Lost documents in Bulgaria: what to do
If an ID card, passport or driving licence issued in Bulgaria is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you must report it promptly. According to the Ministry of Interior (МВР) page, the deadline is three days; the document is then declared invalid, which prevents misuse.
Official documents and institutions · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08
This is not legal or financial advice
Report within three days
Under the МВР page, if a Bulgarian ID card, passport or driving licence (свидетелство за управление на МПС) is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, the holder must within three days file a written declaration at the nearest district police department, the regional Ministry of Interior directorate, or the «Български документи за самоличност» directorate. On that declaration the document is declared invalid. An ID card or passport declared invalid cannot be declared valid again; if you find the document you must hand it in. Using an invalid document is a violation.
New document and timeframes
- ID card: you must take steps to obtain a new card within 30 days after it is declared lost or stolen.
- Passport and driving licence: you are not obliged to get a new one; getting one is at your discretion.
- For ID cards and passports, the ordinary service takes up to 30 days, the fast service up to 3 working days and the express service up to 8 working hours.
- Driving licence: ordinary up to 30 days, fast up to 10 working days, accelerated up to 3 working days; there is no express service.
- You cannot drive with a lost licence: the law requires the licence to be valid and not declared invalid as lost or stolen, and the МВР notes there is no substitute document while a new one is being issued.
Documents issued to foreigners
Foreigners' residence documents in Bulgaria are issued by the «Миграция» directorate of the МВР or by the «Миграция» units of the regional directorates; applications are submitted and documents collected at the same place. The ordinary, fast and express timeframes for foreigners' documents are given on the МВР page; we do not quote fees here, so check the current fee with the authority. The МВР page does not describe a separate procedure for a lost foreigner's residence document; the safest route is to report the loss in writing and apply at the «Миграция» unit (general suggestion). If your Turkish passport or ID is lost, you also need to contact your own country's representation; we do not describe those conditions here.
This page is not legal advice
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to report a lost document?
According to the МВР page, a written declaration must be filed within three days of loss, theft, damage or destruction.
Must I get a new passport immediately if mine is lost?
According to the МВР page, there is no obligation to obtain a new passport or driving licence; it is at your discretion. For an ID card you must act within 30 days after it is declared lost.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Министерство на вътрешните работи (МВР) — Най-често задавани въпроси: Български документи за самоличност — https://www.mvr.bg/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%81/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B9-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B8-%D0%B8-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8/%D0%B1%D0%B4%D1%81 · 2026-10-08
- Министерство на вътрешните работи (МВР) — Най-често задавани въпроси: Миграция — https://www.mvr.bg/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%81/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B9-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B8-%D0%B8-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F · 2026-10-08
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