Applying for asylum in Bulgaria

Even after you apply in Bulgaria, another country may be responsible for examining your claim under the EU rules applied in the 31 Dublin countries. This can happen if a family member has protection or a pending claim in another Dublin country, if another Dublin country issued you a visa or residence permit, if your fingerprints were taken in another Dublin country, or if you travelled through one.

The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum entered into application in June 2026. According to the European Commission, applicants must apply in the EU country of first entry and remain there until the responsible country is determined, and a mandatory border procedure applies to applicants who are unlikely to need protection, mislead the authorities or pose a security risk.

Under the Law on Asylum and Refugees, a foreigner can express the wish for international protection in person to an official of the State Agency for Refugees. If the request is made to another state body, such as the Border Police or the Ministry of Interior, that body must forward it immediately, and SAR registers the applicant no later than six working days after the first request. SAR runs registration and reception centres in Sofia, Banya and Harmanli and a transit centre in Pastrogor.

SAR stresses that the procedure is free: do not pay anyone for your asylum application. Its information leaflets on the procedure, international protection and house rules are published in several languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Kurmanji, Pashto and Urdu.

At registration your fingerprints and photograph are taken, you hand over identity documents and you are asked about your name, country and date of birth; if you have no documents you make a declaration, for which you bear criminal liability. An interpreter is provided. After registration your details cannot be changed without official documents, and all information is treated as confidential and not shared with your country’s authorities.

In the personal interview you explain in detail why you seek protection and hand over any evidence. You may ask for an interviewer of a particular sex and may be assisted by a lawyer or legal representative at any stage. If you miss the interview without objective reasons for 30 days, SAR terminates the case, which can in certain circumstances be reopened within 9 months. The law sets a six-month time limit for the decision, and manifestly unfounded claims can be rejected in an accelerated procedure within 14 working days of registration. The decision is delivered in writing to you, with its content read in a language you understand, or to your lawyer.

During the procedure you have the right to remain in Bulgaria and move within the designated zone, to shelter and food, to social assistance on the terms applying to Bulgarian citizens, to health insurance and accessible medical care, to psychological help, to a registration card and to an interpreter. You gain access to the labour market if the procedure has not ended within three months of the claim for reasons beyond your control.

In reception centres you must follow the house rules, including returning by 7:00 PM, and may not leave the designated area. If SAR’s registered letter is not collected within 7 days, the decision is treated as delivered, so keep your address up to date.

A positive decision grants refugee status, for persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, or humanitarian status, for a real risk of serious harm such as the death penalty, torture or indiscriminate violence in armed conflict. Refugees can obtain a residence permit and travel documents; humanitarian status holders can obtain a residence permit.

If you disagree with the decision you can appeal to the court within 7 or 14 days depending on the procedure: 7 days for decisions in the accelerated procedure and certain other procedural decisions, and 14 days for refusals of refugee and humanitarian status in the general procedure, in each case to the administrative court of the address on your registration card; Dublin transfer decisions are appealed within 7 days to the Administrative Court of Sofia City. The court decides within one month. You can withdraw your claim at any time and may receive help with voluntary return.