the maximum duration of the intra-corporate transfer under para. 1 or under Art. 33o(2) has been reached.

(6) In the event of an objection under para. 4, the Migration Directorate shall notify the competent authorities of the first Member State and the host entity in the first Member State. Where the mobility has not yet started, the person shall not have the right to work in the Republic of Bulgaria as part of an intra-corporate transfer. Where the mobility has already started, the director of the Migration Directorate or an official authorised by the director shall issue an order to the intra-corporate transferee to cease all employment immediately and to leave the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, where:

(a) the Migration Directorate has not been notified of the intended stay under para. 2;

(b) the Migration Directorate has objected to the mobility in accordance with para. 5;

(c) the Migration Directorate has refused long-term mobility under Art. 33r(1);

(d) the permit issued to the intra-corporate transferee or the long-term mobility permit is being used for purposes other than those for which it was issued;

(e) the grounds on the basis of which the mobility was authorised have ceased to exist;

(f) the residence permit issued by the first Member State has expired or has been withdrawn by the first Member State during the mobility in the Republic of Bulgaria.

(7) In the cases of an order issued under para. 6, the Migration Directorate shall send a request to the first Member State to readmit the intra-corporate transferee and, where applicable, his or her family members.

(8) Where a request has been addressed to the Republic of Bulgaria, as the first Member State which issued a permit to an intra-corporate transferee, by a second Member State which has examined an application for short-term or long-term mobility of the foreign national, the Republic of Bulgaria shall allow the re-entry of the foreign national into the territory of the country, and where applicable, of his or her family members, immediately and without formalities, in any of the following cases:

1. the second Member State has not been notified of the intended stay;

2. the second Member State has objected to the mobility;

3. the second Member State has refused long-term mobility;

4. the permit issued to the intra-corporate transferee or the long-term mobility permit is being used for purposes other than those for which it was issued;

5. the grounds on the basis of which the mobility was authorised have ceased to exist;

6. the residence permit issued by the Republic of Bulgaria has expired or has been withdrawn by the Republic of Bulgaria during the mobility in the second Member State.

Art. 33r. (New, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) The holder of a valid residence permit as an intra-corporate transferee issued by a first Member State shall have the right to stay for more than 90 days in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as a second Member State if he or she meets the conditions for access to the labour market under the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act.

(2) The holder of the permit under para. 1 shall be issued a permit for mobility within an intra-corporate transfer in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, and the entry “mobile ICT – мобилност при ВКТ” shall be made in the “remarks” field.

(3) The Migration Directorate shall inform the competent authorities of the first Member State when it issues a permit for mobility within an intra-corporate transfer.

(4) The first Member State shall inform the Ministry of Interior when it withdraws an intra-corporate transferee permit.

(5) The host entity shall inform the Migration Directorate of any changes affecting the conditions on the basis of which the mobility was authorised, where the Republic of Bulgaria is the second Member State.

(6) The holder of an intra-corporate transferee permit issued by a first Member State shall personally submit to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration department/sector/group at the Sofia Metropolitan Directorate of the Ministry of Interior or at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the form specified in the regulations for the implementation of the Act, accompanied by the documents under Art. 33o(6) and a copy of the residence permit issued by the first Member State for the purposes of the intra-corporate transfer. In such cases, a visa under Art. 15(1) shall not be required.

(7) In the administrative procedure for obtaining a right of residence in the cases under para. 1, Art. 33o(5) – (12), (17) – (20) and (22) shall apply.

(8) Pending a decision on a submitted application, the person under para. 1 shall have the right to work in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, provided that the period under Art. 33q(1) and the period of validity of the permit issued by the first Member State have not expired, and where the application is complete in its entirety.

(9) The holder of a valid residence permit as an intra-corporate transferee issued by a first Member State with an authorised stay of less than 90 days may submit an application for a residence permit for more than 90 days in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria at least 20 days before the end of the initially authorised stay. An application for long-term mobility may not be submitted at the same time as a notification for short-term mobility.

Art. 33s. (New, SG No. 8/2023) (1) The holder of an EU Blue Card may perform their work duties on a remote-work basis, where this has been agreed in the employment contract of the foreign national or in a supplementary agreement thereto under the terms and procedure established by the Labour Code.

(2) Upon switching to remote work, the employer or a person authorised by the employer shall immediately notify the Migration Directorate.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 52/2025) Upon switching to remote work in another populated place in the Republic of Bulgaria other than the one specified in the residence permit of the EU Blue Card holder, the employer, a person authorised by the employer or the foreign national shall submit an application for the issuance of a new document – a residence permit of an EU Blue Card holder – to the Migration Department/Sector/Group at the regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior at the address of residence, enclosing a document evidencing secured accommodation at the new address.

Art. 33t. (New, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) (1) In order to obtain a right of extended residence for the purpose of family reunification, a foreign national who has been granted residence of not less than one year in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall submit to the Migration Directorate or to the Migration Department/Sector/Group at the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior an application in the standard form set out in the Rules for the Implementation of the Act, enclosing:

1. a copy of the pages with the photograph and personal data of the valid passport or substitute document of the family member, with a period of validity of not less than 6 months from the date of submission of the application;

2. evidence of secured accommodation;

3. evidence of stable, regular, predictable and sufficient means of subsistence for the family members, without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the national minimum monthly wage or the national minimum pension, for the period of residence in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

4. a criminal record certificate of the family member, issued as at the date of submission of the documents by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen or by the state of their habitual residence – upon initial submission of the application;

5. a marriage certificate or a birth certificate;

6. documents concerning the circumstances of maintenance of the family members and the need for personal care for health reasons in the cases under Art. 2(4).

(2) In order to establish the facts and circumstances under Art. 26(4), the services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall prepare a reasoned opinion, which shall be attached to the application for granting a right of extended residence.

(3) The application under para. 1 shall be considered and decided within one month after coordination with the State Agency for National Security, which shall provide its opinion within 15 days.

(4) The Director of the Migration Directorate or the director of the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior, or the officials authorised by them, shall notify the applicant in writing of the decision taken on family reunification under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(5) The director of the relevant regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior or an official authorised by them shall notify the Migration Directorate of the decision taken on family reunification, submitting a reasoned written opinion containing a list of the documents enclosed by the foreign national, checks on the existence or absence of coercive administrative measures, information on the diplomatic or consular mission where the application for a long-stay visa (visa D) will be submitted, and the grounds, or the absence thereof, for family reunification.

(6) A positive decision on the application for family reunification shall constitute grounds for issuing to the foreign national – family member – a visa under Art. 15(1) under a facilitated procedure. The foreign national shall submit a visa application to the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in the state of their permanent residence or to the diplomatic or consular mission accredited for the state of their permanent residence within 6 months of being notified.

(7) Family reunification of foreign nationals under Art. 33n(2) and Art. 33p(1) shall not be conditional on the sponsor having resided for the specified minimum period under para. 1.

(8) Where the competent service for administrative control of foreign nationals refuses to recognise a civil status document submitted to it, the interested person may bring a declaratory action before the Sofia City Court.

Chapter Four. Exit of foreign nationals from the Republic of Bulgaria

Art. 34. (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) Every foreign national shall be obliged to leave the country before the expiry of the authorised period of stay.

Art. 35. (1) A foreign national on short-term residence whose travel document has been replaced with a new one may leave the country after notifying the services for administrative control of foreign nationals thereof, unless otherwise provided for by an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

(2) A foreign national holding an extended residence permit may leave and return to the country without a visa until the expiry of the authorised period of residence.

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) A foreign national holding a long-term or permanent residence permit may enter and leave the country without a visa.

(4) (New, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 34/2019) Where the period of validity of the extended residence permit has expired before the return to the country, the foreign national may enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), which shall be issued under the terms and procedure established by the ordinance under Art. 9f(1).

Art. 36. (Amended, SG No. 97/2016) Foreign nationals may exit the Republic of Bulgaria through the places designated for that purpose on the basis of passports and substitute travel documents entitling them to leave the country.

Art. 37. A foreign national may not leave the country where a coercive administrative measure prohibiting departure has been imposed on them.

Art. 38. A foreign national leaving the Republic of Bulgaria with a vehicle by land, air or water must hold the documents under Art. 21(1), items 2 and 3, as well as a permit for export of the vehicle, where required.

Art. 39. The surrender of foreign nationals for a committed offence shall be carried out under the terms and procedure established by Bulgarian laws and by the international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

Chapter Five. Measures of administrative coercion

Section I. Coercive administrative measures

Art. 39a. (1) (New, SG No. 42/2001, former text of Art. 39a, SG No. 23/2013 (*)) The coercive administrative measures imposed on foreign nationals under this Act shall be:

1. withdrawal of the right of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria;

2. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) return to the country of origin, a country of transit or a third country;

3. expulsion;

4. (amended, SG No. 23/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 70/2013 (*)) a ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union;

5. an exit ban from the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) (New, SG No. 23/2013) The enforcement of the coercive administrative measures under para. 1, items 2 and 3 shall be monitored by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria or by authorised officials of the Ombudsman’s administration, as well as by representatives of national or international non-governmental organisations.

Art. 39b. (New, SG No. 36/2009) (1) (Amended, SG No. 23/2013) The order imposing a coercive administrative measure under Art. 39a(1), items 1 and 2 shall set a period of 7 to 30 days within which the foreign national must voluntarily comply with the obligation to return.

(2) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) In order to be granted a period for voluntary departure of more than 30 days, the foreign national shall submit a request to the relevant competent authority that issued the order under para. 1, which shall rule and notify the foreign national within three days. In such cases, the specific circumstances of each individual case shall be taken into account, such as: length of stay, state of health, needs of vulnerable groups, existence of children attending school and other family and social links. The period for voluntary departure may be extended by no more than one year.

(3) Where voluntary departure has been permitted but there is a risk of the foreign national absconding, the competent authority that issued the order under para. 1 may issue an order for daily reporting to the territorial unit of the Ministry of Interior at the place of residence.

(4) Where the person poses a threat to national security or public order, the relevant competent authority shall not grant a period for voluntary departure.

Art. 40. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) Withdrawal of the right of residence of a foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be imposed where:

1. (amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended and supplemented, SG No. 16/2013, supplemented, SG No. 70/2013, effective 24.12.2013, amended and supplemented, SG No. 108/2013, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, supplemented, SG No. 97/2017, supplemented, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018, amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 21/2021, amended, SG No. 52/2025) the grounds under Art. 24, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24f, 24h, 24i, 24j, 24l, 24m, 24n, 24o, 24p, Art. 25(1), items 6, 7, 8, 13, 16 and 17, Art. 25c, 25d, 33a, 33d, 33j, 33k, 33o and 33r have ceased to exist, as well as where, within the period under Art. 25(11), the investment for which the foreign national obtained a permanent residence permit has been terminated or transferred to another person, or has been reduced below the minimum amount required by law, or ceases to meet the requirements under Art. 25(12), regardless of the grounds for the termination, transfer or reduction;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 21/2021) the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 – 4, 6 – 11, 14, 16, 20 – 22 and 26 exist, as well as in the cases under Art. 26(3);

3. it is established that the data submitted for obtaining it are untrue;

4. (supplemented, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011) the marriage has been terminated before the expiry of 7 years from its conclusion in the cases under Art. 25(1), item 2;

5. (amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 16/2013, supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2017) within one year after the permit, the foreign national has not settled and does not reside in the territory of the country, except in the cases under Art. 25(1), items 6, 7, 8, 13, 16 and Art. 25d, as well as with regard to family members of a foreign national under Art. 25(1), items 6, 7, 8, 13 and 16;

6. (amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 21/2012, amended, SG No. 16/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2017, supplemented, SG No. 28/2020, effective 13.03.2020, amended, SG No. 52/2025) it is established that the foreign national who has obtained a long-term or permanent residence permit has been absent from the territory of the Member States of the European Union for a period of 12 consecutive months, except in cases of a declared state of emergency or of permanent residence granted under Art. 25d; the period of a declared state of emergency shall not be considered absence of the foreign national who has obtained a long-term or permanent residence permit from the territory of the Member States of the European Union for a period of 12 consecutive months;

