Pre Brexit Residency Card Renewal

Oh, goodness! I hope the rest of the process is more straightforward!

Visiting immigration is definitely my least favourite thing about living in Bulgaria! I find it incredibly frustrating that each office or even person you see has their own interpretation of the rules and what needs to be notarized etc.

When I renewed my pre Brexit card they were happy with a print out from the NRA site showing I paid and was up to date with contributions, I checked the site and that service is gone, you need an electronic signature to access it now which I'll need to get at some point.

I didn't need to notarize proof of funds/business either, only rental agreement and landlord's declaration, everywhere is different it seems.

@cyberescue1

OK, it's bureaucracy, but nothing out of the ordinary. And it sounds like everybody was rather helpful, and you have a clear path to your PR. 10-15 minutes waiting is excellent from a bureaucracy perspective, I've sat in some immigration lines that were several hours long (Latin America especially).

Proof of funds, proof of health insurance and proof of address are the standard requirements for EU residence permits. And also for Article 50 (Brexit) residence permits for Brits who arrived in time. You didn't mention address, so maybe you got lucky, but I suspect your address is part of the funds declaration, and immigration will ask for your notary act.

Proof of funds is very easy if they're happy to accept a mere declaration, rather than any proof. :-) The form does not need to be translated. But it's a legal requirement for notaries that foreigners who are not fluent in Bulgarian have a registered translator present. This is for your protection, and applies to all documents that need to be witnessed and stamped by the notary.

Proof of health insurance is also very easy here as they will accept an EHIC (including a UK one, which you can still get for free) or an S1 or confirmation from NHIF (if you're already paying in). Yes, the EHIC application here is a separate process handled by a bank. And they issue it for only 1 year, not the 5 years we're used to in the UK. But this was an optional extra if you had your confirmation letter.

@PlovdivEd

Not my experience at all! The rules are pretty clear, and the immigration office appears to follow them. However, sometimes it's us, the applicants, who are a bit confused about exactly what is needed. :-) And, in general, immigration folks have been very helpful to me here, I've had FAR worse experiences elsewhere. I've had to do this process in lots of countries, and I can assure that Bulgaria is one of the easiest/quickest/cheapest!

I think all declarations (as they are sworn statements) need to be notarized. Swearing that you have money and won't ask Bulgaria for any is a declaration, and thus needs to notarized. Providing a bank statement from your bank showing you have lots of money is a proof, and doesn't need to be notarized. (But they might insist on a branch-stamped statement, rather than one printed from the internet.)

Yes, my proof of health insurance was my NHIF. I didn't go ask for a letter, I printed the standard status report that every doctor/hospital/EHIC-issuing bank checks. This shows the date, and that you are covered. This option (report 576) is still available on their website, without any login requirement, just using your 10-digit LNC and date of birth. (Same for making contributions.) However, the website address changed a few months ago.

https://portal.nra.bg/free-access-services

I just did it, and it showed the following message (which one can print):

Health insurance status as of 09.01.2025

Personal Identification Number/Personal Identification Number/Statistical Number: 100******

Date and time of printing: 09.01.2025 09:40:16

THE PERSON HAS UNINTERRUPTED HEALTH INSURANCE RIGHTS

Proof of address is either by rental agreement, or notary act. Your notary act has already been notarized, so they accept that. Rental agreements, as standard, have to be accompanied by a landlord's declaration. The rule is that one OR the other MUST be notarized, but it's NOT necessary to have both notarized. In other words, it's the landlord who must go to notary and confirm that you really do have a place to live. :-)

Thanks Gwyn, couldn't for the life of me find the NHIF portal after it moved, safely bookmarked!

The translator and I are meeting tomorrow at 10am, at the Notary Office again, after which, I shall have a chat with her about something else (wills).

- @cyberescue1

You don't need a notary or a translator to make a Bulgarian will - a holographic one, in English or any other language you might prefer, is perfectly acceptable.  It must be entirely handwritten, by the testator, and signed and dated; no witness is needed.

@janemulberry

Thank you Jane!

.

@PlovdivEd

Went to the Notary today, with my translator. She is closely connected to a solicitor and knows all the rules, which is a bonus.  She told me they no longer accept banks statements as proof of income, as the EU's GDPR regulations do not allow them to see transactions in the statements.  Hence, the legal declaration, is now the way to do it.   Interestingly, I'd already filled the form yesterday, but they wanted a fresh one done as t the Notary, as they have to witness you getting it translated.  Thankfully, the Notary we were at, had the form to print out, so no need to return to the immigration office.

