Proof of address for foreigners in Bulgaria
The official pages we reviewed do not define a single “certificate of residence” for foreigners; their address in Bulgaria is established through address registration (адресна регистрация) carried out via the unit competent for the place of stay, and it is free. This is not legal advice; confirm the rules for your case with the authority.
Official documents and institutions · Last reviewed: 2026-10-07
This is not legal or financial advice
How address registration works
According to the Ministry of Interior's service record “Address registration of foreign nationals” (Article 28(3) of the Foreigners Act), the person who provided accommodation notifies the foreigners' administrative control service or the district police directorate in writing within 3 days, stating the foreigner's names, date of birth, nationality and identity document number.
Go to the unit
The host presents the passport or replacing document (if the foreigner does not appear in person) at the unit for the foreigner's place of stay. The record gives opening hours of 08:30–17:30.Two address cards are completed
The unit processes two address cards (адресна карта) on the prescribed form and hands one copy to the person who provided accommodation. So ask explicitly which copy you will receive as proof of registration.Result and validity
The service is delivered on the same day, no fee is charged, and the document is valid for the foreigner's period of stay. The appeal window is 14 days.
A different deadline: five days after entry
The EU Immigration Portal's Bulgaria page (1 April 2025) says five days are allowed after arrival to notify the authorities of the address. The service record places the duty on the host with a limit of 3 days; since the sources give different periods, ask the Migration Directorate in writing which applies to you, and work to the shorter one.
| Topic | Source | Says |
|---|---|---|
| Notification period (host) | Ministry of Interior service record | Within 3 days |
| Address after entry | EU Immigration Portal (1 April 2025) | 5 days |
| Fee | Ministry of Interior service record | None |
| Unit | Ministry of Interior service record | Foreigners' administrative control service / district police directorate |
A tenancy agreement is a separate document
Frequently asked questions
Is there a “certificate of residence” in Bulgaria?
The official pages we reviewed do not define a single document under that name. For foreigners, address registration and the residence card matter; which document is needed is set by the requesting institution.
Does address registration cost anything?
No. The Ministry of Interior service record states that no fee is charged.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- ИИСДА — Извършване на адресна регистрация на чужди граждани (МВР) — https://iisda.government.bg/adm_services/services/service_provision/22005 · 2026-10-07
- Avrupa Komisyonu — AB Göç Portalı: Bulgaristan'da çalışan işçi ve tek izin (sayfa tarihi 1 Nisan 2025) — https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/employed-worker-bulgaria_en · 2026-10-07
- Дирекция „Миграция“ — МВР: Други административни услуги — https://www.mvr.bg/migration/%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8/%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8/%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8-%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8 · 2026-10-07
Related topics
Address registration and personal number in Bulgaria
Why address registration comes before everything else: the municipality's role, permanent versus current address, and the difference between ЕГН and ЛНЧ.
Address registration for a residence permit
Where address registration sits in a residence file: the accommodation document, the accommodating party's three-day notification, permanent versus present address, and what to do after moving.
Do you need a rental contract for residence
Why a housing document is required for Bulgarian residence and address registration, what the contract must contain, and the landlord's role.
Collecting a Bulgarian residence card
After a positive decision come biometrics, personalisation and in-person collection. How the chain works and what to check when the card is handed over.
Your first steps after arriving in Bulgaria
What to do first after settling in: address registration, personal number, bank, insurance and health registration, in the order that actually works.