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🇧🇬

Bulgaria

Capital: Sofia

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Address Registration (Адресна регистрация)

Local Municipality (Община)

Deadline: Register within 5 days of arrival
Processing Time: Same day. Registration certificate issued immediately.
💰Fees: Free to ~5 BGN depending on municipality
📅Appointment: No appointment needed. Walk-in at the municipality.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Completed address registration form (available at the municipality)
  • Property deed or rental contract (with notarized landlord consent)
  • Declaration from the property owner allowing you to register at their address
Where to Do It:

Your local municipality (Община/Obshtina) office, GRAO department. In Sofia: district administration offices (Rayon).

If You Don't Do It:

Fines of approximately 50–300 BGN for missing the deadline. Required for virtually all subsequent administrative procedures.

Regional Variations: Required in all municipalities. Sofia has separate district (Rayon) administrations.
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Long-term Residence Certificate (EU citizens)

Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior

Deadline: Within 3 months if staying over 90 days
Processing Time: 14–30 days processing
💰Fees: 7 BGN for the application; 18 BGN for the card
📅Appointment: No formal appointment. Queue-based system at Migration Directorate offices.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Address registration certificate
  • Proof of employment (labor contract registered with NRA) OR proof of self-employment OR proof of sufficient funds (~600 BGN/month) and health insurance
  • Bulgarian health insurance registration or European Health Insurance Card
  • Passport-sized photo
Where to Do It:

Migration Directorate (Дирекция "Миграция") — main office in Sofia at 48 Maria Louisa Blvd. Regional offices in Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and other major cities.

If You Don't Do It:

Fines of approximately 200–500 BGN. May face deportation proceedings in extreme cases. May not be able to access Bulgarian social services without it.

Regional Variations: Sofia has the main office; regional offices handle applications for their areas.
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Personal Number for Foreigners (ЛНЧ / LNCh)

Civil Registration Office (GRAO)

Deadline: Applied for alongside or after receiving residence certificate
Processing Time: 1–3 weeks
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: No appointment needed.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or ID card
  • Residence certificate from Migration Directorate
  • Address registration certificate
  • Birth certificate (translated and apostilled if from abroad)
Where to Do It:

GRAO office at your local municipality. In Sofia: central GRAO office or district administration.

If You Don't Do It:

No direct fine, but the LNCh is your personal identifier in Bulgaria — without it you may not be able to register for healthcare (NHIF), pay taxes, open a bank account, or sign a work contract.

Regional Variations: Issued by GRAO offices nationwide. Same process everywhere.
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