Bulgaria: temporary protection for Ukrainians extended until 4 March 2027 — how to re-register your card and changes in housing

Bulgaria has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until 4 March 2027. This extension is based on Decision of the Council of the European Union (EU) 2025/1460 (adopted on 15 July 2025), which extends temporary protection in all EU member states for the period from 5 March 2026 to 4 March 2027. However, to benefit from the extension in Bulgaria, it is not enough simply to wait — you need to re-register your card.

The main thing: re-registering the card

Temporary protection registration cards issued earlier were valid only until 30 April 2026 — this was an interim extension. To obtain a card valid until 4 March 2027, each beneficiary must personally contact the authorities and apply for a new temporary protection card. Those who re-registered by 30 April 2026 have had their status automatically extended until 4 March 2027.

If you for valid reasons did not make it by 30 April, the status does not disappear automatically — according to UNHCR Bulgaria, re-registration can be done even after this date. But only at the centres of the State Agency for Refugees (the option with the Ministry of Interior directorates is unavailable after 30 April). Do not delay: a card renewed on time guarantees continuity of rights — to legal residence, employment without an additional permit, access to medical care, education for children, and social assistance, whereas before the card is renewed there may be a temporary interruption in access to certain rights.

Where and how to re-register

Until 30 April 2026 re-registration could be done in two ways:

• at the territorial centres of the State Agency for Refugees (State Agency for Refugees, SAR) — in particular in Sofia (Ovcha Kupel), Harmanli, Banya, and Pastrogor;
• at the nearest regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) — across the country.

After 30 April 2026 re-registration is carried out only at the territorial centres of the State Agency for Refugees — the option with the regional Ministry of Interior directorates is unavailable after this date. So if you have not yet renewed your card, contact a SAR centre (Sofia/Ovcha Kupel, Harmanli, Banya, Pastrogor). Re-registration does not happen automatically — you initiate it yourself.

Changes in the housing programme

Separately from the extension of protection, an updated Programme for Humanitarian Support and Integration of Displaced Persons from Ukraine applies in Bulgaria (in force since 1 May 2025). It changed the rules for free accommodation.

The programme divides beneficiaries into two categories:

• Ordinary beneficiaries — free accommodation for up to 60 calendar days one time (without renewal).
• Persons from risk groups — free accommodation for the entire period of temporary protection.

The risk groups include, in particular:

• children aged 0–12 together with the person caring for them;
• children aged 12–16 with a carer, if they do not attend school for reasons beyond their parents' control;
• pregnant women after the third month of pregnancy (subject to medical confirmation);
• persons with a permanent disability (50% or more, established by Bulgarian authorities);
• persons with a diagnosed mental illness;
• persons caring for seriously ill dependent family members;
• persons aged 65+ and their spouses aged 60 or older.

Accommodation covers only housing and a minimum set of hygiene items — meals are not included in the programme. To obtain the status of a person from a risk group, you need to submit an assessment application (risk assessment form) to the social support authority.

Financial assistance

Persons with temporary protection are entitled to a one-time social benefit of up to 375 leva (BGN) per family (regardless of the number of members), once a year, provided the registration card is valid. The application is submitted to the Social Support Directorate at the place of residence; the decision is communicated within a few weeks. The exact conditions should be checked on the official portal for Ukrainians (ukraine.gov.bg) and with the social support authorities.

What to do now

1. Check your card: if it is valid until 4 March 2027, you are already re-registered; if only until 30 April 2026 — it needs to be renewed.
2. If you have not yet re-registered, contact a territorial centre of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) to obtain a new card valid until 4 March 2027 (the Ministry of Interior directorates are unavailable after 30 April).
3. If you belong to a risk group and use free housing, submit an assessment application to retain the right to accommodation for the entire protection period.
4. Check official sources (the State Agency for Refugees, UNHCR Bulgaria) for the up-to-date list of locations and requirements.

A document photo for the new temporary protection card must meet the standard requirements for biometric photographs (35×45 mm). On Anfas.Pro you can quickly prepare a correct photo for Bulgarian documents for €4.99.