Since joining the EU new rules have come into force for EU citizens, for all other nationals the restrictions remain unchanged. Refer to earlier issues or better still check with the Bulgarian Embassy in your home country.

The new regulation replaces the identity cards (lichni karti) with new residence permit cards, or certificates as they are officially called. These new cards do not have a photo, nor do they give the national identification number (EGN in Bulgarian). We suggest you hang on to your lichna karta (if you have one) for as long as possible. The other major change applies to family members who are not citizens of the EU. They can be issued with a residence card “for long or permanent stay“ in Bulgaria depending on the period of long stay of the EU citizen.

Several other minor changes in the law in terms of long and permanent residence have been noted. According to the new law, “long stay” is up to five years (while the old regulation provided only one year). There are three conditions that an EU citizen must meet in order to apply for long stay in Bulgaria.

They must either be working in Bulgaria, enrolled in school or university; have a health insurance number and sufficient funds to support himself and his family. For permanent residence, an EU citizen must also have lived in the country for the past five years and have legal work status.

The passport office is at 48 Maria Luisa Blvd.