After the Notary, went for a coffee with my translator and discussed wills.  Another story!

@gwynj

Went to the Notary today, with my translator. She is closely connected to a solicitor and knows all the rules, which is a bonus.  She told me they no longer accept banks statements as proof of income, as the EU's GDPR regulations do not allow them to see transactions in the statements.  Hence, the legal declaration, is now the way to do it.   Interestingly, I'd already filled the form yesterday, but they wanted a fresh one done as t the Notary, as they have to witness you getting it translated.  Thankfully, the Notary we were at, had the form to print out, so no need to return to the immigration office.

After the Notary, went for a coffee with my translator and discussed wills.  Another story!

That's new, about the bank statement. I do my residence stuff at the main MVR office in Maria Luisa; the last renewal was at the back end of last year. I printed out a statement via internet banking, showing just my name, address and the account balance: as before, it was accepted without demur.

This being Bulgaria, I'd be a bit wary of using familiar UK terms like "solicitor" and "estate agent", which can give rise to a false sense of confidence in the seemingly-familiar. It's rare to find a lawyer here with the professionalism and attention to detail one would normally expect from a UK solicitor, and the various Bar Associations in BG are pretty hopeless when it comes to regulatory issues. Lawyers, and judges, who break the law act with impunity.

As for "estate agents", they simply don't exist here and there are no standards or regulations to control property brokers; calling it the Lawless Wild West is a simple statement of fact!  😁

@cyberescue1

UPDATE...

Went to the Immigration Office today with the form completed and the following documents...

1. Your existing id card.

2. Passport

3. Marriage certificate

4. Public Health document, stating I'm paying into the system.

5. Declaration, stamped by Notary stating I can finance myself and won't try to scrounge off the state.

6. Copy of deeds to my property, to prove I live here and I own a property.

There was a book shop that did photocopying 100 metres from the Immigration Office, so went there to get copies, returned and then they said they also wanted a copy of my passport, so back we went to get another photocopy. Handed it all in.  Got to go back on the 21st, presumably, to do things like finger print and photo. 

Should also add, the 9 page form we filled in, was specifically for citizens of the "United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland". clearly printed on the front page.

Another update after 21st January.

After the immigration office, we went for lunch in the Golden Sheep pub.  No sooner had we sat down, four ladies came in and sat at the table next to us.  They were the women from the Immigration Office, one of which served us.  Should have offered to pay their meals, might have guaranteed my card and getting it quicker lol.

The sad thing is that you have to do it all again in October. 🙄

@cyberescue1

Latest update...

Went to the Immigration Office last Friday. Application for new temporary card accepted. Got put in the pvc booth for photo and fingerprints...   Had a job getting the fingerprints... Either the glass plate that you put your fingers on was so sweaty and greasy it couldn't see my prints, or it was my poor fingers, that are suffering from contact dermatitis.  "Pish hard" she said in a stern voice. After four attempts, it finally gave a "Computer says yes" green light.   Took the three day service for 60 Leva.

Returned lunchtime today. (Thursday) to collect the card.  Queued for 15 mins  Presented ticket, old card and passport. Given form to sign in two places, handed new card and passport.

To my surprise, the card is not valid until October, like we thought was going to happen.  Instead, they've given me another 5 years, until January 2030.   That said, I shall still apply in October, for a ten year card, which they told me I can do.  But at least it takes the heat off having to apply exactly in October.  Well chuffed.  The card is a new type, Article 50, EU, with bigger photo than the previous card and less pink, more blue, with BGR in the top left corner and more security features.

Phew! So glad you got it done, and without the silly requirement to do it again in October!!

@cyberescue1

Is your British passport expiring soon? If not, the immigration would normally give you a 10 year card (permanent) after a 5 year card (Pre-Brexit). Before my renewal, I purposely renewed my British passport to have a fresh new 10 years validity before I went to the Bulgarian immigration for the new card. I think you are entitled to exchange a 10 year card if you want to Personally, it is worth to do it because the right of a permanent card is evergreen as long as you are not out of Bulgaria/EU for 6 consecutive years.

I missed the original post in early January. I also went on January 8th for my first time residency application. I provided a redacted copy of my bank statement, showing only beginning and starting balances, printed myself. It was accompanied by a certified translation. This was accepted without question.   