7. (new, SG No. 52/2007, amended and supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) the refugee status or humanitarian status granted, or the temporary protection granted, under the Asylum and Refugees Act is withdrawn or terminated;

8. (new, SG No. 52/2007) the asylum granted under the Asylum and Refugees Act is withdrawn;

9. (new, SG No. 9/2011) the foreign national who has obtained a long-term residence permit has acquired long-term resident status in another Member State of the European Union;

10. (new, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 97/2017) it is established that the marriage to a Bulgarian citizen has been terminated before the expiry of 5 years from its conclusion, except in the cases under Art. 24l and Art. 25d;

11. (new, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011) the holder of an EU Blue Card who has obtained a long-term residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria, or the members of their family who have obtained long-term residence permits, have been absent from the territory of the Member States of the European Union for 24 consecutive months;

12. (new, SG No. 9/2011, effective 01.06.2011, amended and supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card or of a permit for a person transferred within an intra-corporate transfer resides for a purpose other than that for which the residence permit was obtained, as well as where the holder has violated the conditions for access to the labour market under the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act;

13. (new, SG No. 97/2017) a family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has been granted a right of permanent residence under the procedure of Art. 25d is absent from the Republic of Bulgaria for a period longer than two consecutive years;

14. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the EU Blue Card or the documents submitted for its issuance were obtained by fraud, or were false or falsified;

15. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card does not have a valid employment contract for highly qualified employment;

16. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the conditions of Art. 17(2) of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act are not met with respect to the holder of an EU Blue Card;

17. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card poses a genuine and serious threat to national security and public order or to public health;

18. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the employer of an EU Blue Card holder has failed to fulfil its obligations relating to social security, taxation, labour rights or working conditions in respect of the EU Blue Card holder;

19. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the conditions laid down in the applicable law, set out in collective labour agreements or established in the practices for highly qualified employment in the relevant sectors of employment are not met with respect to the holder of an EU Blue Card;

20. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card has not complied with the relevant procedures under Art. 33m;

21. (new, SG No. 8/2023) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card does not have a valid passport or substitute document, in which case, before the withdrawal of the right of residence of the foreign national, a period of one month shall be granted to present such a document;

22. (new, SG No. 8/2023, amended, SG No. 52/2025) it is established that the holder of an EU Blue Card has violated the conditions for entry into and residence in a Member State of the European Union under Art. 33k(8);

23. (new, SG No. 52/2025) the right of access to the labour market has been withdrawn.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011 [*]) In the cases under Art. 10(1), item 19, the right of residence may be withdrawn after consultations with the Member State that issued the alert for refusal of entry.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011) The right of long-term residence shall be withdrawn in the cases under para. 1, items 3, 6, 9 and 11 and Art. 42(1), where the foreign national poses a genuine and serious threat to national security and public order.

(4) (New, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 97/2017) In all cases, after an absence of 6 years from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the granted right of long-term or permanent residence shall be withdrawn, except in the cases under Art. 25d.

(5) (New, SG No. 9/2011) The right of residence of a foreign national who has obtained a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria under the procedure of Chapter Three A, and of the members of their family, shall be withdrawn in the cases under para. 1, items 1 and 2, except in the cases under Art. 10(1), item 8, and where the persons do not reside lawfully in the territory of the country.

(6) (New, SG No. 29/2007, former para. 3, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) A copy of the order, having entered into force, withdrawing the right of long-term or permanent residence of a foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be sent to the municipality at their permanent address for entry in the population register.

(7) (New, SG No. 52/2025) Except in the circumstances under para. 1, items 14 and 17, an EU Blue Card issued by the Republic of Bulgaria shall not be withdrawn where the foreign national has submitted an application in another Member State for residence exceeding 90 days and that state has not yet taken a decision on the application.

Art. 41. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Return shall be imposed where:

1. the foreign national cannot prove their entry into the country in accordance with the procedure established by law;

2. (amended, SG No. 36/2009) the foreign national fails to leave the country before the expiry of the period authorised for them or within the periods under Art. 39b;

3. (amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) it is established that a foreign national has entered and resides in the country with a passport or substitute travel document that is false, falsified or issued to another person;

4. (new, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 89/2020) there is a decision, having entered into force, refusing, terminating or withdrawing international protection or asylum in respect of the foreign national; return shall be imposed after written confirmation from the State Agency for Refugees, including where the proceedings under the Asylum and Refugees Act have been terminated by a decision that has entered into force and the foreign national has not requested that the examination of their application be completed;

5. (new, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) it is established that the foreign national has entered across the border of the country in accordance with the procedure established by law but is attempting to leave it other than through the places designated for that purpose or with a passport or substitute travel document that is false, falsified or issued to another person;

6. (new, SG No. 52/2025) the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 18, 18a, 19, 21 or 22 exist.

Art. 41a. (New, SG No. 97/2017) A foreign national on whom a coercive administrative measure under Art. 41 has been imposed may be issued a European travel document for return in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/1953 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the establishment of a European travel document for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals, and repealing the Council Recommendation of 30 November 1994 (OJ L 311/13 of 17 November 2016), under a procedure established by the Rules for the Implementation of the Act.

Art. 42. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) (Amended, SG No. 23/2013) Expulsion of a foreign national shall be imposed where:

1. their presence in the country poses a serious threat to national security or public order;

2. the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 – 4 exist.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 23/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 70/2013 (*)) The imposition of the coercive administrative measure under para. 1 shall also entail the withdrawal of the right of residence of the foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria and the imposition of a ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union.

(3) (New, SG No. 9/2011) A foreign national holding a residence permit or other authorisation conferring a right of residence issued by another Member State shall also be expelled if they fail to return to that Member State within 7 days of the establishment of their illegal stay.

(4) (New, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 23/2013) Before expulsion is imposed on a foreign national who has obtained a long-term residence permit, account shall be taken of the duration of residence of the foreign national in the Republic of Bulgaria, their age, state of health, family situation, social integration, existing links with the country or the absence of links with the country of origin. Expulsion may not be based on economic considerations.

(5) (New, SG No. 97/2017) Where an expulsion order against a family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has been granted a right of residence under the procedure of Art. 24l or Art. 25d has not been enforced more than two years after its entry into force, the authority that issued it shall verify whether the factual grounds for its issuance still exist. Where the factual grounds have ceased to exist, the order shall be revoked.

(6) (New, SG No. 97/2017) A family member of a Bulgarian citizen who has been granted a right of residence under the procedure of Art. 24l or Art. 25d and on whom expulsion has been imposed shall not be expelled to a state where their life and freedom are endangered and they are exposed to a risk of persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.

Art. 42a. (New, SG No. 29/2007) A foreign national residing in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in respect of whom an expulsion decision has been issued by the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union shall also be expelled.

Art. 42b. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) Expulsion under Art. 42a shall be enforced where the expulsion decision has not been revoked or its enforcement temporarily suspended by the Member State of the European Union that issued it, and where:

1. the foreign national poses a serious and genuine threat to public order or national security because:

(a) there is a conviction, having entered into force, against them for an offence for which a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one year has been imposed;

(b) there is sufficient evidence that they have committed a serious offence, or there is sufficient evidence of their intention to commit such an offence, in the territory of a Member State of the European Union;

2. the decision to expel the foreign national is based on the ground that they do not comply with the requirements of the legislation on the entry and residence of foreign nationals in the Member State of the European Union that issued it.

(2) In the cases under para. 1, item 1, where the foreign national holds a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria, Art. 42(2) shall also apply.

Art. 42c. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) Expulsion under Art. 42a shall be enforced after receipt from the competent authorities of the Member State of the European Union that issued the expulsion decision of confirmation that it has not been revoked or its enforcement temporarily suspended, as well as of documents confirming the identity of the foreign national.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 77/2018, effective 01.01.2019) The enforcement of an expulsion decision issued by the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union may be challenged under the procedure of Art. 46.

Art. 42d. (New, SG No. 29/2007) Expulsion under Art. 42a shall not be enforced where otherwise provided for in a special law or an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

Art. 42e. (New, SG No. 29/2007) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union that issued the expulsion decision of its enforcement or of the existence of grounds for its non-enforcement.

Art. 42f. (New, SG No. 29/2007) Where the expulsion cannot be carried out at the expense of the foreign national being expelled, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union that issued the expulsion decision of the costs incurred in connection with its enforcement. The notification procedure shall be established in the Rules for the Implementation of the Act.

Art. 42g. (New, SG No. 29/2007, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior and of the State Agency for National Security may, on the grounds under Art. 42b(1), issue an expulsion order and request its enforcement by the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union in respect of a foreign national who is in its territory.

Art. 42h. (New, SG No. 42/2001, former Art. 42a, SG No. 29/2007) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 23/2013 [*], amended, SG No. 70/2013) A ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union shall be imposed where:

1. the grounds under Art. 10(1) exist;

2. no period for voluntary departure has been granted under the conditions of Art. 39b(4);

3. the foreign national fails to comply with the obligation to return;

4. (new, SG No. 52/2025) a foreign national on short-term residence fails to leave the territory of the country after the expiry of the authorised period of stay.

(2) (Repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

(3) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 23/2013 [*], amended, SG No. 70/2013 [*]) The ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union shall be for a period of up to 5 years. The ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union may be for a period longer than 5 years where the person poses a serious threat to public order or national security.

(4) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) The entry ban may be imposed simultaneously with the coercive administrative measure under Art. 40(1), item 2 or under Art. 41, where the grounds under Art. 10(1) exist.

Art. 43. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) An exit ban from the Republic of Bulgaria shall be imposed on a foreign national who:

1. has been convicted by a sentence that has entered into force and has not served the imposed penalty of imprisonment.

2. (amended, SG No. 37/2003, repealed, SG No. 23/2013)

3. (amended, SG No. 45/2002, repealed, SG No. 23/2013)

(2) (Repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

(3) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 52/2025) Minors and juveniles with habitual residence in the Republic of Bulgaria in respect of whom there is a court order or decision imposing a ban on leaving the country under the procedure of Art. 127b of the Family Code shall be prohibited from leaving the Republic of Bulgaria.

Art. 44. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) (Amended, SG No. 54/2002, effective 01.12.2002, amended, SG No. 103/2003, effective 26.02.2004, amended, SG No. 82/2006, amended, SG No. 29/2007, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, amended, SG No. 36/2009, supplemented, SG No. 93/2009, effective 25.12.2009, amended, SG No. 44/2012, effective 01.07.2012, amended, SG No. 52/2013, effective 14.06.2013, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021) Coercive administrative measures shall be imposed by orders of the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security, the directors of the Chief Directorates National Police, Border Police and Combating Organised Crime, the directors of the Sofia Metropolitan and regional directorates, the Director of the Migration Directorate, the directors of the Border Police regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, or of officials authorised by them. The factual grounds for imposing the specific coercive administrative measure, where they contain classified information, shall be stated in a separate document prepared by the relevant officials under the procedure of the Classified Information Protection Act. The order imposing a coercive administrative measure under Art. 39a(1), items 2 and 3 shall specify the state in which the measure will be enforced. Where justified reasons arise, the data concerning the state may be changed by the authority that issued the order.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 36/2009, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) When imposing coercive administrative measures, the competent authorities shall take into account the duration of residence of the foreign national in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the categories of vulnerable persons, the existence of proceedings under the Asylum and Refugees Act or proceedings for renewal of a residence permit or other authorisation conferring a right of residence, their family situation, as well as the existence of family, cultural and social links with the person’s country of origin.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 82/2006, amended, SG No. 29/2007) Orders imposing coercive administrative measures shall be enforced by the services for administrative control of foreign nationals or, as the case may be, by the border control authorities, after their entry into force, unless the authority that issued the order has allowed preliminary enforcement.

