Bulgaria – Temporary Protection Status Extended for Ukrainians

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In line with the European Commission’s decision, Temporary Protection in Bulgaria has been extended until 4 March 2025, so that Ukrainians can continue to benefit from the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

Ukrainian nationals in Bulgaria in possession of “Registration cards as Foreigners under Temporary Protection” (the “Registration card/s”) shall renew them in accordance with the prolonged period of the Temporary Protection.  The re-issuance of the Registration cards has started and is free-of-charge.  The valid Registration card legitimises the status of the foreign national under Temporary Protection in Bulgaria and allows him/her to exercise a wide range of rights, such as: residence on the territory of Bulgaria, access to the Bulgarian labour market (without a work permit), accommodation, access to kindergartens and school for children, medical care, social welfare assistance, etc. 

The extension should bring some relief to Ukrainians currently in Bulgaria who had been displaced by the war that erupted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  As noted above, the extension of Temporary Protection would preserve current benefits such as free access to the labour market, support regarding accommodation, access to medical care, education, and financial aid. 

The European Union’s Directive 2001/55/EC was activated to enable immediate and temporary refuge in the European Union to those Ukrainian nationals, residing in Ukraine, who were displaced on or after 24 February 2022,¹ as a result of the military invasion by Russian armed forces.  Accordingly, in March 2022, the Bulgarian government enacted Temporary Protection status and subsequently extended it twice until 4 March 2025, to allow the continuous exercise of and access to the granted rights.

Following Decision No. 54 dated 25 January 2024 of the Council of Ministers to extend the period of temporary protection until 4 March 2025, and Decision No. 67 dated 1 February 2024, to approve the template of the registration cards, the re-registration process has officially begun for Ukrainian nationals who wish to extend their temporary protection on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.²

Ukrainian nationals wishing to renew their Registration cards can visit the nearest Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, the Metropolitan Directorate of Internal Affairs (for the city of Sofia) or the registration centres of the State Agency for Refugees.  The re-registration process will continue until 31 March 2024; after that, applications will be accepted only at the registration centres of the State Agency for Refugees.  Upon re-registration, Ukrainian nationals should return their previous Registration card, which will no longer be valid.

In case a Ukrainian national under Temporary Protection in Bulgaria has changed his/her residential address prior to the extension and has not yet registered the new address in his/her Registration Card, an application for registration/cancellation of the residence address of a foreign national under temporary protection should be completed.

KPMG INSIGHTS

Further to the above, the term of the Programme for Humanitarian Assistance to Displaced Persons from Ukraine with Temporary Protection in the Republic of Bulgaria, adopted back in 2022, was also extended until 30 April 2024.³

Ukrainian nationals who have not previously applied for Temporary Protection in Bulgaria can do that at any time provided that they hold valid biometric passports. Ukrainian nationals who do not hold valid passports – or any passport – may enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria as asylum seekers and could benefit as well from Temporary Protection.

If employers, organisations, or individuals have questions regarding Temporary Protection status (who is eligible, what entitlements are available, etc.) and require further advice and assistance, they should consult with their qualified immigration counsel or they can contact a member of the Immigration team with KPMG in Bulgaria (see the Contacts section).

1  For related coverge, see GMS Flash Alert 2023-193, 18 October 2023.

2  See: https://pris.government.bg/document/9787a876b275376a02890df416bd980e (available in Bulgarian).

3  See: https://pris.government.bg/document/415147a884744a3d592a2b1f64732174 (available in Bulgarian).

More information can be found on:

• България с грижа за хората от Украйна | Bulgaria for Ukraine (gov.bg) (available in English, Bulgarian, and Ukrainian).
• Списък.pdf (government.bg) – regarding the list of offices for initial registration of the Ministry of Interior (available in Bulgarian).

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Bulgaria.