Maybe this is acceptable within the above mentioned GDPR requirements because of the redaction.  I'm only writing so others know this is an available option.

I didn't have to notorize anything. My husband had to notorize 2 documents I submitted.  One stating our marriage wasn't a sham and another stating he owned our home and I was living there with him (this in lieu of some form of lease).

It seems from what I've heard that what's accepted as "good enough" documentation varies a lot depending which office you go to and even which person you deal with there. Good to know that it can be less complicated sometimes! I still have this joy ahead of me.

Thought I'd revive this old thread as I've got my Article 50 long term residency coming up for renewal in December. It would be good to clarify a few things around timing, as I'd like to ensure I get the 10 year permanent residency card rather than one of the lesser versions.

When should I apply? I will have been a resident 5 years in December. If I apply before then can I still get the 10 year card?

Is one of the new GHIC cards acceptable or does it have to be EHIC?

I have 8 years left on my British passport. Is that sufficient or should I renew it?

I'm currently in the UK and am likely to be flying in specifically to renew the card and collect it. Is it three days that you have to wait for collection if you opt for the express service?

Hi Jim,

Here's what's happened to me ...

Arrived Aug 2020, before Brexit.

Received my first residency card beginning of October 2020 - only valid for 4 years and 3 months.

Fast forward Jan 2025....

Went to Varna Immigration Office. They couldn't understand why the card was only issued for 4 years and 3 months and not 5 years.  They told me, despite being married, that I cannot apply for the ten year card, until I've completed the full five years, which will be in October.

So it looks as if you can apply around two weeks before your card expires, so, no, you cannot get it before.  In theory, I should have been able to get my 10 year card after 3 years of marriage, but the Immigration Department think otherwise..

In the meantime I've not been given a card valid to October, but another 5 year card! I'm going to apply again in October.

I was asked for an EHIC card, which I applied for and received from F I Bank, who handle EHIC applications.

8 years on your passport is fine. I only have two years left and that's still fine.

They have a number of services...

30 days, 14 days, 7 days and 3 days.

Hope this helps.

Ian

@cyberescue1

In theory, I should have been able to get my 10 year card after 3 years of marriage,

No, you shouldn't. Marriage has nothing to do with the Article 50 cards.

@SimCityAT

Agree with this. I think he is referring to the D marriage visa which I think you can get Permanent Residence after 3 years.

Once they have their permanent residence (10 years) for at least 3 years and married for at least 3 years (there is a theme here) they can apply for citizenship (or at least that's what I understand)

Thanks for the replies. I'm wondering if Ian's case is fairly unique due to the mix-up with the duration of his initial card.

Has anyone applied before the final few days of validity of the first permit and got a 10 year renewal?

Thanks for the replies. I'm wondering if Ian's case is fairly unique due to the mix-up with the duration of his initial card.Has anyone applied before the final few days of validity of the first permit and got a 10 year renewal? - @JimLahey

Although this is for Austria, the same rules apply

When to apply for 10 year card

You see, Austria has around 12,000 British citizens living there, so we created a website to help everyone with Brexit and added other useful information to it.

@SimCityAT

There's a clause, that says if you've been married to a Bulgarian citizen for a minimum of three years, you are entitled to either apply for citizenship, or a ten year card.

@SimCityAT There's a clause, that says if you've been married to a Bulgarian citizen for a minimum of three years, you are entitled to either apply for citizenship, or a ten year card. - @cyberescue1

But if you are married to a Bulgarian by right you shouldn't need a 5 or 10 year card.

....and of course it depends on how long you have lived in the country, I was given a 10 year card straight away.

@cyberescue1

I think it's, you have to be married for at least 3 years AND already hold permanent residence status to them apply for citizenship.

Ok, just found this thread and thought i should add my own experience especially as i just finished dealing with them for a renewal. So I arrived in Bulgaria August 2020 from the UK, yeah during brexit transition period and all. Stayed for a good 3 months in Varna, loved it, beach, weather, prices, were simply amazing. So come December i decided to go for the long term residency. Think the 5th December was going to make it 90 days i had been in the country so on the 3rd December 2020 i went in with a friend to apply for long term residency, and they gave us some forms and asked us for some things too, so we came back on the 4th with it. The forms both filled in Bulgarian language and in English, rental contract notarised at the notary office with my landlord present, she brought her docs too and signed somewhere and i paid 9 leva for the notary service. I had my UK EHIC card for insurance and my half Bulgarian, English friend who helped me fill forms and talk to the staff at the migration office.