(4) The following shall be subject to immediate enforcement:

1. (supplemented, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) orders withdrawing the right of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria owing to the existence of the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 and 1a;

2. (amended, SG No. 23/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 70/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) orders imposing a ban on entry into and residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union owing to the existence of the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 and 1a;

3. (supplemented, SG No. 21/2021) expulsion orders, except where they have been issued on the ground of a serious threat to public order.

(5) (Amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 97/2017) Where there are obstacles to the foreign national leaving the country immediately or entering another country and no actions have been scheduled for their forthcoming removal, the authority that issued the order imposing the coercive administrative measure, or the Director of the Migration Directorate, after assessing the individual circumstances and the risk of absconding or of otherwise frustrating the return, shall order, by an order issued under a procedure established by the Rules for the Implementation of the Act, the enforcement, jointly or separately, of any of the following precautionary measures:

1. the foreign national shall be obliged to report weekly to the territorial unit of the Ministry of Interior at their place of residence;

2. the foreign national shall pay, personally or through a third party, a monetary guarantee within the time limit and in the amount established by the Rules for the Implementation of the Act;

3. the foreign national shall hand over as a temporary pledge a valid passport or other travel document for travel abroad, which shall be returned to them upon enforcement of the return or expulsion.

(6) (Amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 23/2013, supplemented, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 97/2017) Where the foreign national on whom a coercive administrative measure under Art. 39a(1), items 2 and 3 has been imposed obstructs the enforcement of the order or there is a risk of absconding, the authorities under para. 1 may issue an order for the compulsory accommodation of the foreign national in a Special Home for Temporary Accommodation of Foreign Nationals for the purpose of organising the return or expulsion. Compulsory accommodation shall also be ordered where the foreign national fails to comply with the conditions of the precautionary measures imposed under para. 5.

(7) (New, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 103/2003, effective 26.02.2004, amended, SG No. 82/2006, amended, SG No. 69/2008, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 34/2019) Special homes for the temporary accommodation of foreign nationals in respect of whom a return or expulsion order has been issued shall be established at the Migration Directorate. For the purposes of accommodation, a Register of Accommodated Foreign Nationals Subject to Coercive Administrative Measures and a Register of Foreign Nationals Accommodated Short-Term shall be maintained, containing data on the accommodated foreign nationals

(8) (New, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 70/2013, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015, amended, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 97/2017) The accommodation shall continue until the circumstances under para. 6 cease to exist, but for no more than 6 months. Monthly ex officio reviews of the existence of the grounds for compulsory accommodation in a special home shall be carried out by the Director of the Migration Directorate. Exceptionally, where the person refuses to cooperate with the competent authorities or there is a delay in obtaining the documents necessary for return or expulsion as at the date of expiry of the authorised period of compulsory accommodation under para. 6, the Director of the Migration Directorate may issue an order extending the compulsory accommodation in the special home for a period not exceeding a further 12 months. The order extending the compulsory accommodation shall be subject to appeal under the procedure of Art. 46a(1) and (2). Where, in view of the specific circumstances of the case, it is established that there is no longer a reasonable prospect, for legal or technical reasons, of the forcible removal of the foreign national, the person shall be released immediately.

(9) (New, SG No. 36/2009, amended and supplemented, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2017) Exceptionally, where the circumstances under para. 6 exist, an order for compulsory accommodation in a special home for a period of up to three months shall be issued in respect of accompanied minors or juveniles. Premises for the accommodation of minor and juvenile foreign nationals, with conditions appropriate to their age and needs, shall be set aside in the special homes under para. 7. Compulsory accommodation shall not apply to unaccompanied minors and juveniles. The authority that issued the order imposing the coercive administrative measure shall hand the person over to an officer of the relevant Social Assistance Directorate, which shall take protection measures under the Child Protection Act.

(10) (New, SG No. 37/2003, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, former para. 8, amended, SG No. 36/2009, amended, SG No. 97/2017) Foreign nationals shall be accommodated in the special homes on the basis of an order for compulsory accommodation issued by the competent authority under para. 1, the order expressly stating the necessity and the legal basis for the accommodation, and a copy of the order for the imposed coercive administrative measure of return or expulsion shall be attached.

(11) (New, SG No. 37/2003, former para. 9, amended, SG No. 36/2009, supplemented, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 97/2017) The procedure for the temporary accommodation of foreign nationals in the special homes and in their units, as well as the organisation of their activities, shall be established by an ordinance of the Minister of Interior.

(12) (New, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015, supplemented, SG No. 97/2016) Accommodation in the Special Homes for Temporary Accommodation of Foreign Nationals shall not be terminated where there are serious grounds to presume that the foreign national has lodged a subsequent application for international protection solely in order to delay or frustrate the enforcement of an imposed coercive administrative measure under Art. 39a(1), item 2 or 3. The continuation of the accommodation shall be subject to appeal under the procedure of Art. 46a(1) – (5).

(13) (New, SG No. 97/2016, amended, SG No. 97/2017, effective 06.06.2018) In the case of a foreign national whose identity has not been established, the authority under para. 1 may, after an individual assessment of the principles of proportionality and commensurability, issue an order against them for short-term accommodation in a unit of a Special Home for Temporary Accommodation of Foreign Nationals set aside for that purpose, for a period of up to 30 calendar days, in order to carry out initial identification and identity establishment actions and to assess the subsequent administrative measures to be taken. Foreign nationals presumed to be minors or juveniles shall be accommodated together with their escorts in special premises. Repeated accommodation of a foreign national in a separate short-term accommodation unit of a Special Home for Temporary Accommodation of Foreign Nationals shall not be permitted.

(14) (New, SG No. 98/2020) The period under para. 13 for carrying out initial identification and identity establishment actions and for taking subsequent administrative measures shall be extended by the period during which the foreign national was placed in isolation, hospital treatment or quarantine.

(15) (New, SG No. 97/2017, former para. 14, SG No. 98/2020) The order under para. 5 ordering the enforcement of a precautionary measure may be appealed within 14 days of its issuance under the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code. The appeal shall not suspend the enforcement of the order.

Art. 44a. (1) (New, SG No. 42/2001, former text of Art. 44a, SG No. 23/2013) A foreign national on whom the coercive administrative measure of expulsion has been imposed shall not be expelled to a state where their life and freedom are endangered and they are exposed to a risk of persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.

(2) (New, SG No. 23/2013) Where the circumstances under para. 1 have been established by a judicial act that has entered into force, the foreign national shall be issued and served with an order by the authority that issued the expulsion order, expressly stating the prohibition of expulsion and the state to which the foreign national should not be expelled. The order shall not be subject to appeal.

(3) (New, SG No. 23/2013) The foreign national shall be obliged to report once a week to the territorial unit of the Ministry of Interior at the place of residence.

(4) (New, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) Where, one year after the issuance of the order under para. 2, expulsion to a safe third country has not been carried out, the foreign national shall be granted temporary access to the labour market under the terms and procedure of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act – until the expulsion is carried out.

(5) (New, SG No. 21/2021) A foreign national on whom the coercive administrative measure of return has been imposed shall not be returned to a state where their life and freedom are endangered and they are exposed to a risk of persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.

(6) (New, SG No. 21/2021) Where the circumstances under para. 5 have been established by a judicial act that has entered into force, the foreign national shall be issued and served with an order by the authority that issued the return order, expressly stating the prohibition of return and the state to which the foreign national should not be returned. The order shall not be subject to appeal. In such cases, the return may be enforced to another state, which shall be entered in the return order.

Art. 44b. (1) (New, SG No. 42/2001, former text of Art. 44b, SG No. 52/2007, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Where the immediate expulsion or return of a foreign national is impossible, or the enforcement of those measures must be postponed for reasons of a legal or technical nature, the authority that issued the order imposing the coercive administrative measure shall postpone its enforcement until the obstacles to its enforcement cease to exist.

(2) (New, SG No. 52/2007, amended, SG No. 97/2016) Where, after the expiry of the period of temporary protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act, the expulsion or return of a foreign national is impossible or the enforcement of those measures must be postponed for reasons of a health or humanitarian nature, the authority that issued the order for the application of the coercive administrative measure shall postpone its enforcement until the obstacles to its enforcement cease to exist.

Art. 44c. (New, SG No. 9/2011 [*], amended, SG No. 67/2023) (1) An alert for refusal of entry and stay shall be entered in the SIS on the basis of a refusal, having entered into force, issued on the grounds of Art. 10(1), items 1 – 4, 6 – 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18 – 20, 23, 25 – 27, or of an order imposing a measure under Art. 39a(1), item 4.

(2) An alert on return shall be entered in the SIS on the basis of an order imposing a measure under Art. 39a(1), items 1 – 3, where it has entered into force or preliminary enforcement has been allowed.

(3) In respect of a foreign national holding a valid residence permit or a valid long-stay visa issued by another Member State, before the entry of the alert under para. 1 or 2, the Migration Directorate shall hold consultations with the other Member State in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1860 and Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1861.

(4) Where it is established that an alert on return or an alert for refusal of entry and stay has been entered in respect of a foreign national holding a valid residence permit or a valid long-stay visa issued by another Member State, the competent authorities that issued the refusal or imposed the measure may revoke them and delete the alert. Where the refusal or the measure is not revoked, the competent authorities under the first sentence shall hold consultations with the relevant other Member State in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1860 and Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1861.

(5) (New, SG No. 52/2025) An alert on preventing departure under Article 32(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, amending and repealing Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Decision 2010/261/EU (OJ L 312/56 of 7 December 2018) shall be entered in the SIS on the basis of a court order or decision rendered under the procedure of Art. 127b of the Family Code.

Art. 45. (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The costs related to the stay and removal from the Republic of Bulgaria of a foreign national who has entered the country at the invitation of a natural or legal person and who is found not to meet the statutory requirements for the residence of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria shall be borne by the host.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 12/2009, effective 01.01.2010) In the cases under para. 1, the costs of the stay and removal of the foreign national from the country shall be collected by the National Revenue Agency in accordance with the procedure provided for in the National Revenue Agency Act.

(3) (New, SG No. 52/2007, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) The costs of removing a foreign national from the country in execution of a decision under the Asylum and Refugees Act on the transfer of a foreign national to the State responsible for examining his or her application for international protection shall be borne by the State budget.

(4) (New, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) The employer or the host organisation shall bear the costs of return of the illegally staying third-country national.

(5) (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, former para. 4, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) The costs related to the return and readmission of the holder of an EU Blue Card and of his or her family members, issued by another Member State, shall be borne by the applicant and/or his or her employer.

Art. 46. (Amended, SG No. 42/2001) (1) (Amended, SG No. 30/2006, effective 12.07.2006, amended, SG No. 29/2007) Orders imposing coercive administrative measures may be appealed under the terms and procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 29/2007) Orders for:

1. (supplemented, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) withdrawal of the right of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria on the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 and 1a;

2. (amended, SG No. 23/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 70/2013 (*), supplemented, SG No. 101/2016, effective 20.12.2016) imposition of an entry ban and a ban on residence in the territory of the Member States of the European Union on the grounds under Art. 10(1), items 1 and 1a, and

3. expulsion

(amended, SG No. 77/2018, effective 01.01.2019) shall be subject to appeal before the competent administrative court in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code. The judgment of the court shall be final.

(3) The orders under para. 2 shall not state the factual grounds for imposing the coercive administrative measure.

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 21/2021) An appeal against an order under para. 2 shall not suspend the enforcement of the order, except where the order under para. 2, item 3 has been issued on the grounds of a serious threat to public order.

(5) (New, SG No. 21/2021) Where an appeal against an order under para. 2, item 3 does not suspend the enforcement of the order but contains substantiated allegations of a substantial risk under Art. 44a(1), the court may, of its own motion, upon receipt of the appeal, stay the preliminary enforcement in accordance with the procedure of Art. 166(3) of the Administrative Procedure Code. The measure shall not be enforced until the court rules.

