When planning a move to Bulgaria, it is important to study all the details and nuances of living in the country in advance. Find out more about immigration conditions, border crossing, convenient routes and key points that will be useful for Ukrainians when moving to Bulgaria

Health insurance is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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In 2024, more and more Ukrainians are considering Bulgaria as a promising country for relocation. Its favourable geographical location, moderate property prices, and mild climate make this Balkan country attractive to migrants. Bulgaria offers a number of benefits for Ukrainians seeking temporary or permanent refuge from military action, including various employment opportunities and a temporary protection programme.

What documents are required to enter Bulgaria, convenient routes and what to expect for displaced persons are described in the article below.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to Bulgaria can be found here:

- Travelling to Bulgaria for tourism purposes;

- Work in Bulgaria;

- Immigration to Bulgaria;

- Study in Bulgaria;

- Temporary protection in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: entry rules for Ukrainians 2024

Main documents:

- biometric passport (valid for at least 6 months after leaving Bulgaria)

- health insurance with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 and valid for the entire period of your stay in the Schengen area.

Important! Men between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to have a valid military ID with a stamp of deferment when crossing the state border. Obtain a permit to cross the border if there are valid legal grounds. Such circumstances include:

- accompanying people with disabilities;

- temporary business trip under the ‘Shlyakh’ programme;

- medical reasons;

- other legally defined reasons.

Find out which men have the right to travel abroad in 2024 here.

Documents for travelling with children:

- child's birth certificate;

- child's international passport (required for persons aged 12 and older).

How to get to Bulgaria from Ukraine: convenient routes

In 2024, there are several ways to get to Bulgaria, despite the difficult transport situation.

Find out how to get to Ukraine from Bulgaria in 2024 here.

Bus services

Main directions:

- Kyiv - Sofia: a classic route lasting 24-26 hours. Buses depart from the central bus station in the capital.

- Lviv - Varna: a popular western destination with a journey time of about 20 hours.

- Odesa - Varna: the shortest route, which takes 12-14 hours.

Fares range from 1,800-2,500 hryvnias depending on the carrier.

Useful tip! To purchase tickets, it is recommended to use trusted online services, such as the Visit Ukraine portal, which offers a bonus system.

Train routes

Travelling options:

- Kyiv - Warsaw - Sofia: involves a change of train, total journey time is about 40-42 hours.

- Kyiv - Chop - Budapest - Sofia: a route across the border with Hungary with transfers.

To Bulgaria by your own car

The most convenient route: Kyiv - Chernivtsi - Bucharest - Sofia, about 1,300 km long.

Documents for crossing the border in your own car:

- international passport;

- national driver's licence containing the expiry date;

- vehicle registration certificate;

- identification mark of Ukraine on the vehicle;

- nationally recognised number plate;

- compulsory insurance contract Green Card.

Important! Before travelling abroad by car, you must carefully plan your route, check the current border crossing rules and have all the necessary documents. Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal entry and further movement in Bulgaria by car.

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Technical inspection in Bulgaria for foreign cars

Technical inspection of vehicles in Bulgaria is mandatory and applies to all cars travelling on the country's roads. It is important to note that this rule applies not only to Bulgarian cars, but also to vehicles with foreign registration, including Ukrainian cars temporarily staying in the country.

The current legislation establishes clear rules for vehicles involved in road traffic. In particular, it is stipulated that vehicles must have an up-to-date technical inspection carried out in the country of initial registration. For Ukrainian cars, this means that they must have a valid technical inspection certificate issued in Ukraine.

However, in practice, certain complications arise. Bulgarian technical inspection stations have restrictions and can only inspect vehicles registered directly in Bulgaria. As a result, the owners of Ukrainian cars find themselves in a difficult situation, as it is virtually impossible for them to pass a technical inspection in Bulgaria. This creates additional obstacles for people who, for various reasons, are unable to return to Ukraine to undergo the necessary procedure.

Read more about the problems with passing the technical inspection in Bulgaria and the possible consequences of the absence of the MOT here.

Do I need a visa to Bulgaria?

The entry rules for Ukrainians to Bulgaria have changed since 31 March 2024. Previously, Ukrainians could stay in the country for 90 days without a visa under separate rules, but now the general Schengen rules ‘90/180’ apply.

Citizens of Ukraine can enter Bulgaria without a visa. However, they should be careful about the length of their stay. The new procedure stipulates that 90 days are calculated in total for the entire Schengen area within a 180-day period.

It is important to know that the restrictions apply regardless of the method of entry - by air, sea or road. Each day of your stay in Bulgaria will count towards the total Schengen limit.

For an accurate calculation of the permitted period of stay, it is recommended to use the official online Schengen calculator. This will help to avoid possible problems at the border and penalties for exceeding the permitted period of stay.

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Customs control: what can be imported to Bulgaria and in what quantity?

Prohibited goods for import:

- narcotic and psychotropic substances;

- firearms and ammunition without a special permit;

- explosives and flammable substances;

- edged weapons without appropriate permits.

It is also worth knowing that meat and dairy products are not allowed to be imported into Bulgaria.

Money transportation rules:

Bulgarian legislation allows you to freely move money in the amount of up to EUR 10,000 across the border without declaring it. However, when importing more than EUR 10,000, a written declaration must be submitted, indicating the purpose and source of the funds, the vehicle number and the route of travel.