We also had to get photocopies of my passport, EHIC and cant remember if there where more copies of my ID made now, which we used a service nearby the migration office that does photocopying. So handed all the forms, notarisation form and copies, passport images, copy of EHIC card, copy of passport. They simply verbally asked what i do for income, my friend told them i earn from British employment, they asked for nothing further. My friend did not even tell me this part until we left the office that they asked what i do for income and she just told them that response lol. So i said "oh right, cool".

Mind you, I was told i would need a Bulgarian account with money inside in expat groups, so i had opened one with DSK bank first thing upon entering Bulgaria and getting a tenancy agreement from my first landlord here, but Varna migration did not end up asking me for this, so I did not bother presenting one. FYI, the bank will need proof of address when you go to open one, hence tenancy agreement, and they accepted my British passport as proof of ID, remember we were still in transition mode then. But don't know if they will still accept British passport now, might need to be European ID if you don't have Bulgarian ID, but its worth trying still. Then i got my pic and fingerprint taken after submitting all requested docs, cant remember if it was taken same day or the day after, so on the 4th or 5th of December 2020, then on the 8th of December i went back to collect my 5 year residency which was sort of red, with the Article 50 writing on it.

Now fast-forward to November 2025, you know my 5 year long term residency is about to expire. So i inform my current landlord who i have been renting from for 3 years now in Yambol and my guy refuses to sign a notarisation for my address part of my application, so i am not impressed. Now I have to go hunting for new apartments and each time i find something nice and ask the agent if the landlord will sign for the notarisation for place of living, they come back with the landlord refused. So I posted in an expat group about this problem and some people came to my rescue.  They say this is common with landlords.

Now I first went to yambol (Jambol) migration office, as i was told by the legal adviser i hired to report that I had my card stolen first, seeing as i lost my card 2 years ago in UK and haven't bothered replacing it and was still going in and out of Bulgaria with my British passport without issues. But now I want to renew, i need to report the current. Yambol migration office said oh I should come next week, basically about a week before my current one expires, i can go for the 10 years permanent as I will be eligible to go for one next week (ONE WEEK BEFORE MY CURRENT ONE EXPIRES). But if i chose to do it like now now, then i haven't met the full 5 years condition and will only be eligible for another 5 year renewal. Then they asked me if i have my paperwork ready like notarization for proof of address, so i told them yeah it is for another city not yambol because my current landlord wont do one for me. They said ah then i need to go make my application in the migration office for that city instead and also there will likely be a fine of maybe around 50 leva for my missing long term residency card. But besides the fine, it should go smoothly.

So that day i took a BDZ 11pm night train from yambol to Blagoevgrad, costing around 27 leva one way, which was already planned with my legal advisor. Got there 8:30am, was picked up in taxi by my advisor and we went to an insurance place to get me the cheapest insurance we could find, 175 leva. This was prepped a day early in my name apparently has to be prepped a day in advance or earlier, to have it ready in time for migration application. I had also lost my EHIC card yup, and the replacement is sitting in the UK so no access to it in the moment. So the next option was just to get the 1 year insurance, incase you're wondering why i didn't use EHIC like i did first time round.

After that, my legal advisor had a proof of address notarisation form and we went to the notary and had it notarized together, she is the one also providing me with address too. Then we went to the migration office there in Blagoevgrad and omg the reporting of my lost/stolen card proved to be the most long winded process at the office, they already determined they would fine me, yet the form was taken ages to be approved by the person who signs off on it. We got there before 10am and they only completed that part at 4pm and it didnt help that my legal advisor had other commitments because when we left and came back, it seemed like they completely forgot about us unless we were present there to remind them we are STILL WAITING.

Anyway eventually by 4pm, the guy who signs off on it finally came out with forms, 10 page repeated forms i had to sign my name, date and signature for the lost card. Then he said the fine is 100 leva and i said hmm yambol said the fine would be like 50 leva. He said oh no its more, then he said because i will pay on the spot, it gets reduced to 80 leva. I just thought whatever just get it over with, i am exhausted and my feet is starting to swell up in pain now as i cannot stand for long periods of time.