Art. 46a. (New, SG No. 36/2009) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 23/2013) The order for compulsory accommodation in a special home may be appealed within 14 days of the actual accommodation in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code. The appeal shall not suspend the enforcement of the order.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 21/2021) The court shall examine the appeal in an open session scheduled no later than three days after receipt of the appeal and shall rule by a judgment within 7 days of the institution of the case. The appearance of the person shall not be mandatory. The judgment of the court of first instance may be appealed before the Supreme Administrative Court, which shall rule within 14 days of receipt of the appeal.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 97/2016, repealed, SG No. 97/2017)

(4) (Supplemented, SG No. 9/2011, repealed, SG No. 97/2017)

(5) (Amended, SG No. 97/2017, amended, SG No. 34/2019) Upon the entry into force of a court judgment revoking an order for compulsory accommodation under para. 1, under Art. 44(8) or under Art. 44(12), the foreign national shall be released immediately from the special home.

(6) (New, SG No. 97/2016) The order for short-term accommodation in a unit of a Special Home for Temporary Accommodation of Foreign Nationals under Art. 44(13) may be appealed before the court as to the lawfulness of the accommodation in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Procedure Code. The appeal shall not suspend the enforcement of the order. The court shall rule on the appeal immediately.

Art. 46b. (New, SG No. 42/2001, former Art. 46a, SG No. 36/2009) The State authorities exercising powers in connection with the terms and procedure for the entry, residence and exit of foreign nationals from the Republic of Bulgaria shall cooperate with the competent authorities of other States in combating illegal migration and in carrying out expulsion.

Art. 46c. (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011) The Republic of Bulgaria shall readmit immediately and without formalities the holder of an EU Blue Card issued by the Republic of Bulgaria and his or her family members, including where the EU Blue Card has expired or has been withdrawn while the application was being examined.

Art. 47. (Repealed, SG No. 42/2001, new, SG No. 52/2025) (1) Where the Republic of Bulgaria withdraws or refuses to issue an EU Blue Card to a foreign national granted international protection by another Member State, it shall, before expelling the foreign national, make an enquiry to the Member State that granted the protection as to whether the foreign national still enjoys international protection. Where the foreign national still enjoys international protection in the Member State that granted the protection, he or she and his or her family members shall be expelled to that Member State immediately.

(2) Where a Member State withdraws or does not renew an EU Blue Card of a foreign national granted international protection by the Republic of Bulgaria and takes a decision to expel him or her, the Republic of Bulgaria shall, within one month of receipt of the enquiry, provide information as to whether the foreign national still enjoys international protection and shall readmit immediately and without formalities the foreign national and his or her family members to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Section I A

Request for assistance in cases of transit for the purposes of removal of a foreign national from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria by air, made by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior to the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union (New, SG No. 29/2007)

Art. 47a. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior may, by written request, seek assistance from the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union in cases of transit for the purposes of removal of a foreign national from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria by air where it is impossible to use a direct flight to the State of final destination of the journey.

(2) Transit by air may not be requested where a change of airport is required in the territory of the other Member State of the European Union to which the request for assistance is addressed.

Art. 47b. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The request shall be sent to the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union whose assistance is sought immediately, but no later than two days before the date of the transit.

(2) Transit by air through the territory of another Member State of the European Union shall be carried out after receipt of the authorisation of its competent authorities.

(3) Where the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union to which the request is addressed do not reply within the time limit under para. 1, the transit operations may begin after the authorities of the Ministry of Interior notify its competent authorities of the carrying out of the transit.

Art. 47c. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The foreign national shall be readmitted immediately to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria where:

1. the authorisation for transit by air through the territory of the other Member State of the European Union has been refused or withdrawn;

2. the foreign national has entered without authorisation the territory of the other Member State of the European Union through which the transit is carried out;

3. the escorting of the foreign national for the transit through another Member State of the European Union or to the State of final destination of the journey has not taken place, or his or her boarding of the connecting flight has not taken place;

4. the transit by air cannot be carried out for other reasons.

(2) The costs related to the return of the foreign national shall be borne by the Republic of Bulgaria.

Section I B

Provision of assistance to the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union in cases of transit of a foreign national by air through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (New, SG No. 29/2007)

Art. 47d. (New, SG No. 29/2007) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior may provide assistance to the competent authorities of another Member State of the European Union for the transit of a foreign national by air through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria upon submission of a written request.

Art. 47e. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union which made the transit request of the decision to carry out the transit, as well as of the possibility of taking any of the measures under Art. 47g, within two days of receipt of the request.

(2) In exceptional cases, the time limit under para. 1 may be extended by no more than two days. The need to extend the time limit shall be reasoned.

(3) If the authorities of the Ministry of Interior do not notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union which made the transit request of the decision to carry out the transit within the time limit under para. 1 or 2, the transit operations may begin after notification by the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union.

Art. 47f. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) During the transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the foreign national may be escorted by persons authorised to do so under the legislation of the other Member State of the European Union whose competent authorities made the transit request.

(2) The persons escorting the foreign national shall have the right to assist the authorities of the Ministry of Interior in preventing the foreign national from absconding, causing self-harm, or causing injury to third parties or damage to the property of others.

(3) The persons escorting the foreign national shall be obliged to:

1. take the necessary action to prevent the circumstances under para. 2 in cases where it is not possible for the authorities of the Ministry of Interior to exercise their powers; in such cases the persons escorting the foreign national shall be obliged to comply with the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria;

2. present their identity documents, as well as the transit authorisation or the notification under Art. 47e(3), upon request by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior.

(4) The persons escorting the foreign national may not carry weapons or wear uniforms.

Art. 47g. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall provide assistance for carrying out the transit by applying one or more of the following measures:

1. receiving the foreign national from on board the aircraft and escorting him or her within the security zone of the transit airport;

2. providing emergency medical care to the foreign national and, where necessary, to the persons escorting him or her;

3. providing food for the foreign national and, where necessary, for the persons escorting him or her;

4. receiving, keeping and forwarding travel documents;

5. notifying the competent authorities which made the transit request of the exact time and place of departure of the foreign national from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, in cases where the foreign national is not escorted by persons authorised to do so;

6. notifying the competent authorities which made the transit request of any serious incidents that have occurred during the transit of the foreign national.

(2) Within the limits of their capabilities and in compliance with the applicable international rules, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall take all necessary measures to provide assistance from the landing and opening of the doors of the aircraft until the departure of the foreign national from the Republic of Bulgaria, following prior consultation with the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union which made the transit request, except in the cases under para. 1, item 2.

(3) Where the carrying out of the transit proves impossible and the readmission of the foreign national by the other Member State of the European Union whose competent authorities made the request is required, the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall provide assistance to that end.

Art. 47h. (New, SG No. 29/2007) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall take all necessary measures to carry out the transit within the shortest possible time, but no longer than 24 hours.

Art. 47i. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) The costs of providing assistance for the transit of a foreign national by air through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria shall be borne by the other Member State of the European Union whose competent authorities made the transit request.

(2) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall provide the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union with information on the costs under para. 1.

Art. 47j. (New, SG No. 29/2007) (1) Assistance for carrying out the transit under Art. 47d may be refused where:

1. the foreign national has been charged with committing a criminal offence under Bulgarian law or there is an effective sentence against him or her which is subject to enforcement in the Republic of Bulgaria;

2. the foreign national poses a threat to public security and order, public health or the relations of the Republic of Bulgaria with other States or international organisations;

3. transit through other States to the State of final destination of the journey is not possible, or the admission of the foreign national to the State of final destination of the journey is not possible;

4. a change of airport in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is required;

5. assistance for transit by air cannot be provided on the scheduled date for other reasons; in such cases the authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union which submitted the transit request of the earliest possible date for carrying out the transit.

(2) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior may refuse assistance for transit under Art. 47d where the grounds for refusal under para. 1 become known after consent to carry out the transit has been given.

(3) The authorities of the Ministry of Interior shall immediately notify the competent authorities of the other Member State of the European Union which made the transit request of the refusal to carry out the transit and of the reasons therefor.

Section II

Administrative penalty provisions

Art. 48. (1) A fine of BGN 500 to BGN 5,000 shall be imposed on a foreign national who:

1. has been expelled and enters the country;

2. (amended, SG No. 26/2008, amended, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) carries out commercial or other activity without the relevant authorisation or registration;

3. has remained in the country after the expiry of the period of residence.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 26/2008, amended and supplemented, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, repealed, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018)

(3) (Supplemented, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, amended, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) Where the violations under para. 1 are repeated, a fine of BGN 1,000 to BGN 10,000 shall be imposed, and legal persons shall be subject to a pecuniary sanction of BGN 4,000 to BGN 40,000.

Art. 48a. (New, SG No. 42/2001, repealed, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, new, SG No. 21/2021, effective 01.06.2021) (1) A fine of BGN 1,000 shall be imposed on an employer who is a natural person and who:

1. fails to notify the Migration Directorate of the termination of the employment relationship of a foreign national in accordance with Art. 24i(19), Art. 24j(21) and Art. 33j(20);

2. hires a foreign national who holds a valid visa but has not been issued a residence permit.

(2) For violations under para. 1, an employer which is a legal person shall be subject to a pecuniary sanction of BGN 3,000.

(3) For a repeated violation under para. 1, the pecuniary sanction shall be BGN 9,000.

Art. 48b. (New, SG No. 11/2005) (1) A fine of BGN 100 to BGN 1,000 shall be imposed on a natural person who fails to fulfil his or her obligations under Art. 28.

(2) A legal person which fails to fulfil its obligations under Art. 28 shall be subject to a pecuniary sanction of BGN 500 to BGN 5,000.

(3) Where the violation under para. 2 is repeated, the legal person shall be subject to a pecuniary sanction of BGN 1,000 to BGN 10,000.

Art. 48c. (New, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011, repealed, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018)

Art. 49. (1) A fine of up to BGN 3,000 shall be imposed on a foreign national who:

1. (amended, SG No. 97/2016) uses an irregular passport or a travel document substituting it;

2. (supplemented, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 82/2006, supplemented, SG No. 36/2009) loses, damages or destroys a Bulgarian identity document, a residence permit or documents issued by the border passport and visa control services;

3. as master or crew member of a vessel, fails to comply with the established border and passport regime of ports and port towns;

4. (amended, SG No. 29/2007) fails to fulfil his or her obligations under Art. 17(2) and Art. 30;

5. (amended, SG No. 82/2009) gives or accepts as a pledge, or transfers, a Bulgarian identity document.

(2) Where the violations under para. 1 are repeated, a fine of BGN 1,000 to BGN 6,000 shall be imposed, and legal persons shall be subject to a pecuniary sanction of BGN 20,000.

Art. 49a. (New, SG No. 23/2013) (1) The master of a vessel who, before arriving at a port in the territory of the country, fails to declare to the border control authorities the presence of stowaways on board the vessel shall be liable to a fine of BGN 3,000 to BGN 6,000.

(2) The master of a vessel, a shipowner or a ship’s agent who allows foreign nationals not holding the required documents under Art. 8 to disembark in the territory of the country shall be liable to a fine of BGN 6,000 to BGN 10,000 for each person so allowed.

Art. 50. (1) A fine of up to BGN 500 shall be imposed on a foreign national who:

1. (amended, SG No. 9/2011, amended, SG No. 97/2017) fails to fulfil his or her obligations under Art. 44(5), item 1;

2. has grossly breached the established order in the border control zone of a border checkpoint;

3. (amended, SG No. 23/2013) fails to comply with the conditions for transit through the country.

(2) Where the violations under para. 1 are repeated, a fine of BGN 200 to BGN 1,000 shall be imposed.

Art. 51. (Amended, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 29/2007, amended, SG No. 97/2016) A carrier which fails to fulfil its obligations under Art. 20 shall be liable to a fine or a pecuniary sanction of BGN 2,000 to BGN 10,000 for each person carried.

Art. 51a. (New, SG No. 63/2007, repealed, SG No. 15/2016, new, SG No. 52/2025) (1) A fine of BGN 100 to BGN 500 shall be imposed on a foreign national who fails to fulfil his or her obligation to submit an application within the time limit provided for in Art. 24i(4), Art. 33j(3), Art. 33n(5) and Art. 33o(4).

