Registering with a GP in Bulgaria
Joining Bulgaria's public health system starts with one action: registering with a general practitioner (личен лекар). This page describes the administrative steps; it does not rate doctors.
Healthcare · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16
Find a contracted doctor first
You can only register within public cover with a doctor who holds a contract with НЗОК. The list of contracted doctors is maintained by the regional health insurance office (РЗОК) and is organised by locality. Three routes reach it: the НЗОК online directory, the РЗОК office for your region, and the medical centres or ДКЦ buildings in your neighbourhood. A doctor without a contract may still practise, but then the visit is entirely private and no public registration is created.
The registration steps
Check that the patient list is open
Every GP works to a cap on registered patients. If the list is full the registration is refused and you are pointed elsewhere.Bring identity and residence documents
Foreign residents bring the residence card or the document showing the personal number; Bulgarians bring the ID card.Sign the registration form
A first-choice form is completed with your details, insurance status and the doctor's stamp.Set up the health insurance booklet
The booklet is requested in some procedures and is processed at first registration.Keep a copy of the form
In any later dispute or change of doctor, this is the only document carrying the registration date.
What a GP actually does here
- They are the entry point to the system; a specialist appointment normally requires a referral issued by them.
- Renewal of prescriptions for ongoing therapy runs through this registration.
- Sick notes and several administrative medical documents are issued from this office.
- As a registered patient you enter the preventive check-up programme, whose scope is set by regulation.
- A GP is not obliged to treat an unregistered person — emergencies are the exception.
Changing your GP
A change is possible and is made during set windows in the year, announced by РЗОК. Filling in a change form at the new practice is enough; no consent or release from the previous doctor is needed. If you have moved city there is also a temporary-choice route that does not require waiting for the window, and the new РЗОК office explains it. If you cannot remember who you are registered with, the same office can look it up.
No clinical judgement here
This is not legal or financial advice
Frequently asked questions
I move between cities for work. Can I keep one GP?
Yes, registration is not tied to where you sleep each week. But routine appointments, referrals and paperwork all happen at that practice, so most people eventually register where they spend the working week.
Does the whole family register with the same doctor?
No. Each person registers individually and a parent signs for a child. Children are usually registered with a doctor holding paediatric qualification.
What happens while my GP is on leave?
Every practice names a substitute doctor and posts the details on the door. Your registration continues and nothing needs redoing.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Национална здравноосигурителна каса (НЗОК) — https://www.nhif.bg/ · 2026-08-16
- Министерство на здравеопазването — https://www.mh.government.bg/ · 2026-08-16
- Единен портал за достъп до електронни административни услуги (eGov) — https://egov.bg/ · 2026-08-16
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