So once the reporting lost residency card part was done, then we could kick start the process of renewal and ofcourse they did say it was still too early for me to meet the 5 year residency that allows me to go for 10 year permanent. At that point ofc i did not care, i did not plan on going back the next week to the office, another sleepless night train journey to and fro, not anytime soon thanks. So yeah this time it was similar to what i submitted in Varna in 2020, except this time they did ask for a photocopy of my Bulgarian bank card, and this is where my dsk bank account opened in 2020 finally came in handy. Mind you that card expired in 2024 and i rarely use the account because my income goes into my British account anyway. I think i only used that DSK account maybe 5 times.

They still accepted a photocopy of my 2024 expired dsk card regardless and they made me write a statement on it saying "I have enough funds to sustain myself in Bulgaria" and then put my signature, all done in front of them. And that was it for that part, i guess that was supposed to cover proof of income. Then after that i had to pay 7 leva for i have no idea what but my brain was already spinning from exhaustion by then so i paid, signed some log of payments made, each payment i made i was made to sign 3 places (minus the fine payment, which i signed, dated, put my name in about 10 pages).

Then I paid 36 leva for the 3 day service, got receipt of payment and went into a room/booth where they took my picture for my ID and fingerprints of both hands. You get a tiny receipt you are supposed to present when you come to collect your card, same as 2020 in Varna, i went with my passport and the tiny receipt to get it in 2020. This time i let my advisor keep the slip and i signed a power of attorney to my legal advisor to collect for me and post it to me in yambol. Power of attorney part was signed at the notary office. After, i took yet another night train on the same day back to yambol.... first thing on my agenda was SLEEP!

I hope after all that you got your card, Dani!

@Dani Lilian

It's not uncommon for landlords to refuse to register tenants at their rental property: it's difficult and onerous to get them deregistered when they move, and sometimes landlords are themselves registered at that address. Once they've gone through the hassle, they don't want to repeat the experience.  And of course, sometimes they might absent-mindedly forget to include the rental income on their tax return...😎

@Dani Lilian

PS It's not a very good idea to lose your card and not report/replace it - if you want to travel inside the EU you'll need the card to prove that you are a resident in BG. Without it, you could get seriously tangled up in the 90/180 limit and find yourself listed as an over-stayer, and banned from entry to any EU country..

@JimJ

Won't be banned, but you would have to go through a sh^t load of hassle and paperwork. I have come across so many people who have lost the card. I don't understand why?

Keep it in your wallet! If you lose your wallet, you will have to replace your cards, so while at it, replace your Article 50 Card.

Sorry to hear about the hassle!. When I replaced mine, in migration in Yambol they really couldn't have been more flexible and accommodating. They were amazing!!.

After reading all this thread, I have come to the following conclusion,

If you have all your stuff organised BEFORE trying to complete a task, it will make things so much easier and way less time-consuming, personally I am that guy who would have all the required stuff in a binder ready with multiple copies for the simple task of renewing residency, even may have some paperwork others have said they may accept for the just in case situation where they won't accept another document.

For a task like renewing your residency (a big thing) spending a few quid and some extra time BEFORE attempting to start the process will no doubt be a great investment when you fly through the process and get away far less stressed?

On the other hand, I might be talking "pish" and it won't help, but ill find out when it's my turn, and I'll be sure to update you all.

Congratulations on finally getting it sorted, but please look after your IMPORTANT documents, I lack sympathy for people who inflict pain on themselves.

Whenever I'm dealing with officials, I always take every piece of documentation with me. Even if I know they won't need it, it just saves a hell of a lot of time, and after hearing how 100's of people have got on with different offices, it's just as well I do, and I recommend others do as well.

My experience with red tape in a number of countries has taught me one very important lesson: take all even marginally relevant documents, but NEVER volunteer any information or document(s) that you don't have to.  Handing some petty bureaucrat a stick to beat you with is always a bad move...

Next step is citizenship....(well for those that are EU citizens or married to Bulgarian citizens etc. otherwise you have to give up your current passport to get the Bulgarian one).

Next step is citizenship....(well for those that are EU citizens or married to Bulgarian citizens etc. otherwise you have to give up your current passport to get the Bulgarian one). - @Zooldrool

There's a pretty stiff Bulgarian exam if you want to go down that route... 😎 

@JimJ

Well it's multiple choice and all the answers are in the paragraph or two of text shown. I tried a sample paper online and nearly just passed (and I really don't know the language, just enough useful words to be able to guess the answer. Just learn who, where, when, "which are the following is true" etc...gives you a chance to have a good guess at the multiple choice answer.

I also understand it's completely fee and you can have unlimited goes at it (every 3 months I think).

Good luck y'all!!