(2) A pecuniary sanction of BGN 200 to BGN 1,000 shall be imposed on an employer who fails to fulfil its obligation to submit an application within the time limit provided for in Art. 24i(4), Art. 33j(3) and Art. 33o(4).

(3) Where the violations under para. 1 are repeated, a fine of BGN 200 to BGN 1,000 shall be imposed.

(4) Where the violations under para. 2 are repeated, a pecuniary sanction of BGN 400 to BGN 2,000 shall be imposed.

(5) In minor cases, a fine shall be imposed in accordance with Art. 39(2) of the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act.

Art. 51b. (New, SG No. 52/2025) (1) A fine of BGN 100 to BGN 500 shall be imposed on a foreign national who, after entering the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), fails to fulfil his or her obligation to appear at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and to present, together with his or her application, a copy of the passport page bearing the visa and compulsory medical insurance within the time limit provided for in Art. 24i(16), Art. 24j(18), Art. 33j(14) and Art. 33o(15).

(2) A pecuniary sanction of BGN 500 to BGN 2,500 shall be imposed on an employer who fails to appear, in person or through a person authorised by it, together with the foreign national at the Migration Directorate or at the Migration department/sector/group of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior after the foreign national has entered the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a visa under Art. 15(1), within the time limit provided for in Art. 24i(16), Art. 24j(18), Art. 33j(14) and Art. 33o(15).

(3) Where the violations under para. 1 are repeated, a fine of BGN 200 to BGN 1,000 shall be imposed.

(4) Where the violations under para. 2 are repeated, a pecuniary sanction of BGN 1,000 to BGN 5,000 shall be imposed.

(5) In minor cases, a fine shall be imposed in accordance with Art. 39(2) of the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act.

Art. 52. (1) Where no other penalty is provided for a violation of this Act and of the regulations issued on the basis thereof, the offender shall be liable to a fine of up to BGN 500.

(2) In minor cases, a fine shall be imposed in accordance with Art. 39(2) of the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act.

Art. 53. (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, amended, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) Violations of this Act shall be established by a statement drawn up by the authorities of the Ministry of Interior and, in the cases under Art. 24a, by the authorities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

(2) On the basis of the statements drawn up, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, or officials designated by them, shall issue penalty decrees.

(3) The drawing up of the statements and the issuance, appeal and enforcement of the penalty decrees shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure of the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act.

Chapter Six. Information activities of the services for administrative control of foreign nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria

Art. 54. (New, SG No. 37/2003) (1) (Amended, SG No. 9/2011) A Unified Register of Foreign Nationals shall be maintained at the Ministry of Interior, containing data on foreign nationals in extended, long-term and permanent residence.

(2) For the purpose of performing the statutory functions of the services for administrative control of foreign nationals at the Ministry of Interior, data shall be processed concerning:

1. visa control of foreign citizens;

2. border control of crossings by foreign citizens;

3. (amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) foreign nationals seeking or granted protection in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

4. address registration of foreign nationals in short-term residence;

5. administrative penalties and coercive administrative measures imposed on foreign nationals;

6. the acquisition, loss and restoration of Bulgarian citizenship.

(3) (New, SG No. 103/2003, effective 26.02.2004, amended, SG No. 82/2006, amended, SG No. 69/2008, amended, SG No. 53/2014, amended, SG No. 14/2015) The services for administrative control of foreign nationals shall be obliged to provide the Migration Directorate in a timely manner with all information under para. 2.

(4) (Former para. 3, SG No. 103/2003, effective 26.02.2004) The services for administrative control of foreign nationals at the Ministry of Interior shall process the following data:

1. names in Cyrillic and Latin script, date of birth, place of birth, sex, citizenship;

2. unified civil number and/or personal number of a foreign national;

3. permanent address in the Republic of Bulgaria;

4. current address in the Republic of Bulgaria;

5. document for travel abroad (type, series, number, date and place of issue and period of validity);

6. purpose of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria;

7. visa (type, number, date and place of issue, validity and duration of stay);

8. grounds on which residence in the Republic of Bulgaria has been permitted;

9. applications for long-term residence permission (number, date, decision);

10. (amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) decisions on the granting of protection in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (date and number);

11. period of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria;

12. marital status;

13. spouse;

14. children under 18 years of age;

15. permanent address in the country of which the person is a citizen;

16. decree of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria on change of citizenship;

17. entries into and exits from the Republic of Bulgaria;

18. host;

19. tourist vouchers;

20. occupation and place of work;

21. coercive administrative measures imposed;

22. official data;

23. (new, SG No. 29/2007) biometric data: photographs and 10 fingerprints;

24. (former item 23, SG No. 29/2007) other data specified by law.

(5) (New, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The State Agency for National Security shall use the information from the register under para. 1 for the performance of its statutory functions in accordance with a procedure established by a joint ordinance of the Minister of Interior and the Chairperson of the Agency.

Art. 55. (New, SG No. 37/2003) (1) Data from the Unified Register of Foreign Nationals shall be provided to:

1. State authorities and organisations on the basis of a law or an act of the judiciary;

2. Bulgarian citizens and foreign nationals, only where the data relate to them;

3. Bulgarian and foreign legal persons on the basis of a law or by an act of the judiciary;

4. services of other States, in accordance with the international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party;

5. the Unified System for Civil Registration and Administrative Services to the Population (ESGRAON).

(2) Bulgarian citizens and foreign nationals shall be entitled to receive information stored in the data files relating to third parties only on the basis of a law or by an act of the judiciary.

(3) (Amended, SG No. 30/2006, effective 12.07.2006, amended, SG No. 77/2018, effective 01.01.2019) A refusal to provide data from the Unified Register of Foreign Nationals may be appealed in accordance with the procedure of Art. 46.

Art. 56. (New, SG No. 37/2003, amended and supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, amended, SG No. 97/2016) The Ministry of Interior, the State Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall exchange information for the imposition of restrictions on entry into the Republic of Bulgaria and for the approval of applications for the issuance of visas to foreign nationals.

Art. 57. (New, SG No. 37/2003, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) The Ministry of Interior shall exchange data with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and with the State Agency for National Security in connection with the issuance of work permits to foreign nationals and the issuance of permits for the pursuit of self-employment activity by foreign nationals within the meaning of the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act.

Art. 58. (New, SG No. 37/2003, supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, amended, SG No. 82/2009, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) The Ministry of Interior shall exchange information with the State Agency for National Security and the State Agency for Refugees in connection with the issuance of Bulgarian identity documents to foreign nationals seeking or granted protection and for conducting proceedings for the granting of protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act.

Art. 59. (New, SG No. 37/2003) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security shall exchange data with the judicial authorities in connection with the performance of their functions in imposing and revoking coercive administrative measures.

(2) (Amended and supplemented, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008) The Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security shall interact with the Ministry of Justice with regard to foreign nationals released from places of deprivation of liberty and to persons applying for acquisition, restoration of or release from Bulgarian citizenship.

Art. 60. (1) (New, SG No. 37/2003, former text of Art. 60, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, supplemented, SG No. 36/2009, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) The Ministry of Interior shall interact and exchange data with ESGRAON and with the municipal administrations in connection with the issuance of Bulgarian identity documents and residence permits and with the administrative servicing of foreign nationals in long-term or permanent residence.

(2) (New, SG No. 109/2007, effective 01.01.2008, supplemented, SG No. 9/2011) The State Agency for National Security shall interact and exchange data with ESGRAON and with the municipal administrations in connection with the administrative servicing of foreign nationals in long-term or permanent residence.

Art. 61. (New, SG No. 37/2003, amended, SG No. 103/2003, effective 26.02.2004) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall maintain a register containing the data under Art. 54(4), as well as data on applications for the issuance of visas submitted by foreign nationals and on restrictions imposed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the procedure of Art. 21a.

Supplementary Provisions

§ 1. For the purposes of this Act:

1. (repealed, SG No. 9/2011)

1a. (new, SG No. 9/2011) “Family reunification” means the entry into and residence in a Member State by family members of a foreign national residing lawfully in that Member State, in order to preserve the family unit, whether the family relationships arose before or after the entry of that person.

1b. (new, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) “First Member State” means the Member State which first granted long-term resident status, or the Member State which first grants an “EU Blue Card” to the foreign national or an intra-corporate transferee permit.

1c. (new, SG No. 9/2011) “Second Member State” means any Member State other than the first Member State.

1d. (new, SG No. 9/2011) “EU Blue Card” means a permit bearing the designation “EU Blue Card” which entitles the holder to reside and work in the territory of a Member State of the European Union for the purposes of highly qualified employment.

1e. (new, SG No. 70/2013) “Single permit for residence and work” means a document bearing the designation “single permit for residence and work” which simultaneously authorises third-country foreign nationals to reside and work in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

1f. (new, SG No. 70/2013, supplemented, SG No. 21/2021) “Single application procedure” means the procedure whereby, following a single application for authorisation of residence and work of a third-country national submitted by an employer or by a foreign national, a decision on that application is taken.

1g. (new, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) “Intra-corporate transferee permit” means the permit bearing the designation “ICT – intra-corporate transfer” which entitles the holder to reside and work in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as the first Member State of the European Union for the purposes of an intra-corporate transfer, issued to a worker who is a third-country national in compliance with the single application procedure.

1h. (new, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016) “Permit for mobility in an intra-corporate transfer” means the permit bearing the designation “mobile ICT – mobility in an ICT” which entitles the holder to reside and work in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as the second Member State of the European Union for the purposes of an intra-corporate transfer.

1i. (new, SG No. 33/2016, effective 21.05.2016, amended, SG No. 21/2021) “Residence permit for the purpose of employment as a seasonal worker” means the permit bearing the designation “seasonal worker” which entitles the holder to reside and work in the territory of a Member State of the European Union for the purposes of seasonal work.

1j. (new, SG No. 24/2018, effective 23.05.2018) “Union or multilateral programme comprising studies in more than one Member State” means a programme funded by the European Union or its Member States to promote the mobility of foreign nationals within the EU or in the territory of the respective Member States participating in the programme concerned.

2. (amended, SG No. 9/2011) “Systematic violation” occurs where, within one year, the foreign national has committed more than two violations.

3. (supplemented, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 97/2016) “Passport or travel document substituting it” means a document which has been issued in accordance with the statutory procedure of the State concerned, in which a visa may be affixed and which entitles the foreign national to return to the State from which he or she enters, to the State of origin or to a third country, the photograph in which allows the identity of its holder to be established, which contains no alterations, crossings-out, erasures, additions or the like in the data, shows no traces of replacement of the photograph, bears clear stamps, the photograph in which matches the appearance of the holder, and the period of validity of which has not expired.

3a. (new, SG No. 36/2009) “Residence permit” means any residence permit issued by the competent authorities of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with the uniform format laid down by Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals.

3b. (new, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011) “Illegally staying foreign national” means any foreign national who is a third-country national, who is present in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and who does not fulfil, or no longer fulfils, the conditions for stay or residence.

4. (amended, SG No. 23/2013) “Return” means the act of voluntary or forced compliance with an obligation to return the foreign national to his or her country of origin or country of transit in accordance with an agreement of the European Union with a third country or with bilateral readmission agreements or other arrangements, or to a third country to which the foreign national voluntarily decides to return and in which he or she will be accepted.

4a. (new, SG No. 36/2009) “Voluntary departure” means compliance with the obligation of the foreign national to return within the time limit fixed for that purpose in the order imposing a coercive administrative measure.

4b. (new, SG No. 9/2011) “Vulnerable persons” means minors under 14 or minors aged 14 to 18, unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.

