BulgariaAsylum / refuge

Asylum and international protection in Bulgaria

Bulgaria grants two main forms of international protection to foreign nationals seeking asylum: refugee status for people who are persecuted, and humanitarian status for those who face a risk of serious harm. Both statuses are granted under the Geneva Convention and European legislation where there are well-founded grounds. Once the status is granted, applicants receive the right to work, social support, housing and the possibility of family reunification. The decision is taken by the chairperson of the State Agency for Refugees under the Bulgarian Council of Ministers.

Visa term

Refugee status is open-ended; humanitarian status is usually 3 years, renewable

Threshold

None; support and accommodation may be provided

Processing time

Several months, in practice up to 6–18 months

Work

After about 3 months for applicants; refugees — as citizens

Source: aref.government.bg — State Agency for Refugees, types of protection

Two routes to protection in Bulgaria

The choice between refugee status and humanitarian status depends on the circumstances of the persecution and the risk

Refugee status (persecution)

Persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality or political opinion
Being unable to obtain protection from your own state
Being outside the country of origin because of a well-founded fear
The status is subject to review every few years

Humanitarian status (serious harm)

A risk of the death penalty or execution on return
A threat of torture or inhuman treatment
Serious danger in armed conflict
Violations of rights that do not meet the refugee criteria

When the programme is not a fit

You are an EU citizen and have the rights of an EU citizen

Use your EU free movement rights

You come from a country on the list of safe countries of origin

Asylum may be refused under the EU list

You have committed crimes against humanity or serious non-political crimes

Protection is not granted; the criminal law in force applies

Documents to gather

Applicants submit documents as far as they are able to; the absence of documents does not prevent the application being examined, provided information about the circumstances is given

An application for protection (which may be made in Bulgarian or with an interpreter)
Identity documents (a passport or national identity card, if available)
Information on marital status and accompanying family members
Documents confirming the circumstances of persecution or serious harm (if available)
Statements from witnesses or organisations (where applicable)

How the process runs

The procedure consists of registration, an interview and a decision; the time limits follow the European regulations

1
Filing the application and registration
on the day of filing
The application is filed with the State Agency for Refugees, at a police station or at one of the reception centres in Sofia, Banya or Harmanli. The applicant is registered as an applicant for protection and is given information about their rights and obligations
2
Assessment of special needs and accommodation
within 30 days
The authorities assess the applicant's special needs (language, disability, trauma), provide an interpreter and accommodation in a reception centre. Attention is paid to keeping the family together and to protecting unaccompanied minors
3
Interview and gathering of information
varies, usually several weeks
The applicant goes through a detailed interview with an officer of the agency and an interpreter in order to gather information about the reasons for the persecution, marital status, countries of origin and the circumstances. Documents and statements provided by the applicant are taken into account
4
Check under the Dublin Regulation
depending on the results
Where necessary, a check is carried out to determine which EU state is responsible for examining the application under the Dublin Regulation. This applies if the applicant first entered another EU state
5
Examination of the application
up to 12 weeks (border procedure) or up to 16 weeks with an extension (standard procedure)
The State Agency examines the application and checks the criteria for refugee status or humanitarian status, taking into account information on the country of origin. A decision may be taken to open additional proceedings if the border procedure was initially required
6
Taking the decision
stated in the written decision
The chairperson of the State Agency takes the decision to grant refugee status or humanitarian status, or to refuse. The decision is issued in writing with reasons. The applicant has the right to appeal to the administrative court
7
Issue of the identity document
up to 30 days as a rule, or up to 10 working days under the accelerated procedure
Once the status is granted, the applicant files documents to obtain a refugee card (Karta na bezhanets) or a card with humanitarian status (Karta na chuzhdenets s humanitaren statut) with the relevant authority. The card is issued within the set time limit

Who you can bring with you

Family members of the applicant may file an application of their own or seek reunification once the status has been established

Spouse (lawful, including under sharia) or de facto partner

May file an application of their own or seek reunification; receives the same status if it is granted

Children under 18 (biological, adopted, stepchildren)

May be included in the parent's application; receive the status together with their guardian; unaccompanied minors receive special protection

Adult children (depending on the circumstances) and other dependants

Considered depending on the relationship and financial dependency; the ties have to be documented

Parents, brothers and sisters of an adult applicant

Have no automatic right to reunification; they may file an application for protection of their own if they meet the criteria

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Reception centres; after the status is granted — free choice

Refugee status is subject to review every 3–5 years depending on changes in the circumstances in the country of origin. Humanitarian status is usually valid for 3 years and may be renewed where the grounds remain. To renew it, an application has to be filed within the set period before the card expires. If the circumstances of persecution or harm no longer exist, the status may be withdrawn.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Asylum and international protection	Trade representative office	Pensioners' residence permit
Visa term	Refugee status is open-ended; humanitarian status is usually 3 years, renewable	Usually 1 year, renewed annually	Usually 1 year, renewed annually
Grounds	Persecution	Representative office of a foreign company	Pensioners with sufficient means
Work	After about 3 months for applicants; refugees — as citizens	No; a representative office does not carry on commercial activity	No; a separate ground is needed in order to work
Residence	Reception centres; after the status is granted — free choice	Actual residence is expected	Actual residence; absences break continuity

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Refugees after about 3 years, humanitarian status after about 5 years

Route to citizenship

After a long period of residence (about 5–10 years), with language

Frequently asked questions about Asylum and international protection

Who can obtain refugee status?

People who are outside their country of origin and have a well-founded fear of persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, and who cannot or will not return to their country because of that fear.

What distinguishes humanitarian status from refugee status?

Humanitarian status is granted to people who do not meet the definition of a refugee but who face a risk of serious harm on return, including the death penalty, torture, inhuman treatment or a serious threat in armed conflict.

Can I work once the status has been granted?

Yes, people with asylum, refugee status or humanitarian status have the right to work in Bulgaria without an additional permit for access to the labour market. They may register as jobseekers with the employment office.

When can I obtain permanent residence?

People with refugee status can usually apply for permanent residence after 3 years of residence in Bulgaria. People with humanitarian status can usually apply after 5 years. Permanent residence gives rights similar to those of EU citizens living in the country.

How can I obtain Bulgarian citizenship?

Refugees may apply for citizenship after 3 years of residence in the country, provided the other conditions are met (a language test, knowledge of the constitution). People with humanitarian status may usually apply after 5 years. Citizenship is not automatic and requires a separate naturalisation procedure.

Will I receive financial support once the status has been established?

People who have been granted asylum, refugee status or humanitarian status are entitled to social assistance in accordance with Bulgarian legislation. They also receive accommodation in reception centres until the status is granted, after which they may look for accommodation of their own. Integration and social adaptation programmes are available.

Other ways to move to Bulgaria

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Bulgaria.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.