Duty-free import rates for alcohol:

- beer: 16 litres;

- wine: 4 litres;

- sparkling and strong wine: 2 litres;

- spirits (over 22%): 1 litre.

Duty-free import rates for tobacco products:

- tobacco: 250 г;

- cigarettes: 200 pcs;

- cigars: 50 pcs;

- cigarillos (up to 3 g): 100 pieces.

It is worth noting that imports of goods worth between EUR 100 and EUR 1,500 are subject to a 5% duty and VAT. The cost of goods cannot be divided between family members.

Read more about moving to Bulgaria for permanent residence, pros and cons of immigration and real estate prices here.

Temporary protection in Bulgaria for Ukrainians 2024

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers has decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2025. This decision provides Ukrainians with a wide range of rights and social guarantees in Bulgaria.

Temporary protection includes legal residence in the country, official employment, access to education for minors and vocational training opportunities. Ukrainians are entitled to support in finding housing and receiving social assistance.

Medical care is particularly important. The state guarantees emergency medical care and full medical care for children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Women aged 18-63 and men under 65 are covered by medical insurance for 90 days.

To obtain the status, one must apply in person to the regional offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or to the registration and reception centres in Sofia, the village of Banya and the town of Harmanli. During the registration process, you need to provide personal data, take a photo and receive a registration card.

An important advantage is the possibility of family reunification and the right to move to other EU countries. The registration card confirms all the rights and social guarantees granted, so it must be carried with you at all times.

Ukrainians are advised to carefully read the terms of temporary protection and update their documents in time to preserve all the benefits and opportunities provided.

For a successful move and to avoid any troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. The lawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

Bulgaria for Ukrainians in 2024: immigration opportunities

Residence permit in Bulgaria is issued by the Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior and gives foreign citizens the right to legally stay in the country for more than three months. There are three main types of permits: extended, long-term and permanent.

Extended residence permit

It is granted for a period of up to one year and can be renewed annually. It is intended for various categories of foreigners: labour migrants, students, investors, family members, volunteers, pensioners, and others.

To obtain a permit, you must submit a set of documents, including a passport, proof of financial solvency, health insurance and proof of residence. An important condition is the availability of a long-term D visa.

Long-term residencepermit

It is granted to EU citizens and their family members for a period of up to five years. The grounds for obtaining it can be employment, study, self-sufficiency or family relations.

Permanent residence permit

Issued after five years of legal residence in the country. It gives almost all the rights of Bulgarian citizens, except for political rights. Holders of this permit have the right to work, study, receive medical services and apply for citizenship in the future.

The procedure involves submitting documents to the migration service no later than two months before the expiry of the previous permit. The processing time usually takes one day.

The benefits of permanent residence include the ability to travel freely within the EU, work without additional permits and enjoy social guarantees on an equal footing with local residents.

Useful information for your stay in Bulgaria

Where to look for a job in Bulgaria?

In 2024, job search in Bulgaria can be carried out through online platforms, the most effective of which are Jobs.bg and Rabota.bg. Other important resources are LinkedIn, Indeed , and specialised European job sites.

The public employment services in Bulgaria provide official employment support, in particular through the Employment Agency and the Labour Office. Additionally, recruitment agencies and trade unions can be helpful.

Candidates who speak Bulgarian, have a European-standard CV and are ready to adapt to the local labour market have an advantage. The most promising industries are tourism, information technology, agriculture and manufacturing.

Read more about jobs for foreigners in Bulgaria in 2024, the labour market, visa and benefits of moving here.

Where to look for accommodation in Bulgaria?

The most popular websites for finding accommodation are Imoti.net, Olx.bg and Airbnb, where you can find apartments, houses and rooms for long-term rent.

Social media, such as Facebook groups for real estate in specific cities (Sofia, Varna, Burgas), are also a useful tool. Local real estate agencies offer a wide range of options and help with the legalities of renting.

Tourist areas of Bulgaria, such as the Black Sea coast and mountain resorts, have many offers with different pricing policies. The average rental price depends on the city and type of property.

For foreigners, it is recommended to personally inspect the property and conclude contracts with official registration.

How much does housing in Bulgaria cost?

In 2024, housing prices in Bulgaria vary considerably depending on the region. In the capital Sofia, renting a 1-room apartment costs 400-700 euros per month. The resort towns of Varna and Burgas offer slightly lower prices: 300-500 euros per month.

Mountainous regions have more affordable prices with rents of 250-450 euros per month, and the most economical are rural areas, where you can rent housing from 150 euros per month.

Take care of your health when travelling to Europe with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

How to enrol children in school and kindergarten in Bulgaria?

To enrol a child in a kindergarten, parents need to contact the local municipal educational administration and submit a package of documents, including the child's birth certificate, medical certificate and registration documents.

School education in Bulgaria is compulsory for children from 7 to 16 years old. To enrol in school, you need to submit an application to the chosen educational institution, provide documents on previous education and pass an entrance test, especially for children with foreign citizenship.

It is important to take into account the language barrier: education is conducted in Bulgarian, so foreign children may need additional language training. Some schools offer preparatory courses to facilitate adaptation.

Remember. Ukrainians planning a trip to Bulgaria by car should carefully read the insurance rules. Read herewhat insurance is required when entering Bulgaria.

Photo: Freepik