4c. (new, SG No. 9/2011, amended and supplemented, SG No. 23/2013) “Risk of absconding of a foreign national on whom a coercive administrative measure under Art. 39a(1), items 2 and 3 has been imposed” exists where, in view of the factual data, a reasonable assumption can be made that the same person will attempt to evade the enforcement of the measure imposed. Data to that effect may include the circumstance that the person cannot be found at the address of residence declared by him or her, the existence of previous breaches of public order or of previous convictions of the person, irrespective of rehabilitation, that the person has not left the country within the time limit granted for voluntary departure, has clearly indicated that he or she will not comply with the measure imposed, holds forged documents or has no documents at all, has provided false information, has already absconded, has not complied with an entry ban, and others.

5. (amended, SG No. 21/2021) “Services for administrative control of foreign nationals” means the Migration Directorate and the Migration department/sectors/groups of the Sofia Metropolitan Directorate of Interior or of the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior.

6. (new, SG No. 42/2001) “Person of Bulgarian origin” means a person at least one of whose ascendants is Bulgarian.

7. (new, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 29/2007) “Extraordinary circumstances” means natural disasters and calamities, accidents, crashes, robberies and circumstances that have led to the provision of emergency medical care, as well as other events beyond the will of the foreign national which he or she could not have foreseen or prevented.

7a. (new, SG No. 63/2005) “European Economic Area” means the economic community comprising the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

8. (new, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 34/2019) “School” means an institution within the meaning of Art. 25(1) of the Pre-School and School Education Act which participates in a pupil exchange programme or an educational project.

9. (new, SG No. 42/2001, amended, SG No. 112/2001, effective 01.01.2002, amended, SG No. 9/2011, supplemented, SG No. 43/2011, effective 15.06.2011) “Self-employment activity” means any economic activity, except for the activity under Art. 24(1), item 2 and under Art. 25(1), item 13, carried out in a personal capacity without commitment to an employer.

10. (new, SG No. 37/2003) “De facto cohabitation” exists where the persons live in one household and cohabit as spouses.

11. (new, SG No. 37/2003) “Carrier” means a natural or legal person which, under its national legislation, is entitled to carry out transport by land, air or water by means of a vehicle intended for carrying out such activity.

12. (new, SG No. 9/2011) “Commercial intermediary” means a private administrative agency, a transport company or a travel agency (tour operator or retailer).

13. (new, SG No. 23/2013, effective 01.05.2013, amended, SG No. 80/2015, effective 16.10.2015) “International protection” is a concept within the meaning of the Asylum and Refugees Act.

14. (new, SG No. 23/2013, amended, SG No. 97/2016) “Reasonable doubts” within the meaning of Art. 10(1), item 24 means doubts as to the risk of illegal immigration where it is established from the interview conducted and from the documents submitted that the applicant is using the purposes of the journey as a pretext for settling illegally in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, or where there is a contradiction between the statements made and his or her intention to leave the country within the authorised period of stay.

15. (new, SG No. 97/2016) “State interest” exists where the refusal of admission of the foreign national to the territory of the country or his or her departure therefrom could seriously harm the international relations of the Republic of Bulgaria and this is confirmed in writing by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or by officials authorised by him or her.

16. (new, SG No. 97/2016) “Humanitarian reasons” exist where the refusal of admission of a foreign national to, or his or her departure from, the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria would create a serious danger to his or her health or life owing to the existence of objective circumstances, or to the integrity of his or her family, or where the best interests of the family or of the child require his or her admission to or remaining in the territory of the country.

17. (new, SG No. 97/2016, supplemented, SG No. 67/2023) “Biometric data” means digital images of the face and of the ten fingerprints which are collected and used to verify a claimed identity or to recognise and establish the actual identity. For the purposes of the EES, biometric data means fingerprint data and the facial image as defined in Art. 3(1), points 16 to 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

18. (new, SG No. 97/2016) “Annulment of a visa” means a decision of a competent authority declaring invalid an authorisation for entry into and stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or for airport transit, where it is subsequently established that the conditions for its issuance were not met, as well as where there is evidence that the visa was obtained by fraud.

19. (new, SG No. 97/2016) “Revocation of a visa” means a decision of a competent authority declaring an authorisation for entry into and stay in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or for airport transit invalid where the conditions for issuing the visa have ceased to be met, or upon a written application by the person to whom it was issued.

20. (new, SG No. 97/2017, amended, SG No. 34/2019, amended, SG No. 52/2025) “Evidence of secured accommodation” means the following documents:

(a) a notarial deed or another document proving ownership or use of the property; the documents proving use of the property shall be presented in original or with notarised signatures;

(b) a declaration by the owner of the property of the provision of an address of residence; where the declaration is not submitted in person by the owner or by a person authorised by him or her, it shall bear a notarial certification of the signature and of the content, performed simultaneously.

21. (new, SG No. 14/2018) “Dependant” means the spouse of a member of the armed forces or of a member of the civilian component of a NATO structure stationed in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as persons in respect of whom the member of the armed forces or the member of the civilian component exercises parental, guardianship or curatorship rights or is obliged to provide maintenance in accordance with the legislation of the sending State.

22. (new, SG No. 8/2023) “Business activity” means a temporary activity directly related to the business interests of the employer and to the professional duties of the holder of an EU Blue Card on the basis of the employment contract, including attending internal or external business meetings, attending conferences or seminars, negotiating business deals, undertaking sales or marketing activities, exploring business opportunities, or attending and receiving training.

23. (new, SG No. 67/2023) “Travel authorisation” means a decision issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

24. (new, SG No. 67/2023) “Entry/Exit System” means the system established under Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

25. (new, SG No. 67/2023) “Central access points” within the meaning of Art. 9m(2) means the units designated by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior within the designated authorities under Art. 9m(1), items 1 to 4, which process the requests and provide the information in the EES.

26. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Trainee employee” means a person with a higher education degree who is transferred to the host entity for career development purposes or in order to obtain training in business techniques or methods and who is paid during the transfer.

27. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Specialist” means a person working within a branch of the undertaking or within an undertaking belonging to the same group of undertakings, having its registered office or address of management in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, who possesses specialised knowledge essential to the host entity’s areas of activity, techniques or management.

28. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Trainee” means a foreign national who holds a higher education degree or who is pursuing a course of study leading to a higher education degree in a third country, and who is admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria under a traineeship programme in order to gain knowledge, practical skills and experience in a professional environment.

29. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Student” means a foreign national within the meaning of Art. 66(2) and (3) of the Higher Education Act who is enrolled in full-time study, which may include a preparatory course and/or a compulsory traineeship.

30. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Pupil” means a foreign national within the meaning of Art. 173(1) of the Pre-School and School Education Act who is admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria under a pupil exchange programme or an educational project carried out by a school.

31. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Postgraduate specialisation trainee” means a foreign national within the meaning of Art. 66(4) of the Higher Education Act who is enrolled in full-time study, which may include a preparatory course and/or a compulsory traineeship.

32. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Evidence of an office” means a notarial deed or another document proving ownership or use of the property. The documents proving use of the property shall be presented in original or with notarised signatures.

33. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Member States” means the Member States of the European Union applying the Schengen acquis in full, as well as Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation.

34. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Internal borders” is a concept within the meaning of Art. 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code).

35. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “External borders” is a concept within the meaning of Art. 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code).

36. (new, SG No. 52/2025) “Digital nomad” means a foreign national who:

1. is employed under an employment contract by an employer registered/established outside a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation and who provides remote services using information technology; where the employment contract is concluded for a fixed term, the remaining term of the contract shall be no shorter than the period of validity of the extended residence permit issued on that ground, or

2. is a legal representative, a member of the management body, an owner of a company, or a partner or shareholder holding more than 25 per cent of the capital of a company registered/established outside a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, through which he or she provides remote services using information technology, and does not perform work and/or provide services to persons in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, or

3. provides remote services in a personal capacity using information technology for a period of no less than one year before the date of submission of the application and does not perform work and/or provide services to persons in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and/or does not carry out self-employment activity in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

§ 2. Fees determined by an act of the Council of Ministers shall be collected for the issuance of visas, residence permits and other documents under this Act.

§ 2a. (New, SG No. 67/2023) The stamping of the last entry into the country in the travel document upon submission of an application for the issuance of a residence permit shall be required in so far as applicable under Annex IV to the Schengen Borders Code.

§ 2b. (New, SG No. 67/2023) The fallback procedures under Art. 13a of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Art. 46 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 shall apply where, owing to a failure of part of the ETIAS and EES information systems or for other technical reasons, carriers are unable to send a query to the system.

§ 2c. (New, SG No. 52/2025) This Act transposes the requirements of Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the conditions of entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers (OJ L 94/375 of 28 March 2014) and of Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC (OJ L 382/1 of 28 October 2021).

§ 2d. (New, SG No. 52/2025) The State Agency for National Security shall provide opinions on applications submitted on the grounds of Art. 24i, 24j, 24k, 33j and 33o solely in the “Single Register of Foreign Nationals” automated information system referred to in Art. 54(1).

Transitional and Final Provisions

§ 3. This Act repeals the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria (promulgated, SG No. 93/1972; amended and supplemented, SG No. 36/1979, No. 17/1987, No. 26/1988, No. 53/1989, No. 27/1994, No. 120/1997, Nos. 11 and 93/1998).

§ 4. In Art. 9(2) of the Foreign Investment Act (promulgated, SG No. 97/1997; corrected, SG No. 99/1997; amended, SG No. 29/1998), after the words “the Minister of Interior” the words “or by officials authorised by him” shall be added.

§ 5. The Council of Ministers shall issue regulations for the implementation of this Act.

§ 6. The implementation of the Act is entrusted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.

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The Act was adopted by the 38th National Assembly on 11 November 1998 and on 15 December 1998 and was affixed with the official seal of the National Assembly.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE HEALTH ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 70/2004, EFFECTIVE 01.01.2005)

§ 38. Within one year of the entry into force of the Act, the Council of Ministers shall adopt and the Minister of Health shall issue the statutory instruments for its implementation.

§ 39. Until the entry into force of the acts referred to in § 38, the statutory instruments issued for the implementation of the repealed Public Health Act shall apply in so far as they do not contradict this Act.

§ 40. The implementation of the Act is entrusted to the Minister of Health.

§ 41. The Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2005, with the exception of Art. 53(3), which shall enter into force on 1 January 2006.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 63/2005)

§ 6. Paragraph 1, § 2, item 1 and § 4 shall enter into force on 1 January 2006.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE CODE

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 30/2006, EFFECTIVE 12.07.2006)

§ 139. In the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005), the words “the Administrative Proceedings Act” shall be replaced throughout by “the Administrative Procedure Code”.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 142. The Code shall enter into force three months after its promulgation in the State Gazette, with the exception of:

1. Part Three, § 2, item 1 and § 2, item 2 – as regards the repeal of Chapter Three, Section II “Appeal by judicial procedure”, § 9, items 1 and 2, § 11, items 1 and 2, § 15, § 44, items 1 and 2, § 51, item 1, § 53, item 1, § 61, item 1, § 66, item 3, § 76, items 1 – 3, § 78, § 79, § 83, item 1, § 84, items 1 and 2, § 89, items 1 – 4, § 101, item 1, § 102, item 1, § 107, § 117, items 1 and 2, § 125, § 128, items 1 and 2, § 132, item 2 and § 136, item 1, as well as § 34, § 35, item 2, § 43, item 2, § 62, item 1, § 66, items 2 and 4, § 97, item 2 and § 125, item 1 – as regards the replacement of the word “the regional” by “the administrative” and the replacement of the words “the Sofia City Court” by “the Administrative Court – Sofia City”, which shall enter into force on 1 March 2007;

2. paragraph 120, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2007;

3. paragraph 3, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of the Code in the State Gazette.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE SOCIAL SECURITY CODE

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 82/2006)

§ 14. The following amendments shall be made to the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005, No. 30/2006):

1. The words “border passport control” shall be replaced throughout by “border passport and visa control”.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Supplementary Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 29/2007)

§ 40. This Act transposes the requirements of Council Directive 2003/110/EC on assistance in cases of transit for the purposes of removal by air, Council Directive 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents, Council Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification, Council Directive 2001/51/EC supplementing the provisions of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985, and Council Directive 2001/40/EC on the mutual recognition of decisions on the expulsion of third-country nationals.

