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Moving to Bulgaria as an EU or EEA citizen requires completing address registration, obtaining a long-term residence certificate, and registering for a Personal Number for Foreigners (LNCh). This guide covers all three procedures with required documents, deadlines, fees, and the offices responsible for each step. Bulgaria requires EU citizens staying longer than three months to register with the Migration Directorate and local municipality.

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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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