Supplementary Provisions

TO THE ACT SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 63/2007)

§ 4. This Act transposes the provisions of Council Directive 2004/82/EC on the obligation of carriers to communicate passenger data and of Council Directive 2005/71/EC on a specific procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purposes of scientific research.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE STATE AGENCY FOR NATIONAL SECURITY ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 109/2007, EFFECTIVE 01.01.2008)

§ 44. The Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2008.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 13/2008, EFFECTIVE 08.02.2008)

§ 16. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE TAX AND SOCIAL INSURANCE PROCEDURE CODE

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 12/2009, EFFECTIVE 01.05.2009, SUPPLEMENTED, SG No. 32/2009)

§ 68. (Supplemented, SG No. 32/2009) The Act shall enter into force on 1 May 2009, with the exception of § 65, 66 and 67, which shall enter into force on the date of promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette, and § 2 – 10, § 12, items 1 and 2 – as regards para. 3, § 13 – 22, § 24 – 35, § 36, paras. 1 – 4, § 37 – 51, § 52, items 1 – 3, item 4, letter (a), item 7, letter (f) – as regards paras. 10 and 11, item 8, letter (a), items 9 and 12, and § 53 – 64, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2010.

Supplementary Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 36/2009)

§ 16. This Act transposes the requirements of Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ L 348/98 of 24 December 2008).

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 36/2009)

§ 17. Pending administrative proceedings for the issuance of a permanent residence permit on the grounds of Art. 25(1), items 6, 7 and 8 and of the family members thereof within the meaning of § 1, item 1 of the Supplementary Provisions shall be completed under the terms of this Act.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 74/2009, EFFECTIVE 15.09.2009)

§ 48. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette, with the exception of § 1, which shall enter into force on 15 September 2009, and § 47, which shall enter into force on 1 October 2009.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 93/2009, EFFECTIVE 25.12.2009)

§ 100. The Act shall enter into force one month after its promulgation in the State Gazette, with the exception of § 1, 2, 21, 36, 39, 41, 44, 45, 49, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70 and 91, which shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE WEAPONS, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC ARTICLES ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 73/2010, EFFECTIVE 17.09.2010)

§ 32. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette, with the exception of:

1. Articles 15, 16, Art. 17(3), Art. 29(1) – (3), Art. 30, 33, 34, 44, 72, 107, 110, Art. 121(2), item 10, Art. 130, Art. 145(1), item 5, Art. 162, 163, 164, Art. 166(2) and (4), Art. 169 and Art. 214(5), which shall enter into force on 5 April 2012;

2. Article 94(1), which shall enter into force on 1 March 2011.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 9/2011, AMENDED, SG No. 56/2018, AMENDED, SG No. 21/2021)

§ 49. (1) Pending proceedings for the issuance of a residence permit shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

(2) Within three months of the entry into force of this Act, the effect of the coercive administrative measures imposed by orders on the grounds of the repealed para. 2 of Art. 43 shall be terminated.

(3) Pending proceedings under Art. 46a shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 65. (Amended, SG No. 56/2018, amended, SG No. 21/2021) Paragraph 8, item 3, § 21, item 3 (as regards Art. 26(6)), § 38, item 2, § 43 and § 51, items 4 and 5 shall apply after the entry into force of a Council decision on the putting into effect of the remaining provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and in Romania.

§ 66. Paragraph 18 as regards Art. 24f(3), second sentence, § 35, § 38, item 1, letter (f) as regards Art. 40(1), items 11 and 12, and § 50, item 1 (as regards item 1a, second sentence) and item 2 (as regards items 7 and 8) shall enter into force on 1 June 2011.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 43/2011, EFFECTIVE 15.06.2011)

§ 21. The Act shall enter into force on 15 June 2011, with the exception of § 5, which shall enter into force on 1 July 2011, and § 16, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2011.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 44/2012, EFFECTIVE 01.07.2012)

§ 54. (1) The Chief Directorate National Police established by this Act shall be the legal successor to the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the Chief Directorate Criminal Police and of the Chief Directorate Security Police.

(2) Procedural representation in pending disputes of the Chief Directorate Criminal Police and the Chief Directorate Security Police shall be exercised by the director of the Chief Directorate National Police.

§ 55. Upon the entry into force of this Act, the existing civil service and employment relationships of the civil servants and of the persons working under an employment relationship in the Chief Directorate Criminal Police and in the Chief Directorate Security Police shall be transformed into civil service and employment relationships, respectively, of civil servants and of persons working under an employment relationship in the Chief Directorate National Police.

§ 56. The secondary legislation issued before the entry into force of this Act shall apply until the issuance of the corresponding new acts, in so far as it does not contradict this Act.

§ 57. The length of service acquired under the Civil Servants Act and under the Labour Code by the employees referred to in § 64 of the Transitional and Final Provisions of the Act Amending and Supplementing the Ministry of Interior Act (SG No. 93/2009) shall be counted as work with one and the same employer or appointing authority, respectively.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 70. The Act shall enter into force on 1 July 2012.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 16/2013)

§ 31. Pending administrative proceedings for the issuance of a permanent residence permit on the grounds of the repealed item 7 of Art. 25(1) of the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

Supplementary Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 23/2013, AMENDED, SG No. 56/2018)

§ 33. This Act transposes the requirements of Directive 2011/51/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2011 amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC to extend its scope to beneficiaries of international protection (OJ L 132/1 of 19 May 2011).

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 23/2013, AMENDED, SG No. 56/2018)

§ 35. (Amended, SG No. 56/2018) Paragraph 4, items 2, 3 and 4, § 20, item 1, § 23, item 2, § 24, § 26, item 1 and § 28 shall apply after the entry into force of a Council decision on the putting into effect of the remaining provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and in Romania.

§ 36. Paragraph 12, item 2, § 14, items 2 and 3, § 15, 18, 19, § 27, item 2 as regards Art. 44a(4), § 32, item 3 as regards § 1, item 13 of the Supplementary Provisions, and § 34 shall enter into force on 1 May 2013.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE STATE AGENCY FOR NATIONAL SECURITY ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 52/2013, EFFECTIVE 14.06.2013)

§ 27. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING THE YOUTH ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 68/2013, EFFECTIVE 02.08.2013)

§ 55. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 70/2013, AMENDED, SG No. 56/2018)

§ 22. (Effective 24.12.2013) The Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act transposes the requirements of Directive 2011/98/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State (OJ L 343/1 of 23 December 2011) and of Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment (OJ L 155/17 of 18 June 2009).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 25. (1) Paragraph 14, § 20, items 2 and 3, § 21, items 1, 3, 4 and 7, § 22 and 23 shall enter into force on 24 December 2013.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 56/2018) Paragraph 21, items 6, 8, item 9, letter (b), item 10, letter (a) and item 11 shall enter into force on the date of entry into force of a Council decision on the putting into effect of the remaining provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and in Romania.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 108/2013)

§ 4. This Act shall also apply to applications for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation submitted before its entry into force.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING THE ACT ON THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ON THE CONTROL OF TOXIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES AND THEIR PRECURSORS

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 14/2015)

§ 29. In the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005, Nos. 30 and 82/2006, Nos. 11, 29, 52, 63 and 109/2007, Nos. 13, 26, 28 and 69/2008, Nos. 12, 32, 36, 74, 82, 93 and 103/2009, No. 73/2010, Nos. 9 and 43/2011, Nos. 21 and 44/2012, Nos. 16, 23, 52, 68, 70 and 108/2013 and No. 53/2014), the words “the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism” shall be replaced throughout by “the Ministry of Economy”.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL EDUCATION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 79/2015, EFFECTIVE 01.08.2016)

§ 60. The Act shall enter into force on 1 August 2016, with the exception of:

1. Art. 22(2), items 3, 4 and 13 and para. 3, Chapter Six, Sections I, II and III and § 58, which shall enter into force one month after the promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette;

2. Chapter Seven, which shall enter into force two months after the promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette;

3. Chapter Sixteen, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2017;

4. paragraph 46, item 1, letter (a), which shall enter into force on 1 August 2022.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE ASYLUM AND REFUGEES ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 80/2015, EFFECTIVE 16.10.2015)

§ 78. The following amendments and supplements shall be made to the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005, Nos. 30 and 82/2006, Nos. 11, 29, 52, 63 and 109/2007, Nos. 13, 26, 28 and 69/2008, Nos. 12, 32, 36, 74, 82, 93 and 103/2009, No. 73/2010, Nos. 9 and 43/2011, Nos. 21 and 44/2012, Nos. 16, 23, 52, 68 and 70, 108/2013, No. 53/2014 and No. 14/2015):

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6. The word “special” shall be deleted throughout the Act.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 83. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette, with the exception of § 40, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2016.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE LABOUR MIGRATION AND LABOUR MOBILITY ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 33/2016, EFFECTIVE 21.05.2016)

§ 8. The Act shall enter into force on 21 May 2016, with the exception of Section VIII of Chapter Two, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2017.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 97/2016)

§ 52. (1) Travel documents for stateless persons issued before the entry into force of this Act shall be valid until the expiry of the period for which they were issued.

(2) Travel documents for stateless persons issued after the entry into force of this Act shall follow the existing template approved by an act of the Council of Ministers.

§ 53. Proceedings not completed by the entry into force of this Act, with the exception of proceedings for the issuance of a “travel document for a stateless person”, shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE BULGARIAN IDENTITY DOCUMENTS ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 101/2016, EFFECTIVE 01.01.2020, AMENDED, SG No. 97/2017, AMENDED, SG No. 1/2019, EFFECTIVE 31.12.2018)

§ 21. (Amended, SG No. 97/2017, amended, SG No. 1/2019, effective 31.12.2018) The Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2020, with the exception of § 12, 13, 16, 19 and 20, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 97/2017)

§ 54. Court proceedings under the repealed paras. 3 and 4 of Art. 46a of the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act that were initiated but not completed by the entry into force of this Act shall be heard under the procedure in force until now.

§ 55. Proceedings for the granting of decisions and the issuance of permits for residence and work to third-country nationals under the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and under the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act that were initiated but not completed by the entry into force of this Act shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

§ 56. (1) Paragraphs 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, § 34, item 1, letter (b) and item 2, § 40, 41, § 51, item 1, item 2 as regards the second sentence, item 7, letter (b) and item 12, letter (b), and § 52 shall enter into force on 1 January 2018.

(2) Paragraph 44, item 11 shall enter into force on 1 January 2017.

(3) Paragraph 45, item 4 shall enter into force on 1 August 2017.

(4) Paragraph 47, item 2 and item 14, letter (d), § 51, item 2 as regards the first sentence, item 3, letter (b) and item 14, letter (a) as regards item 68 shall enter into force 6 months after the promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE LABOUR MIGRATION AND LABOUR MOBILITY ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 24/2018, EFFECTIVE 23.05.2018)

§ 55. The Act shall enter into force on 23 May 2018.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE CODE

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 77/2018, EFFECTIVE 01.01.2019)

§ 156. The Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2019, with the exception of:

1. paragraphs 4, 11, 14, 16, 20, 30, 31, 74 and § 105, item 1 as regards the first sentence and item 2, which shall enter into force on 10 October 2019;

2. paragraphs 38 and 77, which shall enter into force two months after the promulgation of this Act in the State Gazette;

3. paragraph 79, items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, § 150 and 153, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of this Act in the State Gazette.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING THE ACT ON THE PASSAGE THROUGH AND STAY IN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA OF ALLIED AND FOREIGN ARMED FORCES

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 1/2019)

§ 5. Paragraph 2, item 2 shall enter into force on 31 December 2018.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 24/2019, EFFECTIVE 01.07.2020, AMENDED AS REGARDS THE ENTRY INTO FORCE, SG No. 101/2019)

§ 45. (Amended, SG No. 101/2019) The Act shall enter into force on 1 July 2020, with the exception of:

1. paragraph 6, item 5, letter (a), § 7, item 2, letters (a) and (b), item 3, item 6, letter (a), items 9 and 10, § 18, item 2 in the part concerning “homes for medical and social care for children under the Medical Establishments Act” and § 20, item 2 in the part concerning the deletion of the words “and the homes for medical and social care for children”, and item 5, letter (c), which shall enter into force on 1 January 2021;

2. paragraph 3, item 4, letters (f), (g) and (h) and § 28, item 1, letter (a), items 2 and 5, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2019.

3. Art. 22(4), Art. 40, Art. 109(1), Art. 124, Art. 161(2), § 3, item 6, § 30, 36, 37 and 43, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 34/2019, AMENDED, SG No. 60/2020, EFFECTIVE 01.02.2020)

§ 24. ((*), repealed, SG No. 60/2020, effective 01.02.2020)

§ 34. (1) Paragraph 5, § 7, item 1, letter (c) and § 17 shall enter into force 6 months after the promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

(2) Paragraph 24 shall enter into force on the day following the date of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT ON THE MEASURES AND ACTIONS DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY A DECISION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF 13 MARCH 2020 AND ON OVERCOMING THE CONSEQUENCES

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT ON THE MEASURES AND ACTIONS DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY A DECISION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF 13 MARCH 2020

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 28/2020, EFFECTIVE 13.03.2020, AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, SG No. 44/2020, EFFECTIVE 14.05.2020)

§ 52. (Amended, SG No. 44/2020, effective 14.05.2020) The Act shall enter into force on 13 March 2020, with the exception of Art. 5, § 3, § 12, § 25 – 31, § 41, § 49 and § 51, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE HEALTH ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 44/2020, EFFECTIVE 14.05.2020)

§ 44. The Act shall enter into force on 14 May 2020, with the exception of § 33, 34 and 35, which shall enter into force on the day of promulgation of the Act in the State Gazette.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 60/2020)

§ 105. (1) Paragraph 1, item 1, § 4, 5, 6, 8, § 10 – 15, § 17, § 32, item 1, § 33, item 2, § 43, § 83 – 91, § 95 and § 103 shall enter into force on 1 October 2020.

(2) Paragraph 32, item 2 as regards the words “Art. 185(1)”, § 49, 50 and § 94 shall enter into force on 1 August 2020.

(3) Paragraph 96, item 10, § 101 and 102 shall enter into force on 1 February 2020.

(4) Paragraph 96, items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13 shall enter into force on 2 August 2021.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 21/2021)

§ 31. (Effective 01.06.2021) Proceedings for the granting of decisions and the issuance of permits for residence and work to third-country nationals under the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and under the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act that were initiated but not completed by 31 May 2021 shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

§ 32. For the period from 13 March 2020 to 31 December 2021, the absence from the territory of the Member States of the European Union of a foreign national who has been granted a long-term or permanent residence permit shall not constitute grounds for imposing a coercive administrative measure under Art. 40(1), item 6.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

§ 38. (1) Paragraph 1 shall apply after the entry into force of a Council decision on the putting into effect of the remaining provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and in Romania.

(2) Paragraphs 8 – 12, 15 – 22, 28, 31, § 34, item 1, letters (a) and (b), § 35 and 36 shall enter into force on 1 June 2021.

(3) Paragraph 33, item 7 shall enter into force on 1 February 2020.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 21/2021)

§ 13. Applications submitted before the entry into force of this Act shall be examined and decided under the existing terms and procedure, with the exception of the requirements of Art. 22, Art. 32a and Art. 35(4), which shall also apply to pending proceedings relating to Bulgarian citizenship.

§ 14. (1) A person who, before the entry into force of this Act, has obtained a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria on the grounds of Art. 25(1), items 6 and 7 of the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act in accordance with the provisions of the Act in force at the time of the investment shall have the right to submit an application for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship if he or she meets the conditions under Art. 12(1), items 1, 2, 3 and 4, and provided that the investment made by him or her has been maintained for a period of not less than 5 years.

(2) The family members of a person referred to in para. 1 shall have the right to submit applications for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship if they meet the conditions under Art. 12(1), items 2, 3 and 4 and the person referred to in para. 1 has acquired Bulgarian citizenship.

Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 22/2022, EFFECTIVE 18.03.2022)

§ 7. In the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005, Nos. 30 and 82/2006, Nos. 11, 29, 52, 63 and 109/2007, Nos. 13, 26, 28 and 69/2008, Nos. 12, 32, 36, 74, 82, 93 and 103/2009, No. 73/2010, Nos. 9 and 43/2011, Nos. 21 and 44/2012, Nos. 16, 23, 52, 68, 70 and 108/2013, No. 53/2014, Nos. 14, 79 and 80/2015, Nos. 15, 33, 97, 101 and 103/2016, No. 97/2017, Nos. 14, 24, 56 and 77/2018, Nos. 1, 24, 34, 58 and 101/2019, Nos. 17, 28, 44, 60, 89 and 98/2020 and No. 21/2021), the words “the Ministry of Economy” shall be replaced throughout by “the Ministry of Innovation and Growth”.

§ 8. The Act shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.

Supplementary Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 67/2023)

§ 14. This Act provides for measures for the implementation of:

1. Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU) 2017/2226;

2. Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement;

3. Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011;

4. Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code);

5. Regulation (EU) 2018/1860 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the use of the Schengen Information System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals;

6. Regulation (EU) 2018/1861 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of border checks, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, and amending and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006;

7. Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, amending and repealing Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Decision 2010/261/EU (OJ L 312/56 of 7 December 2018);

8. Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals (OJ L 157/1 of 15 June 2002);

9. Regulation (EU) 2021/1152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2226, (EU) 2018/1240, (EU) 2018/1860, (EU) 2018/1861 and (EU) 2019/817 as regards the establishment of the conditions for accessing other EU information systems for the purposes of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (OJ L 249/15 of 14 July 2021).

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 67/2023)

§ 15. The check for a valid travel authorisation under Art. 20(1), item 3 shall not apply, for the first three years after the ETIAS information system starts operations, to bus carriers transporting groups of people by land.

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§ 21. (1) Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, § 4 as regards Art. 9i – 9k, § 8, § 9 as regards Art. 20(1), item 3 and § 17, item 1 and item 2 as regards Art. 4a and 4b shall apply from the date determined by the European Commission in accordance with Art. 88(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

(2) Paragraph 4 as regards Art. 9l and 9m, § 5, item 1 and item 5 as regards item 28, § 7, § 9 as regards Art. 20(1), item 4 and § 17, item 2 as regards Art. 4c shall apply from the date determined by the European Commission in accordance with Art. 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

Transitional and Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 52/2025)

§ 41. Administrative proceedings for the granting of a right of extended residence on the grounds of Art. 24(1), item 16 that were initiated but not completed by the entry into force of this Act shall be completed under the procedure in force until now.

§ 42. Administrative proceedings for the granting of a right of permanent residence on the grounds of Art. 25(1), items 9 and 11 that were initiated but not completed by the entry into force of this Act shall be completed under the new procedure.

§ 43. Within two years of the entry into force of this Act, registered trade representative offices of foreign persons shall bring the circumstances of their registration into conformity with it.

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Final Provisions

TO THE ACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT

(PROMULGATED, SG No. 55/2026)

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§ 8. In the Foreign Nationals in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (promulgated, SG No. 153/1998; amended, SG No. 70/1999, Nos. 42 and 112/2001, Nos. 45 and 54/2002, Nos. 37 and 103/2003, Nos. 37 and 70/2004, Nos. 11, 63 and 88/2005, Nos. 30 and 82/2006, Nos. 11, 29, 52, 63 and 109/2007, Nos. 13, 26, 28 and 69/2008, Nos. 12, 32, 36, 74, 82, 93 and 103/2009, No. 73/2010, Nos. 9 and 43/2011, Nos. 21 and 44/2012, Nos. 16, 23, 52, 68, 70 and 108/2013, No. 53/2014, Nos. 14, 79 and 80/2015, Nos. 15, 33, 97, 101 and 103/2016, No. 97/2017, Nos. 14, 24, 56 and 77/2018, Nos. 1, 24, 34, 58 and 101/2019, Nos. 17, 28, 44, 60, 89 and 98/2020, No. 21/2021, No. 22/2022, Nos. 8 and 67/2023, Nos. 39 and 79/2024 and No. 52/2025), the words “the Ministry of Innovation and Growth” shall be replaced throughout by “the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry”.

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Relevant acts of European legislation

Directives:

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2024/1233 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 April 2024 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2021/1883 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2016/801 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing

DIRECTIVE 2014/66/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 May 2014 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer

DIRECTIVE 2014/36/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 February 2014 on the conditions of entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers

DIRECTIVE 2011/98/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 December 2011 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State

DIRECTIVE 2011/51/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 May 2011 amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC to extend its scope to beneficiaries of international protection

DIRECTIVE 2011/36/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA

DIRECTIVE 2008/115/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2004/82/EC of 29 April 2004 on the obligation of carriers to communicate passenger data

DIRECTIVE 2004/38/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/110/EC of 25 November 2003 on assistance in cases of transit for the purposes of removal by air

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2001/51/EC of 28 June 2001 supplementing the provisions of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2001/40/EC of 28 May 2001 on the mutual recognition of decisions on the expulsion of third-country nationals

Regulations:

REGULATION (EU) 2021/1152 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 July 2021 amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2226, (EU) 2018/1240, (EU) 2018/1860, (EU) 2018/1861 and (EU) 2019/817 as regards the establishment of the conditions for accessing other EU information systems for the purposes of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System

REGULATION (EU) 2021/1060 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy

REGULATION (EU) 2019/1157 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 June 2019 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement

REGULATION (EU) 2019/1155 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 June 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)

REGULATION (EU) 2018/1862 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, amending and repealing Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Decision 2010/261/EU

REGULATION (EU) 2018/1861 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of border checks, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, and amending and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006

REGULATION (EU) 2018/1860 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 28 November 2018 on the use of the Schengen Information System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals

REGULATION (EU) 2018/1240 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 September 2018 establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU) 2017/2226

REGULATION (EU) 2018/1806 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement

REGULATION (EU) 2017/2226 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011

REGULATION (EU) 2017/1954 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2017 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals

REGULATION (EU) 2016/1953 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 October 2016 on the establishment of a European travel document for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals, and repealing the Council Recommendation of 30 November 1994

REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)

REGULATION (EU) 2016/399 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)

REGULATION (EU) No 492/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 April 2011 on freedom of movement for workers within the Union

REGULATION (EC) No 810/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 334/2002 of 18 February 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 333/2002 of 18 February 2002 on a uniform format for forms for affixing the visa issued by Member States to persons holding travel documents not recognised by the Member State drawing up the form

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1683/95 of 29 May 1995 laying down a uniform format for visas

Decisions:

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2018/934 of 25 June 2018 on the putting into effect of the remaining provisions of the Schengen acquis related to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania

COUNCIL DECISION of 27 May 1999 on improving the exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents

COUNCIL DECISION 98/701/JHA of 3 December 1998 on common standards relating to filling in the uniform format for residence permits

COUNCIL DECISION 96/749/JHA of 16 December 1996 on monitoring the implementation of instruments adopted by the Council concerning illegal immigration, readmission, the unlawful employment of third-country nationals and cooperation in the implementation of expulsion orders

DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of 27 June 1996 on the principles for issuing Schengen visas in accordance with Article 30(1)(a) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement (SCH/Com-ex (96)13 rev. 1)

DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of 21 November 1994 on the introduction of uniform entry and exit border stamps (SCH/Com-ex (94)16 rev.)

COMMISSION DECISION of 8 June 1988 setting up a prior communication and consultation procedure on migration policies in relation to non-member countries (88/384/EEC)

Others:

JOINT ACTION 98/700/JHA of 3 December 1998 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union concerning the setting up of a European Image Archiving System (FADO)